What if Cyrus never forgave her? The thought of losing him was unbearable. He had to take her back. She wrapped her hand around her waist to calm her queasy stomach.
But if she wanted forgiveness, she had to give it, too. Time to make some changes in her life.
She pulled her cell phone from her purse and dialed 411.
“Welcome to directory assistance. City and state, please,” the automated voice said.
Daniella closed her eyes, clutching the phone tight in her hands. “Miami, Florida.”
“Say the name of the business you want, or say residence.”
“Residence.”
An operator came on the line. “Hello. What is the last name of the person you’re trying to reach?”
“Barrett.” She gripped the steering wheel, needing the support.
“And the first name?”
“Carlos,” Daniella whispered. Her throat had drawn so tight she could barely speak.
“Excuse me?”
“Carlos,” Daniella said, louder. “The name is Carlos Barrett.”
Chapter Twenty-one
Daniella knew what she was doing was rotten, but it was the only thing she could think of to salvage her marriage. Davis, her attorney, looked across his crowded desk at her, his bushy gray brows furrowed in concern.
“What are you doing?” he asked. “You’re about to be free from your husband—something you’ve tried to accomplish for three years. Everything you’ve asked for, he’s given you. Then you make another request, which delays the proceedings, and now you want the house?” It wasn’t just concern in his voice. He was appalled at her request.
“What’s your point?” Daniella asked.
Cyrus had used the courts to delay what he didn’t want to happen. Now she was doing the same. Any woman would be happy with such a generous settlement and the newfound ease she had in dissolving her marriage. Cyrus was giving her above and beyond what she’d requested. He’d even offered to pay her attorney fees, but his generosity only reminded her of how much their relationship had disintegrated. How much he wanted her out of his life.
“Your husband’s being surprisingly generous. In addition to the settlement he’s given you according to the prenup, you’re going to receive generous spousal support, much more than I expected. He’s not fighting you on anything. All you have to do is sign.”
“I want the house,” Daniella said, refusing to budge, no matter how ridiculous she sounded. She didn’t need the house and certainly couldn’t afford it’s upkeep. She would save the request for a maintenance allowance, in case she needed it, but didn’t think she would. Cyrus would never give up the mansion. Not only did he love the house, he appreciated the privacy of the neighborhood.
Davis’s expression turned thoughtful. “If I didn’t know better…” He hesitated, but she knew he saw through her ruse, although he hesitated to call her on it. “If you ask for too much, this whole process could fall apart and we’ll be back to square one.”
That’s what she was hoping for. She twisted the rings on her finger. “He’ll never give up the house,” she said with confidence. “He’ll fight me.” Which would delay the divorce, which meant she could hold onto him that much longer and he couldn’t move on.
“I don’t doubt he will. He bought it before you were married, and he’s already agreed to give you the flat in London.” It had been purchased after they married, but she didn’t want it either. He found it more convenient to stay there than at a hotel when he visited Johnson Enterprises European headquarters. She had no use for the place, but Cyrus had been surprisingly amenable to turning it over to her. With regard to the house, though, she was confident he wouldn’t budge.
“I decorated the house,” she said, knowing that in no way justified her desire to own it. The money for every piece of furniture, painting, and decorative item had come from his bank account. She’d been given carte blanche to make changes as she see fit. “I want the Bentley, too.”