Page 57 of The Ring Thief
Later that evening, Dad and I are in his office, sitting in silence as we process the bomb that’s been dropped on us. He finally breaks the silence, asking, “Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“I think so,” I murmur, and he throws an unreadable look at me.
“If you’re having doubts, we can postpone. Today has been enough already. I wouldn’t blame you for wanting to take some time. Or if you wanted to reconsider your decision.”
I roll my lips inward. “No,” I say after a moment, mytone definite. “This needs to happen. It’s not about erasing Declan from my life. He’s stamped himself into every molecule of my being, and I don’t think there’s any getting him out.” I smile dryly. “But this marriage will never feel real to me, not after the way it started. It’s a reminder that everything that came before was a lie, even if things changed for him. If I give Declan another chance, I want to go into it with a clean slate.”
He hums thoughtfully. “I think I understand. Just know, whatever your choice is going forward, we’ll be there for you.”
I lift my brows. “We?” I echo curiously, biting back a smile when his cheeks heat.
“You know what I meant,” he retorts grouchily. “Julie is family.”
“She is,” I agree sweetly, letting a hint of smugness shine through. He shoots me a dark look before clearing his throat. “Do you think I should forgive Declan?”
He’s quiet for a long moment, his expression contemplative. “I’m all for a bit of torture.” He flexes the fingers on his right hand, staring down at his knuckles with a strange look. “But not when you’re just torturing yourself.”
“You think that’s what I’m doing?” I ask, taken aback.
“Not on purpose,” he replies. “I loved your mother, and that love cost me more than I could ever imagine.” His eyes go distant, still locked on his hand. “And her betrayal cost me even more. But if she’d come back…if she hadn’t run…” He looks up at me, his expression softening. “I might have taken her back.”
“Really?”
His smile is small, and it doesn’t reach the heaviness in his eyes. “On the condition she finally cut ties with Donald.”
I lean over, resting my hand on his. “It’s time to stop torturing yourself, too,” I say gently. “And maybe this is the closure we both needed.”
“Maybe,” he murmurs, and we fall back into an easy silence.
After a while I get up and stretch. “I’d better go home,” I say. “Not sure I’ll get much sleep tonight, but tomorrow’s a big day.” I meet his eyes when he says nothing, and find him watching me with a gleam in his eyes. “What?”
“There’s something else I wanted to tell you.”
I tense, frowning down at him. “Hasn’t there been enough surprises for one day?”
“Probably, but this isn’t a bad one.” I don’t blink and he adds, “I don’t think.” When I still don’t react, he shrugs, announcing, “I’m not selling Hi-Tech. It’s just not a good time, marketwise. And I have a new intern to train. It would be a waste to let this one’s potential go.”
“A new intern,” I repeat slowly, my brows dipping together. “Who is it?”
He doesn’t answer, giving me a long, meaningful look. “I think it’s better you figure that out for yourself.”
CHAPTER 26
Lily
The warmth of the sun bathes my face as I step down the concrete stairs of the courthouse. There’s not even the slightest breeze marring the day, the sky above me cloudless, a vibrant blue that blazes down so brightly my eyes water. The beauty of it feels symbolic, a reassurance; the universe whispering to me that I did the right thing, even when there’s a swell of sadness in my chest.
At my side, my lawyer, Laurie, readjusts her hold on her leather case, watching me with a small smile.
“No regrets, then? Because there’s no return policy on what happened today.”
“No regrets,” I murmur, meeting her dark eyes. “Not yet.” I turn fully, holding my hand out for her to shake. “Thank you for your help.”
“No sweat,” she returns, her grip firm. “It was pretty simple when the defendant provides all the evidence and doesn’t contest a thing. My next case won’t be so easy. A messy divorce with two kids. But whatever pays the bills, am I right?”
I give her a tight smile, not sure what to make of that. “Right.”
“Well, you have my card if you ever need my services again.”
