Page 64 of Possession

Anger boiled in my belly, and my eyes pricked with resentment, but I wouldn’t let a tear fall, I wouldn’t let him know how much he’d hurt me. “You have no room to talk, you had an affair. You’re probably still with her. I bet the church counsel loves that.”

“They excommunicated her for breaking up our marriage.” He was smug.

“You just threw her away like me.” I was indignant.

“No, she’s still around. She’s useful on the nights I need her.”

Bile crept up my throat. “You’re a horrible person.”

He laughed.

“And you’re still married to me in the eyes of God, tell me, Paige, does one sin beget another. I cheated, but, now, so have you… you went straight from my bed to his, don’t—”

I pulled the phone from my ear and squeezed it with every bit of strength I had in my grip as I screamed under my breath.

I hate him.

I hate him.

I hate him.

“We’re even,” he said as I brought the phone back to my ear.

“Then give me a divorce.”

Silence again. His breathing was all I could hear and it increased with each second that ticked by, I’d gotten to him.

“I’ll bring the papers on Wednesday. I don’t need a whore for a wife.”

The line went dead. He’d thought his last barb would injure me, but as I lowered my phone from my ear I smiled. He was giving me a divorce. He was done toying with me.

I won.

Before I pocketed my phone, I sent Clark a final text, giving him the address of The Gallery and telling him I’d be there all day on Wednesday. I dropped my arms to my side and raised my chin. My eyes on the heavens, I whispered, “Thank you.”

Declan’s mother’s house was exactly the same. That warmth, that steadfast, deep brown, the dingy walls, the worn carpet… I was home.

He squeezed my hand with his as we walked into the family room. “She’s gotten frail since Pop died, be prepared,” he spoke quietly under his breath, and I met his eyes with a nod.

I hadn’t brought up my phone call with Clark on the ride over, Declan was too excited to be bringing me home again. I wanted to just live in the moment. I’d tell him after.

“Declan, is that you? Did you bring her, honey?” His mom’s voice was the same, but was edged with that certain breathlessness that came with age.

Declan chuckled as she came out of the hallway and smiled. I gathered myself as her appearance hit me in the chest. I let my mouth mirror hers as she approached me. Her shoulders had rounded so severely she seemed to have shrunk in stature, as if she was bearing a great weight all this time. Her hair was white and short, her skin thin, like vellum, and her blue eyes seemed almost milky in the light. She’d had the boys late in life, but not that late, she’d only be seventy-two if I was remembering correctly.

“You don’t look a day over seventeen, Paige.” She grinned. “It’s good to have you home.” She took my hand in hers and her bones felt brittle. I held her hand like it was precious glass, hoping some of my warmth would fill her pulse.

“It’s good to be back. It looks exactly the same,” I said releasing her hand and looking around the room.

“Is that a good thing?” She laughed and Declan smiled.

“It really is.” My throat contracted as she stared at me, her smile reaching her eyes. She’d always welcomed me with open arms, unlike my own parents.

My conversation with Clark had probably been reported back to them. Maybe they’d call me tomorrow so I wouldn’t have to call them. My smile dimmed.

“Are you okay?” Declan whispered and his minted breath brought me back to a happier place.

“Just feeling nostalgic.”

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