Chapter 2
At eight o'clock that evening, I was sitting in the living room, waiting for Gavin to come home.
The house contract and the financial statements I'd just printed out sat on the coffee table.
"Grace, let's talk," Gavin said, settling across from me. He looked utterly exhausted.
"Sure, let's talk," I said, opening up the financial statements. "Why don't you start by explaining how all of this money was spent?"
"Grace..." Gavin started.
"6 million dollars, Gavin," I said, locking eyes with him. "You spent 6 million dollars, all for Zoe."
"I can explain..." Gavin replied, trailing off.
"Explain what, exactly? When did things start between you two? Or maybe you'd rather explain whether the baby she's carrying is really yours?" I shot back.
Gavin fell silent.
"So that's your answer, huh? Just silent admission?" I stood up, staring him down. "Gavin, we've been married for three years. Have you ever so much as spent 6 million dollars on me?"
"It's... it's different," Gavin mumbled.
"Oh, it's different?" I threw back. "What, because she's young and pretty? Or do you just like the way she plays cute for you? Is that it?"
"Grace, can't you be a little more reasonable?"
"Reasonable?" I let out a dry laugh. "You cheated and knocked up your lover, and you expect me to just swallow it and play nice?"
"It's not what you think..."
"Then what is it? Tell me!" I snapped, losing it completely.
Gavin stood up and tried to grab my hand. "Grace, can you calm down for a second? Let's just talk."
I yanked my hand away. "Don't touch me!"
"I swear, there's nothing going on between me and Zoe like you think. The baby..." Gavin's voice trailed off again.
"So what about the baby, huh? It's not yours?"
"It... it's mine," Gavin muttered, finally admitting it.
My heart felt like it was being torn apart.
"B-but it was just a one-time thing. I was drunk..." Gavin stammered.
"That's enough," I cut him off. "I don't want to hear any more of your excuses."
"Grace, I'll end things with her, I swear. I won't have anything to do with the baby. Just give me another chance, please?" Gavin pleaded desperately.
"No," I said, my voice steady. "Gavin, I've already contacted a lawyer. Let's get divorced."
"No way!" Gavin blurted out, almost yelling. "I'm not agreeing to a divorce."
"You're not agreeing?" I shot back, staring him down. "Do you seriously think I'd stay with a cheater?"
"Come on, Grace, there's still something between us. Don't throw it all away just because you're upset."
"Something between us?" I scoffed. "Did you ever think about us when you were busy getting another woman pregnant behind my back?"
"I was wrong, I really am. Just give me another chance."
"I've already given you plenty of chances," I said, picking up my bag. "Just after we married three years ago, I caught you acting way too familiar with another woman at work. You brushed it off, told me it was all for business.
"Two years ago, I found pictures of another woman on your phone. You claimed it was a client's daughter, and you were just helping her land a job.
"A year ago, I saw you sneaking out in the middle of the night. You said it was all for work.
"Gavin, I've given you so many chances and you never cared."
I walked to the door, turned back, and shot him a look. "The lawyer will be in touch with you tomorrow. I've already drawn up the divorce papers."
"Grace," Gavin called out, rushing after me. "You can't just walk out like this."
"And why not?" I shot back.
"This is our home," Gavin shouted.
"No, this is your home with Zoe," I said, getting into my car. "Starting now, I won't ever step foot in here again."
As I drove off, I saw Gavin standing in the doorway, his face full of disbelief.
Guess he thought I'd just forgive him again, like I always did after a fight.
But not this time.
I headed straight to my mom's house.
"Sweetheart, why are you here so late?" My mom rushed out to greet me.
"Mom, I don't want to go back," I choked out, throwing myself into her arms. The tears finally broke free.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Don't cry. I've got everything sorted," my mom said, gently patting my back. "Javier Tucker will be here at ten tomorrow morning. He's the best divorce lawyer in Holbridge."
"Mom, am I a failure?" I asked.
"Don't be silly. The real failure is that scumbag Gavin who didn't know to cherish you," Mom said, her tone fierce. "Mason women never put up with suffering."
I started, "But I..."
"But what? You've got a job, a career, a family who loves you. Trust me, you'll do just fine without him," Mom reassured.
I nodded and brushed away my tears.
Mom was right. I ran my own fashion design studio, pulling in millions a year. I was self-made—I didn't need anyone to lean on.
Just then, my phone started ringing.
The name flashing on the screen was Gavin.
I let it ring.
He called again and again. Every call went straight to voicemail—I didn't answer a single one.
Then Gavin started blowing up my phone with texts.
Gavin: [Grace, where are you?]
Gavin: [Can we talk at home, please?]
Gavin: [I already made Zoe quit her job.]
Gavin: [Grace, please don't shut me out.]
Reading his messages made my skin crawl.
So now he was freaking out? Where was all this panic when it actually mattered?
Without a second thought, I blocked him.