Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 74220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
It was tense between Bastien and me after that fight, if you could call it a fight. That seemed to be the number one cause of strife in our relationship, him wanting to hit the gas while I wanted to hit the brake.
But I didn’t want to hit the brake. I just didn’t want to go a hundred miles an hour.
However, Bastien had been in the driver’s seat from the beginning—and he wouldn’t give up the wheel.
It’d been a couple days since I’d seen him. I’d spent the entire weekend at his house, so I didn’t expect a sleepover for a while. He probably had work that needed his attention, details he didn’t share with me because I’d rather not know. But he texted me every day, several times a day. For a man who’s never been a boyfriend, he knew exactly how to do it. When we were apart, I didn’t worry about what he did behind my back. He must get offers left and right, but I wasn’t scared he would cash one of them in. Maybe it was because I trusted him without even realizing it.
When I got off work on Wednesday, I texted Adrien. Can I come by?
His dots were immediate, something that hadn’t happened during our marriage. Hours would pass before I’d get a response from him. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. I wasn’t needy and insecure—not like I was now.
Another thing I liked about Bastien. I never had to be needy and desperate for his attention or validation because he gave it before I had to ask. He let me know every day that I was the one woman on his mind. He was always available for my texts and calls, anytime—day or night.
I appreciated it more than words could say.
Yes, I’m home.
Okay, be there in ten.
I’m excited to see you.
I rolled my eyes before I pocketed the phone.
Ten minutes later, I arrived at the house that used to be mine, the smell exactly as I remembered, everything feeling familiar and foreign at the same time. Our wedding picture used to be on the wall in the entryway, but I noticed it was missing.
Adrien joined me a moment later, his eyes lit up like stars at the sight of me. He went straight for me, opening his arms to hug me.
I stepped back. “What the fuck are you doing?”
He stilled, all his joy quickly erased by confusion. “I—I’m sorry.” He took a few steps back, his mood noticeably souring when he didn’t get what he wanted.
I looked at the wall where the picture had been, its absence noticeable because of the empty space. “Looks like I’m not the only one ready for a new chapter.”
His eyes followed mine. “It’s not what it looks like. It fell and broke. I’m getting it reframed.”
“It just fell?” I asked skeptically. “An invisible earthquake came through?”
He sighed. “I didn’t take it down, Fleur. But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t pleased that you’re offended by the thought of me taking it down. That means there’s still something here.”
“You misunderstand me. If you’re taking down our wedding photo to hide it from the women you invite over but you won’t give me a divorce, that pisses me the fuck off. Don’t make me jump through hoops, Adrien.”
“That’s not what’s happening.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter.” I wasn’t going to argue with a liar. “I need that divorce.”
“Our next mediation is in three weeks—”
“I want it now,” I demanded. “No more games. No more procrastination. Just give me the fucking divorce.”
He watched me for a while, a blanket of fear masking his face. He swallowed before he spoke. “What’s the rush?”
“That’s my business.”
“Are you going to marry this guy or something?”
“Adrien, we aren’t getting back together. Do you understand that? Because I don’t think you do.”
He continued his stare, looking dead behind the eyes. “I told you he’s not good for you.”
“You were supposed to be, and look how that turned out,” I snapped. “Whether Bastien is in my life or not, I’m never going back to you. So stop with the games, and let’s just finish this.”
“What’s the rush?” he repeated.
“I said it’s none of your business.”
Despite his best efforts to appear calm, he lost his footing. “Did he ask you to marry him?”
“Adrien.”
“Answer me.”
“I’ve gone into this relationship with Bastien with restraint, and I don’t want to feel restrained anymore. I don’t want to be married anymore. I want to be divorced, I want to put this behind me, and I want to be fully invested in my new relationship. But that’s hard to do when I know I’m technically married to you.”
“It’s hard because you still feel something for me.”
“Trust me, that’s not the case,” I insisted. “I want to close this chapter in my life and open a new one with Bastien. The relationship is new and I’m in no hurry to rush to the finish line, but I want to be ready for when that moment comes.”