Page 39 of Legally Yours

“I am set in my decision, Liam,” she says, but her eyes get glassy and wet.

“Did I do something wrong?” I say, growing more pained by the second, the agony spreading from my heart through my chest. The dread in my stomach mingles with the anxiety I feel. I hate that my intuition and gut knew before I did.

She shakes her head.

“What is wrong about us? Are we not okay? Do you not enjoy our time together”

She just stares at me and lets out a frustrated, choked sob.

“Did I do something? Baby, we can talk about this and work it out.” My eyes soften, though I feel them stinging with tears, too.

She just shakes her head more quickly.

“Did you want me to change? I can do that for you. You have to understand that I will do anything and everything for you, Cassandra. Trust me,” I say quickly.

She just brings her hands to her face and shakes her head no.

I see Cassandra’s eyes grow misty, and she bats her lashes. “Look, David really did a number on me,” she says, letting out a small huff.

I get up and move to sit next to her on the couch. I slide in close and lift my hand to her jaw. “I am not David. You are defined by so much more than your relationship with him,” I say, catching an escaped teardrop. “You have been through so much, and you have lived, and you learned, and you know your worth,” I reassure her.

She meets my gaze and stares intently in my eyes. My breath hitches in my throat, and I feel her warmth seeping back into me. My Cassandra.

“Please think about the divorce. My mind is made up.” She takes a sharp inhale and walks to the front door.

I am left there frozen and speechless. I quickly stand and follow her to the front foyer.

“Cassandra, please,” I say, and it almost comes out in a whimper.

She turns to me with pity written all over her face and sad eyes. She holds the door with one hand and has her keys in the other. “I’m sorry. My decision is final.” She gently shuts the door behind herself and leaves.

Just walks out of my life.

I know for certain I need Cassandra in my life. I know she feels this, too. Whatever is stopping her can be solved. There is a solution for everything, right?

33

LIAM

Isit at the local coffee shop just ten minutes from our home. I haven’t seen or heard from Cassandra in two days, and it has been the longest two days of my life. I stare intently at the steam rising from my bitter, black coffee that seems to encompass my mood right now.

The aroma of coffee and the loud grinding of fresh coffee beans is usually enough to lift my mood, but I still feel empty and cold. I run my hand over my stubble that I have not felt like shaving in days, and I rest my head in my hand.

I glance at the elegant clock in the quaint café that reads noon. I had texted Cassandra to meet me here so we can talk, and I pray that she shows up. I stare at my reflection in the window. My hair is disheveled, my eyes are red and baggy, and my five o’clock stubble is looking more like nine o’clock scraggle.

I peek down at my phone, hoping maybe she texted me in my moment of reflection. Besides work emails, my phone is dry. Then I hear the ding of the overhead bell sound out. I look up and see my beautiful Cassandra.

Her eyes wander around and settle on me. She pastes on a smile, and her glow shines. I want to see that light every day. I hope she changed her mind. She looks as bright as ever, though her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

I stand up and greet her with a hug, breathing her in. “Good afternoon, Cassandra.”

She pulls away, taking her warmth and sweet scent with her, “Hi.”

I move around her to pull out her seat, motioning her to sit down.

“Thank you,” she says as she takes a seat.

I intertwine my hands and bounce my leg. “How are you?”