“Even if that’s true,” he went on, “I don’t see how it makes any difference. What was I do to? Force her to stay with me, just because that would be my preference? I can’t do that. She wanted to go. I had to permit it.”
“Just because you had to permit it, that doesn’t mean you’re forced toacceptit,” Reeves said. He was sitting back in his chair, regarding Norman calmly. “You couldn’t barricade the doors and keep her in the house, but what was to stop you from going after her?”
“You want me to chase her down and drag her back against her will? I won’t do that.” Norman’s hands balled into fists. He didn’t know if it was pride holding him back or if it was the powerful feeling that no one ought to manipulate Susan or force her into anything against her will. He felt both things.
“Norman,” Reeves said wearily. “Please, think about this. I’m not suggesting you drag her home by her hair. She’s your wife. You care about her. I’m saying you gotell her that.”
Norman recoiled from the very thought of it. “She doesn’t want to hear that from me.”
“You don’t know what she wants.”
“I do know. You didn’t see the way she looked when she was leaving.” He thought of Susan’s face on that day, her eyes devoid of all their sparkle. “You didn’t hear the things she said.”
“I don’t need to. I’m looking at you right now. I think you may never forgive yourself if you don’t fight for her. You have to try to win her back. I’m not saying it will be easy. But my God, man, isn’t she worth it to you? You want her back, don’t you? Go get her.”
Norman shook his head. “This is over,” he said quietly. “She asked for an annulment. I think the least I can do is grant her request.”
“You’re really going to apply to annul this marriage?”
“I’ve already contacted the Court,” Norman told his friend. “Things are underway. I’m just waiting for their answer. I’m sure they won’t deny us, once it becomes clear that we both want the same thing.”
“I just can’t believe you would let her go,” Reeves said quietly. “I can see how much she means to you. You deserve happiness, Norman, even if you don’t believe you ought to have it. You deserve to tell her what she means to you, and to bring her back.”
“You’re assuming she would come back if I did.”
“But don’t you want to find out?”
“I already know what would happen,” Norman said. “It’s obvious. I told you. She made it clear what she wanted when she left. She asked for an annulment, and I’m giving it to her.”
“You’re letting your pride get in your way,” Reeves said.
Norman said nothing. He just returned to his seat and sat down.
He was allowing his pride to influence him. He knew that. It had bothered him deeply to know that Susan would be happier to abandon her marriage than to stay with him. He must have done something to disappoint her—but what could it have been? He had done nothing to violate the terms they had agreed upon when they had entered into this marriage.
No. That’s not true, and you know it. And this is the reason you’re angry at yourself.
Hehaddone something. He had gone against what he had promised.
Because he had developed feelings for her.
How many times had she told him that she didn’t want to fall in love? That she would avoid it at all costs? And here he was, with feelings that were so obvious that even Reeves could see it.
Reeves knew nothing about that kiss.
His heart sank into the pit of his stomach.
That was why she had left. It had to be.She had avoided him for days following the kiss, and the next real conversation they’d had was about her desire to go.
This was the truth he had been trying to avoid, and the reason he was so angry at himself.
“I think you should go,” he told Reeves.
Reeves sighed. “You really aren’t going to listen to me, are you?”
“I’ve listened. I’ve heard what you had to say.”
“But you won’t change your course of action.” Reeves rose to his feet. “You are making a mistake, Norman. You’re making a terrible mistake, and you’re going to live to regret this. I wish I could change your mind. But I know a lost cause when I see one. If you come to your senses, you’re going to do it on your own. There’s nothing more I can do.”
