Chapter 18

Hollis could have spent all evening with Jennifer, but after dinner and dessert, Hollis hugged her goodbye. She couldn't delay going home any longer, and as she pulled up to the gated entrance, she noticed that it was already open. Parking behind Dave's sleek sports car, she stepped out of her own vehicle, leaving behind the file folder stuffed with important paperwork from her meeting with her lawyer. The last traces of the vibrant sunset she'd spent her drive home watching began to fade.

The front door opened, just as Hollis was about to reach for the handle. She stepped back. "Hi," Dave said, standing in front of her in black pants and a white button-down shirt, looking like he just got home from work.

She wasn't sure if he'd be home or not, but she had to have this conversation and the sooner, the better.

"Hi. I'm glad I caught you," Hollis said, trying to keep her voice steady. Her eyes fell on the suitcase just a few feet behind Dave. "Can we talk?"

"I've got an Uber coming in…" He pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Four minutes."

Hollis exhaled slowly. "Okay. Business trip?"

"No. Golf. I'll be back late Sunday night. So, what did you want to talk to me about?"

"Look, there's no easy way to say this, and probably no right place to say this." She paused, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "I want a divorce."

He stared at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're serious?"

Hollis stared back, a mix of anger and disappointment washing over her. "Yes. Why would I joke about this? I met with my lawyer this afternoon, so yes, I'm serious. This is happening."

"You know I'll get half your business, right?" He said it smugly, with a smirk playing on his mouth.

"That's what you're thinking about right now? Dividing our assets? You don't want to know why?" Hollis had her hands on her hips, wondering why she was getting so worked up over his reaction. She shouldn't be surprised. She'd felt like nothing more than his trophy on more than one occasion over the years. She knew it looked good for him to have her on his arm at a charity dinner or work event.

"I gave up wondering what goes on in that head of yours a long time ago."

The sound of a car approaching caused them both to turn, signaling the end of their conversation.

"That's my ride to the airport," Dave said, reaching behind him for his suitcase. "I guess I'll need a lawyer too. We'll talk about this when I get back."

Hollis got out of the way as he wheeled his case to the car, and the driver got out to put it in the trunk. She watched him go, her jaw tight. She should be happy. He wasn't going to fight this. But it was just another reminder of how badly she'd screwed up her life. He didn't love her. Not anymore.

And she'd spent far too long trying to figure out how to love him.