Christina clung to his waist, gazing up at him with shimmering eyes.
"Kevin... you're always protecting me. I don't deserve you."
He softened instantly, reaching down to stroke her hair.
"What else am I supposed to do? You're soft as a little rabbit. If I don't protect you, the wolves will eat you alive."
The words hit me like a blade to the chest.
He'd said that exact thing to me once. Years ago, when we were young. When I still believed him.
He probably didn't even remember.
I drew a slow breath.
Reached into my bag.
Pulled out the divorce papers—the same ones I'd started once before but never finished signing.
"Kevin. Let's end this."
He laughed. A short, dismissive sound.
Without even glancing at the terms, he scrawled his signature across the page.
"Really, Fern? You're pulling this stunt again?"
"Fine. I'll play along. But I didn't cheat this time, so don't expect me to come crawling back with apologies."
"Thirty days from now. The county clerk's office. You'd better still have this much backbone then—because I won't be there to catch you when you come crying."
He was so certain.
All those times I'd forgiven him had made him certain.