Page 102 of The Ruthless and the Strong

As soon as I got to the last page and signed and dated the last spot that needed my signature, there was a sense of freedom. I felt like the weight that had been pressing down on my chest was finally lifting, and I never knew how much it had been until it was suddenly gone.

I closed the package and looked down at it, tears forming in my eyes. They dripped down my cheek and hit the folder in two little dots, just by the letter D in the word DIVORCE printed in the center.

It was done.

I didn’t know if I was crying because I was sad or because I was happy. I pushed the folder toward him without looking up at him.

Sam moved his hand to the folder, but instead of pulling it away, he covered my hand with his. I looked down at it.

“I’m sorry,” I said, pulling my hand away. He didn’t say any more, but he stood. I stood too, and solemnly, I walked him out the door. The sun was just beginning to set, creating a kaleidoscope of color in the sky.

I moved outside with him but stood on the porch. His eyes lingered on me for a bit before he turned and walked to his car.

“Sam?”

He paused in his step before turning back to me. I hated the hope I saw in his eyes then, and I hated that I might disappoint him with my words, but this wasn’t about him or me anymore.

“Do you think you would have time to see Hunter? I know he misses you.”

He let out a small breath, and his gaze hardened. “What about you?”

I took a step back when he took one forward. “What?”

“What about you? Do you even miss me at all?”

I shook my head. “Sam. This isn’t about us anymore. We’re divorced.”

“I didn’t even want a divorce, Lizzie!” he yelled.

I took another step back from him, even if I could see the regret coming into his eyes instantly.

“Baby,” he said, “I didn’t want a divorce. I still love you.”

“I’m not good for you.”

“I don’t care.”

He moved closer to me then, and when he pulled me down on the porch and into his arms, I didn’t stop him, even as I stood there, stiffening in his arms.

“Sam,” I said. “You have to let me go.”

He tightened his arms around me. I moved my hands up to his chest and pushed him. It took me a few tries before I moved him away from me. His eyes were rimmed red from unshed tears.

“You’re so cruel,” he whispered to me.

“I’m sorry. But this isn’t about us anymore. This is about Hunter. I think you should see him while you’re here.”

“I don’t want to see Hunter,” he spit out.

“What are you talking about?”

I closed my eyes when I heard the front door to Max’s house open. I knew he was home. He’d told me so, told me he would be here when I got everything settled, but I had asked him to stay inside his house. I didn’t want Sam to see him.

“Lizzie, is everything okay?” Max asked.

I opened my eyes to see Sam take in Max, clear hatred in his eyes.

“Everything is fucking fine. You don’t have to be here while I talk to my wife,” Sam said, moving closer to Max.

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