Page 13 of The Divorce

Seth

My mother was an evil genius to have planned this entire charade. Yet she sat on Kat’s couch, sipping her tea while looking like an angel. My Dad still didn't look too happy with me, but he relaxed when he noticed my arm around Kat. Edward, on the other hand, was icy with me. We threw Saul under the bus, but he deserved it. He was a nasty bastard who hadn't averted his gaze from my naked wife while she was in peril.

“Oh, I’m glad you're here, Seth. I don't understand any of this,” Sadie said as she stood up and looked at me in relief.

“Life can be unpredictable, but tenacity and communication are vital in a marriage,” my Dad said, but his eyes were on me.

“It’s all on me, Sadie,” I told my mother-in-law. “I’m working on ensuring I don't mess up again. Katya had every right to call me out for my behaviour.”

Sadie frowned at Kat, and I tightened my arm around her to pull her closer.

“But all this talk of a—divorce, I don't like it,” she said, pausing as if she couldn't bring herself to say the word.

“It’s on pause, Mum. You didn't need to come down. Like Seth said, we are working things out,” Katya said as she placed her arm around my waist.

Instantly, a satisfied look entered my mother’s eyes as she took in our unified stance.

Mission accomplished.

∞∞∞

I kissed my mum as she was leaving, but she grabbed my ear and pulled on it.

“I did my part. You owe me my grandchild in nine months,” she hissed before she let me go.

I frowned and rubbed my ear to glance at my dad, who had a filthy smirk on his face.

“Get cracking, Seth,” he said.

My mum smiled at me and patted my cheek as she mouthed nine months. She twirled around, and my Dad held his arm out for her. The Jeffries had said their goodbyes and were waiting beside the lift. I shivered and shut the door but jumped to find Katya behind me.

“You should have given Saul two black eyes,” she growled, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Ah, you know he has a big mouth, love. He can't help himself,” I said because she knew all the stories from our childhood.

“How did you get here so fast?” she asked as her expression softened.

“I’m working from home most days,” I said with a smile.

“You are?” she said, shocked by my revelation.

“I don't want to be a part-time husband or Dad,” I said, trying to sow the seed for our children because my mother was fucking scary when she wanted to be, and the clock was ticking.

She smiled broadly before she hugged me again.

“Have you had lunch yet?” she asked.

I was another step closer to getting the divorce tossed out and giving my wife the family she once dreamed of.

“No, I didn't get the groceries in, and I’m starving,” I said, laying it on thick.

She tutted at me but took me through to the kitchen.

The stage was set. I had eyes in her bedroom, and her birth control pills were switched out. All I had to wait for was her egg to be released and her womb to ripen. Eliza could keep the apartment for all I cared because I only wanted my wife back home where she belonged.

∞∞∞

“And you expect me to take the fall?” Saul said.