Chapter 12
We’d agreed on the divorce, but he still hadn’t given me the papers. Instead, he ran to my parents, acting like the victim.
At some point, he added me back on social media.
But every message I sent him just disappeared into thin air. He never answered my calls either.
His mom, though–she got in touch. No surprise, she wanted to play peacemaker.
“It’s all Dean’s fault, honey. I’ve already talked to him. He’s willing to give you all his savings, and he promises it’ll never happen again…”
I sent her the video.
She watched it and tried to defend him. “Dean was just-”
I cut her off, my voice trembling. “Mrs. Carter, I love Dean. I really do. But I can’t hold on anymore after what he did.”
She went silent, probably thrown off by me calling her “Mrs. Carter.”
Before she could say anything else, I changed my tone. “Dean’s a public figure. I don’t want this to get ugly.”
“Please tell him: if he keeps ignoring me, I won’t hesitate to post that video online.”
I heard something crash on her end of the line.
Guess Dean was right there.
hung up.
That same day, the divorce papers finally arrived.”
I took the day off and went to the courthouse.
I waited outside for half an hour before Dean finally showed up.
Erica was in the passenger seat of his car.
She started to get out, but then spotted my mom glaring at her from across the parking lot.
Yeah–my mom came. She’d secretly booked a flight with help from a neighbor’s kid and showed up without telling me.”
Erica immediately pulled her leg back inside, probably scared my mom would storm over and call her a homewrecker in front of everyone. But my mom didn’t go after Erica. She went straight for Dean.
“Don’t you call me ‘Mom‘! The Johnsons don’t have a son–in–law like you!”
Dean’s face turned stormy. When my mom kept going, he finally snapped.
“If
your daughter hadn’t begged me, I’d never have married her!“?
That’s just Dean. Even when he’s in the wrong, he refuses to admit it.”
I grabbed my mom’s arm as her voice got louder and louder.
I didn’t want to listen to them fight. The divorce appointment I’d managed to book was hard to get–I wasn’t about to waste it.
The process went smoothly after that. The clerk told us to come back in a month to pick up our official divorce decree.
Dean stared at my tired, pale face for a long time.
He didn’t leave until my mom pulled me away and Erica called his name, looking annoyed.”
His ca: disappeared quickly after that.
I figured he’d wanted to parade Erica around, but my mom’s appearance definitely ruined that little show.
After they left, i went to a makeup counter to take off my makeup.
Since my mom had come all this way, I decided to take another day off to show her around
My boss wasn’t thrilled–work had picked up and my request was last minute.
I almost gave up, but half an hour later, my time–off request was approved.
Bryan had covered for me.
After my mom left and I got back to work, I sent Bryan a thank you message.
He replied with just two words: “No problem.”
I stared at those words for ten minutes.
It felt like a feather brushing against my heart
That’s Bryan for you. Always so reserved.#
I stuffed the scarf I’d bought for Dean into a gift bag, feeling a little guilty, so I picked out a tie to go with it &
A month later, I asked Bryan out for drinks.
He didn’t reply.
But honestly, I wasn’t disappointed.
We’re adults. The only thing you absolutely need is money
Half an hour later, he replied. “I’ll pick the place
Still short and to the point.
I texted back, “Okay.“&
And then, my doorbell rang.
