Page 62 of Rainstorm

I find he’s very easy to communicate with and we soon get down to discussing the finer points of the agreement that Chase gave me.

“Your ex was very generous; the agreement looks good. Are you trying to get more money?” Sawyer asks. “Did you sign a prenuptial agreement? If he was unfaithful, we can go for a bigger payout.”

“He said that he wasn’t, but in any case, I’m not after more money. I just want everything to be fair, especially regarding the house. Chase invested a lot of money in it, so I don’t think it would be fair for him to lose it overnight.”

“Then you think it’s fair that he surprised you in the way he did with a lawsuit out of the blue?”

Ouch. Sawyer has touched on a very sensitive point. Way too sensitive.

I can’t actually bring myself to speak. A big knot has formed in my throat that’s almost choking me.

“It’s my duty as your lawyer to act on your instructions, but it’s also my responsibility to look after your best interests, so I have to ask why you’re hesitant to go ahead and sign this agreement now that I’ve assured you that it is in fact more than fair and reasonable?”

“Because, despite the way Chase has acted toward me, I still want to be fair to him. I don’t want to stoop to his level.”

After almost an hour of discussing the finer details, Sawyer accepts my terms for his response to the lawsuit, so he will go ahead and prepare the document, which means that no later than next Monday, Mr. Chase Holland’s lawyer will be hearing from us.

I then take the opportunity to ask Sawyer about his brother’s agency, and he confirms what Oliver has told me. It has a good reputation but since Oliver prefers to focus on the operational side of things, he’s been having some issues with the running of his office. I tell myself I can do this job. I may not have any office experience, but I did go to college where I double majored in communications and business management, and before I got pushed into the weather girl thing, my first job was as a production assistant, so I’m not totally clueless.

Next Sawyer calls his brother in to talk through his job offer. At the end I say yes, because what have I got to lose? At least I’ll be busy and occupied, which has to be better than sitting around wallowing in self-pity, although I have a feeling I’ll be walking into a nightmare by taking on the role, so I’m gearing myself up for a challenge.

A couple of hours later I get back to the apartment and find Ariel isn’t home, so I decide to go out by myself and grab some dinner to celebrate.

Because today has been a good day. No tears, no panic attacks, no Chase. Just feeling good about getting my feet back on firm ground again.

I wander along until I find myself in front of Seaport Village. I love it here, it was one of the first places we ever visited and for me it’s almost magical.

Red gables on the roofs, people wandering around, a gentle breeze caressing me, my skin grateful for the warmth of the sun.

Yes, no matter what, the sun still rises every day, filling me with life, giving me the energy I need.

You own the sunshine.

Yeah, I got this.

At the deli, I order a veggie wrap to go, then head down to the bay to try and clarify my thoughts about my new life. Maybe I need recasting, to become a new and better version of myself.

An independent new Roselynn.

I’ve never lived by myself. I went from living with my parents, then to the apartment they built for me, then to the townhouse Chase bought for us.

But I’ve never lived alone—how pathetic is that?

So maybe this kick in the ass is exactly what I needed to take control of my life and my future.

I want to talk with Ariel and tell her about the decisions I’ve made, and when I get back, I’ll go on one of those real estate websites to start looking for a condo.

But when I enter Ariel’s place, silence greets me.

Odd. I thought she’d be back by now, so I’m a bit unsettled as normally there’s loud music playing and delicious smells emanating from the oven.

But I get on with looking for a condo, taking notes, checking prices and locations. Southern California is an expensive place to live, and I’m on a budget.

Time passes and still no sign of my roomie.

Where are you, Ariel? I wish you’d let me know.

Oh my God, it hits me that only yesterday I was complaining about my mother and here I am behaving just like her.

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