When Opposites Stop Attracting

Surprise flickered across Derek's earnest eyes.

"You're signing? Just like that?"

I slid the divorce papers across the table toward him.

He didn't take them. His gaze stayed locked on my face.

I could see my reflection in his eyes. Perfectly calm.

"I'm not the type to make a scene. Besides, you've been more than fair.

"The house your family bought before the marriage is yours. The house I bought after is mine.

"You didn't ask for a single share of my company. I have no reason to put up a fight."

Derek let out a bitter laugh.

"I'm asking you for a divorce, and all you can think about is who gets what?

"Do you even have feelings?"

I scoffed.

"Vivian hooking up with her married supervisor. Now that's what I call feelings."

Derek flinched, then hardened his voice.

"Watch what you say about her, Claire.

"I love her."

The conviction in his eyes was painfully familiar.

He'd worn the exact same expression when he first told me how he felt.

"Claire, I love you.

"I'm certain of it. You'll be the only one for me, for the rest of my life."

I stared at him, my nails digging deep into my palm.

All the pain, all the fury, jammed tight in my throat.

I couldn't breathe.

Derek seemed to sense something was off.

His eyes narrowed, suspicious.

"What's wrong with you? Is your asthma acting up again?

"Do you have your inhaler?"

He reached for my purse.

I stopped his hand with mine and lowered my eyes, forcing back the emotions surging in my chest.

"Mr. Lawson, you no longer have the right to touch my things."

Derek frowned.

"Claire, don't be difficult."

His warmth seeped steadily through my palm where our hands touched.

I was seconds from surrendering.

I couldn't forget. I couldn't forget the comfort these hands had once given me.

When I was sick. When I was exhausted. When I was heartbroken. When I was in pain.

These hands had made me feel safe, again and again.

Just this once, throw away your pride.

Stay with him and everything will be fine.

"Derek, what if I..."

Derek's phone rang then, sharp and sudden.

Some upbeat pop song that young people liked.

He glanced at the screen, then dropped my hand like he'd been burned.

"Don't forget. One month from now, we go to the courthouse and finalize the divorce."

Then he was out the door, gone like the wind.

Cold air rushed in from outside, chilling the tears on my face.

It chilled the last warmth in my heart, too.

Vivian pouted and bounced into his arms like a little bird.

With his back to me, he ruffled her hair.

Then they walked to the car, arms around each other.

Watching them disappear, I steadied my racing heart.

It's fine, Claire.

At least you didn't humiliate yourself.

I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and called my assistant, Nora Ellis.

"Look into when Derek and Vivian first got together.

"And dig up everything you can on Vivian's background."