“So?” Asta drew out, not connecting the dots yet.
“So, there is no reason for me to be married to Agotia anymore. My lawyer said he could start the divorce paperwork, and I could return home in a few days and put this entire mess behind me."
I slumped in my chair, putting my head in my hands. I didn’t want any of that anymore. I didn’t want to separate from Agotia. Luckily, Asta didn’t need me to spell it out for her.
“Have you told Agotia?”
“About the phone call?” I spoke into my hands. “No. I came down here as soon as I hung up.”
"No, not that. Have you told her you love her and want to turn this fake marriage into a real one?"
I looked up, still shocked that she seemed so-non-pulsed about this whole story. She continued.
"Oh, Alex. I knew from the moment you walked in with her, declaring that she was your wife, that the whole thing was a ruse. I was not born yesterday, despite my appearance." She grinned while gesturing to her snow-white hair. "I know, and I think you do too, that your feelings for her go beyond a business relationship."
“How do you know that?”
"The way you look at her is the same way your grandfather used to look at your grandmother—adoration, respect, and love. You would not have been so upset at the thought of Agotia betraying you if you did not care for her. And you would not have walked down to my kitchen for advice if you wanted to divorce her. You are a smart man, so I will not treat you differently. You simply need to be honest with yourself."
“What do I do?”
"The same thing you do when any business deal goes south. Strategize, devise a plan, and then carry it out."
I nodded, the wheels in my mind already spinning quickly.
“I think, Asta, that I need to date my wife. Starting now.”
Chapter twenty-four
Agotia
Ilookedupfrommy book, expecting to see Alex walking in at any moment. He had been gone much longer than I thought he would be. I waited a few more minutes before I put my book down and padded to his office. Perhaps, it was a business call that needed more of his attention. Either way, I wanted to ensure everything was okay and that he was returning to the library. These few precious hours we spent together in the evenings quickly became my favorite part of the day, and I did not want to give them up.
I peeked around the corner of his office door, thinking I would find him at his desk, but the room was dark and empty, as were our bedroom and the bathroom. He seemed to have disappeared until I heard voices coming from the kitchen. I smiled, thinking he had gone in search of a midnight snack. As I got closer, his voice grew louder and clearer, and I found myself frozen at his words.
"I just got a phone call," he sounded tired as he said, "from my lawyer. As it turns out, Bridget was lying about the pregnancy. I have already decided to keep that information private and send her a simple cease-and-desist letter instead. I am free of her."
“So?” Asta questioned, and I was grateful for it. My heart pounded as I waited to hear his response.
Part of me wanted to push out of the shadows and demand a full recount of what was happening. But the more significant part, the part that won, prompted me to stay where I was so that no one else would see my reaction to whatever he said next.
“So, there is no reason for me to be married to Agotia anymore. My lawyer said he could start the divorce paperwork, and I could return home in a few days and put this entire parenthesis behind me."
My heart plummeted. I tried to suck in a breath, but it seemed like every part of me had stopped working from the moment he said the word ‘divorce.’
“Have you told Agotia?”
I didn’t wait this time to hear how Alex would answer Asta’s question. I sprinted down the hall to our shared bedroom instead, my heart thundering so loud that I couldn't hear much else. Tears rolled down my face as I pulled out a suitcase and threw my things inside it. I wouldn't be kicked out of the house if he divorced me. I had more pride than that.
As I packed, I started to berate myself. I don't know what else I had expected. I knew from the beginning that this situation was a business deal - nothing more. One kiss didn't change that. However, the last few weeks together were so harmonious; somewhere along the way, it had stopped feeling like we were playing pretend. It had started to feel like real couple life, and I wanted it to be that more than anything. It was clear from the conversation that I had overheard that Alex did not feel the same way.
Angrily, I wiped the tears from my face. I refused to cry about this, to allow Alex to break my heart. This was a business deal, and I was determined to act professionally until the end.
As soon as I finished packing, the door to our, no, his bedroom swung open, revealing Alex in the doorway. He seemed relieved to have found me at first, but as I turned to face him head-on, he got a glimpse of my suitcase, and his relief melted into confusion.
“Agotia?” He questioned, inching closer with outstretched arms. “What’s going on?”
I stepped back, away from his touch, and hurt flashed across his face. He folded his arms across his chest as he waited for my explanation.
