Ivor and Ann stared, blindsided. The word divorce coming from my mouth was something none of them had ever imagined.
Every pair of eyes in the room fixed on me in disbelief.
Every pair except one.
After a brief flash of surprise, Bill's eyes lit up with barely concealed elation.
"Julian Gilbert." Ivor's voice dropped low, his face like a gathering storm. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you. You'll only get this chance once."
"Honey—" Louise turned her tear-streaked face to me, eyes glistening, lashes clumped together. The tears fell in an endless stream, one after another, like a string of pearls snapping loose. She looked pitiful. Wounded. Utterly wronged.
"I already told you, last night was a misunderstanding. Why won't you listen to me?"
Bill grabbed my hand, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Julian, this is all my fault—every bit of it."
"I don't want your apology. Just please, don't fight with Louise anymore. If you can't stand having me around, I'll leave tomorrow. I'll disappear and never come back!"
"Louise truly loves you. Please don't divorce her. I'm begging you."
Looking at Bill and his nauseating little performance, my stomach turned.
"Get off me!"