Page 92 of Papers Don't Lie

Kendrick dials my number, and as much as I’m not in the mood to reply, it must be important.

“I just talked to your lawyer, and it’s bad, Kai,” he murmurs, a tone of anger detectable in his voice. Since Esmeray disappeared, Kendrick stopped being my employee and finally became my friend.

What could be worse than not having her by my side? Nothing.

“Tell me what happened,” I instruct, holding my breath as he forms his words.

Kendrick sucks in a breath. “You’re no longer married to Esmeray. I’m sorry.”

In an instant, I throw myself onto my feet, distracting Alister but not giving a shit. “What are you talking about? I didn’t sign any divorce papers.”

“I have the document right here, and it has both of your signatures, Kai.”

I shouldn’t be surprised considering how badly he wanted her or that he’s part of the Italian mafia, but I can’t contain it. It’s been less than forty-eight hours, and my existence in her life has been already erased.

And all of that just because he holds an unnatural amount of power and can do whatever he wants with a flick of his fingers. Despite that, I’m more than sure that if I find where he is, he’s a dead man and no statute can save him.

My chest heaves. “Did she sign it?” I whisper, wanting to know but afraid to find out.

He sighs in the speaker. “I don’t know. He falsified your signature. He could’ve done the same with hers.”

That might be true, and for now, even if it’s a lie, it’s a relief to hear. “Anything else?” I ask, and when he’s silent for a minute, I feel the need to insist. “Kendrick, tell me.”

“She’s… she’s married to him now."

She’s what?

I lean down on my desk, the air refusing to get out of my lungs. I fight to breathe, but it’s all in vain.

She’s married to Carter? Did he force her, or did she want to get married to him? Did I scare her that badly to make her feel like she’s disgusted to wear my name?

Goddamn it.

The veins on my head pump, and I feel all the blood in my body rushing to my head, my vision slowly blacking out.

“Graves? You alright?” a masculine voice asks, and I try to push him away with my hand, trying to transmit that I’m fine.

Truth is, I’m not.

Perspiration glides on my forehead and grips my neck tightly. The only thing I hear is my desperation for air.

“Kai-Kai?” is the last thing I hear before my head falls on my back, the world darkening around me.

FIFTY-ONE

KAI

“Make sure he eats and drinks a lot of water. He should be fine in a few days,” the doctor Tristan called over says, sitting up from the chair he dragged next to my bed after he forced me to rest.

There’s no reason for me to stay in bed. I’m not tired. I’m worried. I’m broken, but not tired.

I nod, acting like I agree. “Thank you, Dr. Will.”

He pats me on my back before he walks outside, wishing me a quick improvement. As soon as the door clicks shut, I get on the side of the bed, ignoring the nauseous feeling. Tristan immediately pushes me on my back.

“Don’t even think about it,” he murmurs.

If I had remembered that today was the last Sunday of the month and that my family was coming, I would’ve called to cancel and go on with finding Esmeray as quickly as possible.

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