Chapter 2 Just Sign the Papers

The next day, Jesse came home with Gideon, and the two of them were holding hands.

"Anthony, we need to talk."

I looked up at her, and for the first time in days, a faint unease stirred in my chest. Jesse had never brought one of her lovers home before, let alone brought one straight to me.

"Gideon's grandpa is dying," she began. "His last wish is to see Gideon get married."

I frowned. "So?"

Jesse hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "I need you to divorce me."

For a second, the entire room seemed to fall silent.

'Divorce? Are you kidding me? I've put up with ten years of this marriage, and now she wants out when I'm only six days away from getting everything I've waited for? Seriously? Right before the finish line?'

When I didn't respond, something almost resembling guilt flickered across Jesse's face.

"It would only be for a month," she explained. "Once his grandpa passes peacefully, we'll get married again right away."

Right on cue, Gideon's eyes filled with tears.

"Anthony, please." He stepped toward me and actually began lowering himself to his knees. "According to the doctors, my grandpa only has a few days left."

I remained still, but my mind was already racing.

If Jesse died after we divorced, how much of the Knapp fortune would I lose? Worse, what if Gideon tried to fight my three kids for her estate?

No, I wasn't going to let that happen. For Anthony, for the kids, and for myself, I had to remain as Jesse's legal husband until the very end.

I met her gaze. "New Year's is less than a week away, and the whole family will be together. Do you really want everyone finding out that we suddenly divorced right before the holidays?"

I leaned back in my chair. "Let's wait until after New Year's. By then, the two of you can put on whatever show you want."

"No!" Gideon's voice cracked as fresh tears spilled down his cheeks. "My grandpa might not make it that long!"

This time, he really did drop to his knees.

He grabbed the leg of my pants and looked up at me tearfully. "Please, Anthony. He's the only family I have left. If he dies without seeing me get married, I'll never forgive myself. I don't even know how I'd keep going."

Jesse's expression softened immediately. She looked at him as though seeing him in pain physically hurt her.

Then, she turned back to me, and irritation began creeping into her voice. "Anthony, I'm asking you for one favor. What he's asking isn't unreasonable."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

"One favor?" I looked straight at her. "Jesse, I've been doing you favors for ten years. You've had forty-nine lovers, and not once have I screamed at you. Not once have I embarrassed you in public or told anyone what kind of wife you really are."

I paused before continuing, my voice growing colder. "I took care of this house, looked after your parents, and raised our three kids. Now, you want me to give up my place as your legal husband too?"

"It's just one month!" she snapped.

"No!" I stood up, rejecting her outright for the first time in years, leaving no room for negotiation. "You promised me something, Jesse. You told me that no matter what happened, I would always be your husband. You don't get to take that back now."

Jesse froze, and for a brief moment, she actually looked conflicted.

Then, Gideon covered his face and broke down.

"Forget it. Just forget it," he choked out, his shoulders trembling. "I'll go with Grandpa. Then, none of this will matter anymore..."

He tried to stand, but his knees suddenly gave way, sending him collapsing back onto the floor as his entire body trembled.

Jesse rushed forward immediately and pulled him into her arms.

By the time she looked at me again, whatever hesitation had been in her eyes was gone. Her expression had turned cold. "Anthony, I'm not asking for your permission. You've always done what I asked, and this time will be no different."

I let out a quiet scoff. Fine, she could do whatever she wanted.

As long as I did not sign anything, she'd have to take me to court. Only six days remained until New Year's Eve, and there was no way she could force a contested divorce that quickly.

By the time her lawyers get anywhere, she'd be dead.

I turned toward the door, only for Jesse to grab my wrist. "Where are you going?"

I glanced down at her hand before looking back at her. "I don't feel like watching the two of you anymore. I'm leaving."

A cold smile appeared on Jesse's face, the same smug expression she always wore whenever she thought she had figured me out.

"You think walking away means you can avoid the divorce?" Her grip tightened around my wrist. "Or were you planning to run straight to my parents and have them stop me?"

Before I could answer, she pulled me toward the door.

"The attorneys have the papers ready. We're going to the courthouse now," she told me, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll get everything finalized today."