“You have it so much better than most people in this world,” she reminded me. It was one of her favorite guilt trips. “Why can’t you just be happy?”
“It’s not a switch you just turn on, Mom.”
“Do you think I don’t love you?” she demanded.
“Mom. I know you love me.”
“Do you love me?”
“Of course I love you.”
“Then take my advice, Devi. Take some time. You’re married now. You got married very fast.” She smoothed a piece of my hair back from my face. “What if you divorce just as fast, then realize you made a mistake?”
She had a point. But… “What if the marriage was a mistake?”
“Then divorce him when you’re sure,” she said firmly. “Not until then.”
When I arrived at the penthouse that night, I didn’t burn it down.
I was hoping to talk to Dane. I figured he’d be up, working—or trying to work on this problem I’d become in his life.
He hadn’t exactly chased me down after I walked out, but I figured he’d want to talk. He probably knew where I was, and that I was okay. Darrell probably told him.
Maybe he thought I really wanted that separation I’d tossed in his face before I stormed out.
I didn’t, though. Not really. Not yet.
I wanted to apologize.
I wanted to see if we could work this out. Together. If there was any chance, I figured that was the way to go. I’d lean into it, see where it took me.
Maybe if I stood by him like I was supposed to, we could dispel the lie in that article, together, and move on. And actually spend some time figuring out…us. If there was any us.
But he wasn’t even at the penthouse when I walked in.
Instead, I found a handwritten note on the bed.
Devi,
You were right. This whole thing was a bad idea.
Why wait until my birthday to take care of something we know is coming?
I should never have asked you to do this, and for this long. To lie for me. Four months of your life is far too much for me to ask of you.
So I’m going home to try to make things right.
I’m going to tell my family the truth, all the truths, and accept whatever comes, like I should have in the first place.
I’ll give you your divorce whenever you want it.
I told you I’d protect you. So, this is me protecting you.
Dane
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Dane
