“Why don’t I?—”
He waved her off. “Already done. It’ll be quick.”
Aelin’s hands were shaking by the time he handed her phoneback. She inspected the entry. It showed nine o’clock at some address in the southwest. “Clark, that’s a long drive.”
He shrugged. “We’re going to ride horses.”
Bailey gasped and turned her head. “Horses? Really?”
Clark grinned at her, then stood and picked up his chair. “I’m going to move a little closer up.” He shot Aelin a look before taking his chair down the hill and disappearing into the moving shadows.
Glittering light shot into the sky ahead of them.
“They’re starting!” Bailey lifted up her tablet and flipped the camera view around for Amaya.
Aelin dragged in a breath as Megan’s hand landed on her shoulder. “Such an asshole,” she whispered, and Aelin let out a ragged laugh.
Bailey smiled back at her, and she snapped a few pictures, then scooted down to sit next to her and take a selfie together. She slipped her arm around Bailey and watched the show, listening to the synced music on Tag’s radio behind them.
Bailey stared in awe at the finale. “Are you cold, Mom?”
Aelin nodded and gave a small smile.Not cold.The shaking happened anytime Clark was around. She couldn’t stop it but knew from past experience that it would fade in another hour or so.She was so weak.The thought pounded through her like a gavel.
Cheers rang up around the park, and she stood to pick up her chair. As she went to put her phone in her purse, she saw a message on her screen from her lawyer, Jules.
Check your email ASAP
The blood rushed from her face as she stopped and scrolled to her inbox. She clicked on the message from Julie.
Subject:Urgent Update Re: Division of Assets/Property Settlement
She scanned the message, bile rising in her throat.Requesting the sale of property as part of division of assets . . . spouse unable to financially maintain . . . option to buy out partner’s share in property . . . August 10th . . .
Her vision began to blur. Clark was trying to force her to sell the house or buy him out. He knew she couldn’t do either, and she knew exactly how he planned to use that to his advantage.
Chapter
Fifteen
Ryan parkedin Aelin's driveway and turned to Amaya. "Okay, you good?"
Amaya yawned and unbuckled her seatbelt. Ryan had felt guilty waking her up at six, but she knew it was only two weeks of this. He needed to be at the rink at three, which meant he had to start work at seven instead of nine.
He left the engine idling and got out to walk her to the front door. "Remember to be respectful and listen to Aelin, okay?"
Amaya rolled her eyes. "I'm not five, Dad."
Ryan let out a puff of air. “Right.”
They walked up the steps to the front door, and Ryan texted instead of knocking since Bailey was most likely still asleep.
It only took a few seconds for Aelin to open the door. She gave a small wave and moved to the side so Amaya could walk into the hall.
Ryan blinked. He’d seen her at all times of day and night, and, not that he was an expert or anything, something looked off. She was in cotton shorts and thick socks, a robe tied around her middle. It wasn’t that. Was she trying to hide her face?
She moved to close the door, but he put out a hand. "Hey."
Aelin’s lips pinched. She didn’t turn to face him, instead messing with the side of her welcome mat with her socked foot. “Have a great day.” She pushed on the door again, and this time, Ryan full-on palmed it.
