But I have a feeling I’m about to find out.
Erin
Seeing Gerard again feels like a physical shock to the system, like a truck has slammed into me at full speed.
Eighteen years we’ve been married. For twenty-two we lived with each other under the same roof. We shared a bed, raised a child, suffered illnesses, enjoyed vacations, celebrated birthdays and holidays. I thought we knew each other inside out.
It’s only now I’m beginning to realize I really didn’t know my husband at all.
Gerard’s expression hasn’t changed at all for seeing me.
He’s still wearing a half-smirk, and there’s a sharpness to his eyes that I swept under the carpet for years.
He doesn’t look at all grateful for the two decades I gave up to support him and his dreams, running his home exactly as he liked it, raising our daughter when he was absent for half the year traveling with work.
I stood by him while his career grew and flourished, I cared and catered for his aunt, who could barely speak a word of English, for weeks at a time.
For all this, there’s no gratitude in his features at all. Only a wicked glimmer of satisfaction that I’m about to get what he thinks I deserve for leaving him.
“While Mrs. Applebaum is getting herself settled, let’s make some introductions, shall we?”
A younger gentleman sitting next to Gerard straightens, showing off a muscular physique and great skin.
“Absolutely,” he says, his voice deep and confident, sending another dart of anxiety through me. Gerard must have spent a lot of money getting some hotshot youngster to represent him. “I’m Robert Kessler, representing Gerard Applebaum.”
“Thanks Robert.”
My much older, slightly shaky lawyer shuffles a few papers, frowning as though he’s lost something.
“I’m Anthony Daniels, representing…” He swallows a few times, shuffles more papers. “Um…”
“Erin Applebaum?” I whisper through the side of my mouth.
He snaps his gaze back to the screen, his face pale, cheeks pink. “Yes, um, Mrs. Erin Applebaum.”
I look back at Gerard who has a sickly amused look on his face.
His smile barely twitches, but I know that look. It’s the one he wore whenever I forgot to do the laundry or pay the gardener.
“Erin,” he says, slowly and as though he’s relishing my discomfort. “You’re looking well.”
I try my best to flatten my shoulders and affect an air of confidence but the angle of the screen makes it look like I have an itch.
My lawyer clears his throat. “Right,” he says, straightening his tie. “We’re here today to discuss a fair settlement and, hopefully, come to an amicable resolution.”
“Amicable,” Gerard repeats. “Of course.”
Robert leans forward and rests his elbows on a sleek glass tabletop.
“My client is eager to reach a practical agreement.”
Practical. An interesting term considering this meeting is about securing mine and Paige’s entire future.
Mr. Daniels turns to me.
“Erin, perhaps you’d like to outline what you’re asking for.”
Every pair of eyes swivel in my direction, making my pulse pound in my ears. I recall a picture of Paige lying on the cramped single bed in my mother’s guest bedroom, her school textbooks stacked on the floor because there’s no desk. Her clothes piled in a corner because the closet is full of Mom’s winter coats.
