From Bully To Beloved

SERA

Knock. Knock.

Without a word, Coltongets to his feet and answers. I hear him exchange greetings with the person as their footsteps head in my direction.

Vance enters the dining room after Cal, giving me a warm smile and extending his hand. “Buonasera! Good evening, Ms. Gray. It’s a pleasure to see you again,” I don’t correct him. Technically, I’m not Ms. Gray, but to him, of course, this is still all a temporary thing.

“Hello,” I say, my voice stiff in an attempt to steel my emotions. “It’s great to see you too.”

He takes a seat while Coltonremains standing, his hands resting on the back of the chair he just vacated. While Vance makes himself comfortable and starts to pull paperwork out of his briefcase, Cal’s eyes are laser-focused on me. I ignore him, unable and unwilling to look him in the eye, mostly because I don’t know what I’m going to see reflected back.

“I take it you had a pleasant enough month,” Vance says in a cheerful voice. “I’ve spoken with you both on several occasions to verify the arrangement was still being honored.”

I nod, recalling that Vance called us on Mrs. Bianca’s landline at least twice. “That’s correct,” I say, not waiting for Coltonto respond. “We’ve both lived in the apartment for the entirety of the month.”

“Fantastic.” Vance pulls a pen from his pocket, clicking it as he does. “I have drawn up paperwork that states as much, explaining that you both legally swear that you followed the terms of the will and therefore are entitled to your inheritances. If you would just sign here…”

Taking the pen, I scan the document before signing my name on the dotted line. Finished, I slide it over to Coltonand hold the pen out for him. He doesn’t move, barely even blinks before procuring it from my hand, his fingers lingering on mine a second too long. He signs without looking, pushing the paper over to Vance once he’s done.

“Excellent,” Vance says, gathering the document. He carefully places it back in his briefcase before pulling out two thicker packets. He hands one to each of us. “Here is the breakdown of your inheritances and the amount each of you are entitled to. If you agree with the numbers, all you have to do is sign the bottom, and I will be able to release the funds to your bank accounts.”

My hands are shaking when I take this particular packet. I knew I was getting a large sum of money, but seeing it all in writing makes it real, solidifies that my life is going to change forever. As if it hasn’t already.

I sign where indicated and hand it back without hesitation. Coltondoes the same.

“Wonderful.” Vance is a little less cheerful this time. I catch him swiveling his gaze between me and Cal, likely feeling the strange energy in the room and wondering what the hell he’s stepped into. “And now for our final piece of business. As announced during my first visit, I took the liberty of drawing up annulment papers. We can have this all squared away and handled tonight, so you both can go your separate ways.”

“Divorce papers,” Coltonsays suddenly.

Vance frowns. “I’m sorry?”

Coltonfinally looks at Vance. He’s still standing, still hunched over the dining room chair. But now he straightens up, his face a smooth mask of indifference. “We’re going to need divorce papers,” he explains. “Considering the circumstances, and what I know about divorce versus annulment, this was a legitimate marriage we both entered into with personalandlegal consent, and it was later consummated. Legally, it would be more honest to go with a divorce.”

A look of understanding passes across Vance’s face, and needless to say, I’m embarrassed.

Why is Coltondoing this? Does he want to drag the whole thing out because he thinks I’ll suddenly change my mind? TypiColtonman. TypiColtonCal. Annulment or divorce makes no difference to me.

Vance lowers the new paperwork back into the briefcase. “I see,” he says slowly. “Well, that shouldn’t be a problem. I will prepare the paperwork for you.”

I wouldn’t have been surprised if Vance had miraculously whipped out the divorce papers from his briefcase.

“Is there anything we need to do while we wait?” I ask to drive away the silence. “Anything you need from us?”

“No, no, I have all the information and can draft divorce papers with what I know. Besides, you don’t have any property or joint assets, and the wording in Mrs. Ashton’s will is quite clear and specific about who is entitled to what. You have nothing to worry about, Ms. Gray. I’ll get this all squared away as soon as I am able.”

He closes the briefcase with a snap and stands.

“In the meantime, with the terms of the will satisfied, and your inheritances squared away, you no longer have to live together.”

And just like that, it’s done.

Coltonshows Vance to the door.

While he does, I take the time to go into the living room and gather my things. I’m sad. But “sad” doesn’t seem like a large enough word to describe my feelings.

Everything feels odd, and weird, and right, and wrong, at the same time.

This is always how it was meant to end.

We knew that going in.

Coltonand Vance speak of his grandmother’s storage room, and Vance offers to bring spare keys the next day, but I’m too focused on what I’m doing to give it much thought. Instead, I request an Uber. I know Coltonwould drive me to my place if I asked, but I think it’s better this way.

The door opens and closes, and then I hear Cal’s footsteps coming my way. He stands in the doorway, watching me gather my things.

“So that’s it then,” he says. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes, I am.”

His expression is unreadable, his body language stiff. “You don’t have to go right this second.”

“I think it’s best if I do.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

More silence.

With a heavy sigh, I cross the room with my various bags, trying to stay strong and determined, even while looking like a damn pack mule. “I think a little space is a good idea,” I say when he doesn’t speak. “We both have a lot going on and this, whatever it is, is just too much. I’m sorry.”

Coltonfinally moves. Slowly, he reaches out, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, his hand caressing my cheek. “If this is really what you want.”

“It is.”

He nods, slipping his hand behind my neck and pulling me into one final, mind-numbing kiss. My bags drop from my hands. My knees buckle, and he holds me firmly. I indulge, fall into it because I desperately want it. One final kiss goodbye before we return to our lives.