Susan Collins approached the front door with a great deal of caution. Whoever was on the other side pounded with so much force, the door rattled on the hinges.
After peeking through the keyhole, she heaved a heavy sigh. She unlocked the door, yanked it open, and came face to face with a very angry man.
Not just any man, but her husband, Nathan.
He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, both covered with dirt. Apparently, he’d just come from a work site. They must have been short-handed, or close to a deadline, and he’d pitched in to help. Something he often did. Although Nathan owned Collins Construction, he got restless sitting behind a desk and was always eager to roll up his sleeves and help when needed.
“What the hell is this?” He waved a fistful of crumpled papers in her direction. Anger flared in his brown eyes.
“Divorce papers?”
“Yes,” he said between clenched teeth. “But why did I receive them?”
“Because I had my attorney file them.”
“That wasn’t what we agreed to. We agreed to a thirty-day separation--to put things into perspective, you claimed--and then marriage counseling. We agreed to make an attempt to save our marriage. What happened to that plan, Susan?”
“That was before I knew you were…enjoying the company of other women.”
She flung the door shut, and for a split second regretted it. She’d never slammed a door in someone’s face.
Then again, she’d never been dealing with a lying, unfaithful spouse. So, in this situation, she felt somewhat justified in her actions.
But just before the door slammed shut, Nathan’s hand shot out to stop it and push it open.
“What are you talking about?” he demanded.
She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him her best icy stare. “I don’t want to discuss this. Anything else you have to say to me, you can say through my attorney. I want you to leave.”
“You can want all day long, sweetheart, but it’s not going to happen.” He stepped inside, forcing her to back up a step. He shut the door calmly behind him. “What I’ve figured out in the last three weeks is that one of our biggest problems is that I always gave into your every little demand. Not this time. I’m staying, and we’re going to discuss this.”
“Leave or I’m calling the police.”
He waved a hand in invitation. “Go ahead. This is our house. Until a judge rules otherwise, I have just as much right to be here as you do. And that’s exactly what the police will tell you.”
Unfortunately, she suspected he was right. “Then I’ll leave.”
She turned, intending to go to the bedroom and grab her purse. Before she’d taken a single step, he wrapped his fingers around her upper arm to hold her in place. She glanced down at his hand, and then looked up at him with her brow raised.
Immediately, he released her.
“I’ve never cheated on you,” he said. “I never even thought about it.”
“And yet I have evidence to the contrary.”
