Chapter 12 - THE DIVORCE PAPERS HE NEVER EXPECTED
Z
The divorce papers arrived in a cream-colored envelope.
They weren't filed with the court.
Not yet.
They had been prepared by the same law firm Charlotte used for the original marriage arrangement.
A note accompanied them.
As discussed, the parties may proceed with the dissolution upon completion of the eighteen-month period.
I stared.
Then laughed once.
It wasn't a pleasant sound.
We had spent months rebuilding our marriage.
Learning one another's habits.
Sharing meals.
Taking vacations.
Arguing honestly.
Falling in love.
And somewhere, an attorney still believed our marriage was simply waiting for its expiration date.
I carried the envelope into Graham's study.
He looked up.
“Audrey.”
I placed it on his desk.
“Your family seems very organized.”
He frowned.
Then opened the envelope.
His expression changed.
For a moment, he stared at the documents.
Then he looked up.
“I didn't request these.”
“I believe you.”
He exhaled.
“Then why are you angry?”
I looked at him.
“Because nobody asked me whether I still wanted to be married.”
His expression softened.
“I know.”
“And because eighteen months ago, you told me our divorce was inevitable.”
He closed his eyes.
“I remember.”
I took a breath.
“Graham, I need to ask you something.”
He looked up.
“Anything.”
“Do you still want to divorce me?”
The room went silent.
For a moment, his expression was unreadable.
Then he stood.
Walked around the desk.
And stopped in front of me.
“No.”
The word was immediate.
Certain.
I felt tears rise.
“Why?”
His eyes softened.
“Because I love you.”
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
He continued.
“I've loved you for months, Audrey. I was just afraid to say it.”
I stared.
Then whispered, “You idiot.”
His mouth twitched.
“I deserve that.”
I began crying.
He reached for me.
I stepped into his arms.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then he whispered, “I'm sorry I made you believe you were temporary.”
I looked up.
“You did.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
I took a breath.
“Then don't make promises because you're afraid I'll leave.”
His expression softened.
“Okay.”
“Make them because you're prepared to keep them.”
He smiled.
“I am.”
The following morning, Graham called our independent attorneys.
We reviewed the legal consequences of ending the original personal arrangement and preserving our marriage.
The debt settlement had already been documented separately.
The trust governance issues had been resolved through lawful procedures independent of our continued relationship.
Neither of us needed to stay married to preserve the financial agreements.
For the first time, our marriage existed without a hidden business reason.
I sat beside Graham as Rebecca explained the final paperwork.
When she finished, she smiled.
“Any questions?”
I looked at my husband.
He looked at me.
Then said, “One.”
Rebecca raised an eyebrow.
“What is it?”
Graham smiled.
“How do we make sure nobody sends us divorce papers again?”
I burst out laughing.
Rebecca shook her head.
“By telling your family lawyers to stop preparing them without instructions.”
Graham grinned.
“Excellent.”
That evening, we burned nothing.
No dramatic fire.
No symbolic destruction of documents.
Our attorneys retained the necessary records.
The unsigned divorce papers went into a folder marked NOT EXECUTED.
Graham looked at the label.
Then smiled.
“Romantic.”
I laughed.
“Very.”
He reached for my hand.
“Audrey?”
“Yes?”
“Would you like to keep being my wife?”
I smiled.
“Ask me nicely.”
He laughed softly.
“Please?”
I kissed him.
“Yes.”
And that answer belonged to me.
Not Charlotte.
Not Everett.
May you like
Not a family trust.
Me.
