Page 79 of The Accidental Wife

I snuck into the apartment,not wanting to wake the girls because I couldn’t face anyone or answer any questions without breaking down. I didn’t sleep a wink. I tried so hard, just to get a moment of solace where my heart didn’t clench painfully at the thought of Cole. I just sat in the dark, knees pulled to my chest, tears falling down my face, rocking back and forth, desperately trying to pick up and put together the pieces to my heart. I sat watching the sun come up out my window, and I felt so utterly drained, mentally and physically.

I left the apartment before the girls woke up and drove back to Coles. I sat in the car staring up at the building for a while, dreading seeing him again. I had to find the strength somehow and pretend like I’m okay in front of him. Just walking into the apartment made my eyes water. I had to take a couple of deep breaths and count to ten to calm myself down.

I tiptoe to my bedroom, and just as I reach it, I hear Coles door open and his voice behind me. “Shayla?”

I bite back the tears and hold my breath so he couldn’t see my shoulders rising and falling. I feel his hand on my arm, and the touch that I once loved now hurt me.

“I’m fine,” I say, keeping the emotion out of my voice, but it quivers a little, and I shake his hold off my arm and walk to my bedroom, not daring to look at him because my eyes were drowned in tears.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” He presses following me, he grabs my arm and stops me, and I wince.

“Don’t!” I snap hotly before I could stop myself, my shoulders rising and falling quickly. I honestly felt as though my emotions were suffocating me. “Don’t,” I whisper and walk to my bedroom. I close the door behind me and lock it before I slid to the floor and sob into my hand silently.

“Shayla, what’s going on? Did something happen?” I hear his voice from the other side of the door. “Shayla, come on sweetheart, unlock the door. Talk to me.”

I wipe my tears and press my head against the door. “Cole, I’m fine,”

“No, you’re not. Did something happen to your mum? Is she okay?” He asks, concern evident in his voice. “Shay? Talk to me please, what’s happened?”

“My mums fine Cole. We just had an argument, and I’m a little upset, that’s all. Please just leave me alone for a bit, okay.” I lie, burying my head in my hands. “Please just go.” I whimper.

“Shay…” I hear him sigh and could picture him standing there with his head pressed against the door.

“Cole, please, let me be.” I sigh and hear him shuffling on the other side of the door.

“Okay, I’m here when you want to talk.” I hear him say, and I shake my head as I hear his footsteps retreat. Shit, shit, shit! I was supposed to keep it together, but I fell apart the moment I’m around him. I recall the promise I made my Dad. I’ll bury my emotions and slap a smile on my face—no one but me will know that I’m slowly dying inside.He’ll never know how much he’s wrecked me.

After figuratively shoving my emotions into a box and locking it away, I had a long shower and got ready for work. Cole was already dressed and waiting for me, pacing back and forth while rubbing his neck. When I walk out of my bedroom, he stops and looks at me. Our eyes meet, and I feel my insides quiver, but I force it back down and walk toward him. “Are you okay?” He questions, thinning his eyes in scrutiny.

I lick my lips and force myself to hold his gaze, “I’m okay.” He frowns a little. He doesn’t believe me. I wouldn’t believe me either if I stood there looking at myself. Drained, eyes were swollen and rimmed red. “Um, you can go. I have something I have to take care of before I make my way to the office.” I tell him as I walk past him. Cole watches me before he catches my hand and pulls me back.

“I’ll drive you wherever you need to go.” I shake my head and look up at him.

“No, that’s okay. I’ll drive myself. I’m not going to be very long. I’ll see you at the office, okay?” I say and smile at him. He looks into my face and blinks. I pull my hand out of his and walk to the front door. I open it and walk out of the apartment. I heave a sigh when he doesn’t follow me and rush to the car to leave as quickly as possible.I don’t even wait for the elevator; I take the stairs.

Thirty minutes later, I was sat waiting for Franc at his office. “Miss Hart, Mr Clement, will see you now.” I nod and smile politely at the young receptionist and walk to his office. Franc stands and moves over to me when I walk in and shakes my hand.

“Miss Hart, welcome. Please, take a seat.” He greets, gesturing to the leather chairs opposite his marble desk. “How can I help you?”

I sigh and lick my lips, “Before I tell you the reason I’m here, I need to know if the client/lawyer confidentiality applies to me too? I know Cole is your client technically, but does it apply to me as well?”

Franc frowns and leans forward, placing his arms on his desk regarding me seriously, “Yes, it applies to you too. Is everything okay? Are you in some sort of trouble, Shayla?”

I shake my head and tuck my hair behind my ear, “No, nothing like that. Uh, as you know, our divorce date is in less than two weeks, and I… I want to sign away my rights to a settlement. There’s a clause in our agreement that I will get a figure of two million after the divorce.”

I say, and Franc frowns deeply.

“Shayla, as your lawyer, I strongly urge you to rethink this decision. If you sign away your rights to a settlement, you won’t get a single cent.”

I sigh, “I know Franc, I don’t want anything. I just want to get the divorce out of the way as quickly as possible.” I explain, and Franc nods, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully.

“All right, if you’re sure this is what you want?” He probes, and I nod in response. “Very well, I’ll get the papers, and you can sign them.”

“There’s one more thing.” I say, and Franc nods, looking at me questioningly, “Cole can’t know about this.”

Franc nods and laces his fingers together, “He will find out on the day because the judge will announce that there’s no settlement before he grants your divorce.” He explains, and I nod in understanding.

“That’s fine. If you can get the papers, I’ll sign them now.” I tell him. Franc nods and walks out of the office. I sat there staring at the diamond ring on my finger until Franc walks back in moments later with papers in his hand.

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