Page 70 of Operation Annulment
I feel like jumping up and down and screaming in victory. Nate is free from the demons of his past. She’ll never mess with him again. I still have questions about how Jess was able to leave things here, but we’ll get to that when he’s ready.
I also may have gone overboard on dinner. I had to watch a few YouTube videos on how to cook lobster tail, but this is day one of the rest of our lives together. I splurged and bought champagne—even though I’m a bit wary of drinking more than a glass.
Nicole was kind enough to give me some good book recommendations on how to heal after divorce and infidelity.“His ego was bruised from the infidelity of three years ago. Knowing the lengths Jess went to to get close to him again—well, it might trigger a relapse for him. You need to be there to boost his self-esteem.”
I rather enjoy boosting his self-esteem.
I hear the garage door rise and smooth down my dress. I left work early and went to a department store to purchase it. I’d initially balked at the price, but it was a special occasion, and he was worth every penny.
I turn with a smile as he walks in, and my heart drops. He isn’t smiling—in fact, he looks downright angry. I swallow down the feelings of uncertainty. “Hey, babe. How was your day?”
Nate doesn’t say a word before disappearing into the bedroom. I follow him and stand awkwardly in the doorway. “I made dinner for us—I even got champagne if I’m brave enough to give drinking another try.” I laugh weakly.
You’re rambling, Kate.
He loosens his tie and finally makes eye contact with me. “Did you see Jess today?”
I knew that she couldn’t be trusted to stay away from him. “I did—I gave her a nice warning, too.”
Which she ignored completely, it seems.
“I see.”
I can see that he’s hurting, so I cross the room and wrap my arms around his waist. His arms remain stiffly at his side, and my heart beats faster in panic. “I should have consulted with you first before handling it myself. I’m sorry.”
His hands move up to grip my upper arms, and I briefly relax before he pushes me away. “Get out.”
Wait… what?
“I get that you’re mad because I confronted her without you there, but please don’t push me away right now. You need me.”
He laughs bitterly, and my blood runs cold. “I need you? That’s fucking cute, Kate. You’re just some chick I enjoyed fucking—I never meant for it to go this far. Now, get the fuck out.”
“No. You told me you loved me. You don’t mean that!” My voice is small. Weak.
He shakes his head and sighs. “God, you really aren’t that bright for a therapist. Men will say anything to get laid.”
My chest tightens in agony. “Don’t say that. I don’t know what she told you, but don’t push me away.”
He runs his hands through his hair. “What she told me? Well, let’s see. Her jaw is wired shut right now, so talking is an issue for her. They were initially worried that she might have a brain bleed. What else? Oh right. She’d been raped repeatedly. She was still brave enough to turn over your emails to the police. Did you learn to give warnings from your biker club daddy? Is he the one who carried this shit out?”
My eyes fill with tears, and I shake my head. “I didn’t do any of that to her. I did?—”
He crosses his arms over his chest. “Did you not just proudly state that you gave her a warning? And now you’re saying you didn’t. Jesus, Kate! You’re so full of shit. You wanted to pretend that you were so fucking different, but what you’ve done is worse than anything she ever did. You knew I was a doctor the entire time—using me for my money. Unbelievable.”
“I didn’t do any of this! I didn’t know who you were!” I sob, my chest heaving with each labored breath.
Why won’t he listen?
“She’s pressing charges, so get ready for prison orange. Who knows, maybe Dakota will fuck up again, and you two can share a cell. And when I find out who you recruited, so help me, god, they will pay.”
I’m choking now—it’s like trying to breathe through a straw. I clutch my chest to force more air in and out.
He walks toward the door leading out to the garage. “Have you been like this your whole life—a fucking psychopath? No wonder your mother left you. I meant what I said. I want you and your shit gone from my life by the time I get back.”
The door slams shut behind him, and I drop to my knees on the carpet, completely eviscerated. I used to pride myself on my ability to let praise and criticism roll off my back, never allowing them to change who I was.
Until him.
