Kate’s expression softened. “I know, but it’s different now. We’re going to get you that divorce, and with any luck, it won’t be much longer before you’re completely free of him.”
Amy studied Kate and counted backward from ten.
Then, she released a deep breath and gave her lawyer a small nod.
As soon as Kate removed her hand, the conference room door thudded open, and Amy nearly jumped out of her chair. She chided herself, rose to her feet, and clasped her hands behind her back. Like last time, Eric and his lawyer looked like carbon copies of each other with slicked-back hair, custom-made suits, and loafers that were light and soundless against the hardwood floors. In silence, the two of them stepped in, with Eric’s lawyer pausing to unfasten a button on his jacket.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us,” Tyler began in an even voice. “I’d like to start off by apologizing for my client’s outburst at the previous meeting.”
Amy shot Kate a startled look, but Kate didn’t meet her gaze.
“Moving forward, we’d like to keep this as civil and as cordial as possible,” Tyler continued, his gaze settling on Amy’s and sending a chill up her spine. “In light of Ms. Gruntle’s recent behavior, a new agreement has been drafted.”
Kate held her hand out and pressed her lips together.
Amy sat next to her and tried not to shrink into a smaller version of herself.
When she was in the same space as Eric, it felt like all of the oxygen in the room was being sucked up.
In the background, a clock ticked, and Amy began to count along with it.
She lifted her gaze to the gray-colored ceiling, her eyes running steadily over it.
Then, Kate touched her knee, bringing Amy back to the present with a jolt. Slowly, she glanced down and found herself looking at the agreement drafted up. Kate squeezed her hand and sat up straighter, her face giving nothing away.
Eric was asking for everything except for the clothes on her back.
She skimmed over the list of his assets, not caring at all for any of them, but when she reached the last line, her heart missed a beat. Not only had Eric stated his intent to file a restraining order, banning Amy from going anywhere near him or his offices, but he was also planning on suing her because of the manner in which she left him.
As if she’d caused him any kind of distress at all when she walked away.
Amy was sure it was one more tool designed to hurt her, but she couldn’t prove it.
She knew Eric’s only concern was how he appeared to his colleagues and the social circle he’d spent years cultivating.
She must’ve really hurt his pride by leaving the way she did.
It was her only solace in the sea of turbulence and sadness she faced.
When she was done, Amy looked over at Kate, and the two of them exchanged a quick, understanding look.
Then, Kate pulled the contract back in front of her and straightened her back. “My client doesn’t want anything except to be left alone. She won’t argue any of Mr. Taylor’s requests, but she will be countersuing for emotional distress.”
Eric was on his feet before the words finished leaving Kate’s mouth. “How dare you? How dare you sit there and allow her to say those things about me?Youleftme.”
Amy bit down on her bottom lip hard enough to draw blood.
Eric slammed his fists against the table. “You’re nothing but a coward, Amy Gruntle. A coward and an ungrateful, pathetic little housewife who can’t even leave right. You’ve got some nerve trying to countersue me after everything I’ve done for you.”
Each word felt like a dagger through her heart, like her head was being held underwater, and no matter how hard she kicked or how much pain she experienced, she couldn’t find her way back to the surface.
Her chest felt tight, and Amy was overcome with the urge to crawl her way out of her own skin. Right after she emptied the contents of her stomach all over their brand-new loafers.
“Mr. Michaelson, you will restrain your client, or I’ll call the police and have him charged with harassment.”
Tyler touched Eric’s shoulder. “Mr. Taylor—”
Eric shook him off, his eyes blazing with anger and his nostrils flaring. “Don’t youdarepatronize me. I know my rights. I kept a roof over her head, and this is how she repays me? If you take this to court, I will destroy you. You won’t have a single friend left in the city, and no judge is going to want to touch your case with a ten-foot pole. I will make you regret ever crossing me.”
