Her attorney’s mouth fell open. He must think she was a crazy, callous bitch. “Daniella, the chances…”
“I don’t care about chances,” she said firmly. She stood. “Make the request.”
“You understand that if he doesn’t give in on what you want, this could drag out for months.”
“I understand, but what do you care? He’ll cover your fees. Do as I ask, or I’ll find another attorney who will.” She’d been unnecessarily harsh, but she couldn’t afford for him to ruin her plan.
Davis sat up. “I’ll have the revisions for you right away.”
“Take your time. There’s no rush.”
She left right after, heading back to the gallery even though it was late in the day. She dreaded going back to the house and facing Ms. Ernestine and the rest of the staff. They couldn’t possibly know the details of what had transpired between her and Cyrus, but somehow she felt they did and silently condemned her.
They continued to keep the house in the same orderly fashion he preferred, as if he was still there, but as far as Daniella knew, he hadn’t returned once.
She wanted to send a message to Cyrus through Shaun, but after the message he’d relayed through her attorney that they should only communicate through their lawyers, she’d decided against it. She thought about going to his office and confronting him, but she was afraid he might have had her barred from the building. She had a not-so-humorous thought of him sending her photo down to the security guards, similar to a mugshot, and warning she should not be allowed to get past the atrium. Even if she did, she’d never get past Roxanne. The woman was a bulldog when it came to him and wouldn’t hesitate to make the call to have her thrown out of the building.
She’d have to wait and continue on the same course. Using the divorce was the only way she could think of to stay in Cyrus’s life for now. Until a better idea came along.
****
Cyrus stared down at the dinner plate. Fish, rice pilaf, and vegetables stared back at him. He couldn’t even taste the food. He’d lost the taste for a lot of things lately. He’d been working harder than ever in an effort to forget Daniella, but hadn’t succeeded in doing so. Once she entered his thoughts, he couldn’t expunge her. Not even in sleep could he get any rest. At random times he woke up in the middle of the night and reached for her, only to find the empty space beside him in the bed.
He had to stay focused. People depended on him. His attorney thought he was crazy for not fighting Daniella on any of her requests, but if any part of him was good, he had to correct his past wrongs and do right by her. He had to give her the one thing he’d denied her all along because of his own selfishness. Her freedom.
The sooner the better. Nothing she asked for was irreplaceable, but his attorney disagreed with his decisions. Especially concerning the house.
“She’s asking for your house, Cyrus. She has no legitimate claim to it. You lived in it before you married her.”
Cyrus shrugged. “She helped me decorate it. Maybe she’s in love with the place. I really don’t care.” What was the point of holding onto the property? There were too many memories of Daniella there. All her touches in the colors and the furnishings. He would find another place, something smaller and more practical. For now, the Four Seasons Hotel served his purposes. Maybe he’d buy Ivy’s condo since she and Lucas had mentioned they wanted a larger place for after they were married.
“As your attorney, I have to advise you the concessions you’re making are not in your best interest.”
“I’m fully aware of what my best interests are, but I want to get this over with. These proceedings have gone on long enough, haven’t they?”
“Cyrus?”
He looked up into his mother’s kind, worried eyes. Around the table, the rest of the family observed him with concern. Trenton, to his left, and across from him Ivy, Lucas, Katie, and Xavier.