“He threatened to take the baby last week. I’m sure the sincerity he felt at that time carried over.”
“Well.” Samantha leaned closer. “Listen, things look bad now because you didn’t immediately get the divorce you wanted, but consider a few things. One, your husband didn’t cheat on you, he didn’t beat you or verbally abuse you, he doesn’t drink or do drugs, and he’s always been very generous. Two, with the kind of resources and connections he has, he can make the divorce proceedings extremely unpleasant, costly and time consuming. But instead of fighting you, he’s trying to reconcile. Rejecting his offer outright may work against you, so I want you to think about it. It’s only for four months. If he’s as busy as you say, he’s probably not going to do anything except send you more presents, which you can keep as per your prenup. After the four months are up, we’ll have solid proof that he’s too busy and unavailable for what any wife would reasonably expect in marriage—even after he promised to convince you otherwise—and we can go from there.”
“I can’t believe I have to have a reason to divorce him.” The fact that he didn’t love her wasn’t something she could say. It was too humiliating.
“You don’t. But are you willing to go through the stress of an expensive and messy divorce while you’re pregnant?”
Amandine put both her hands over her belly protectively.
Gavin would do whatever he had to in order to get what he wanted. She couldn’t hope to match what he could unleash against her.
“Gavin was also right about the money. Ten thousand isn’t a lot, especially with a baby on the way. Your child deserves the best opportunities in life, right? I don’t think you should turn down anything Gavin offers just out of spite. We should aim high, and I’m going to see if there’s any way we can squeeze some more from him.”
Amandine rested her face in a hand. “You’re right. I’m not thinking about this very logically. Okay, let’s go ahead and agree to this…farce. I guess I can put up with anything for four months.”
“Great. Okay, so… First thing is, you should move back home. ASAP,” Samantha said. “That way, he can’t say you didn’t cooperate fully.”
She sighed. “Everything has to be done properly, doesn’t it?”
“It does. And we can say that the clock started the minute you moved back home.”
* * *
Amandine stopped by Brooke’s apartment to pick up her things. Brooke searched her face and said, “So how did it go?”
“Not exactly the way I expected.” She told her best friend about Gavin’s attempt at reconciliation.
“At least he didn’t threaten to take the baby outright,” Brooke said. “Although that just proves he’s not a total monster, not necessarily a good husband.”
Amandine sighed, dumped her toiletries and toothbrush into a small bag and went to the living room.
“That’s all you’re taking?” Brooke asked.
“If I need anything else, Gavin’s going to have to buy it. He probably won’t want me wearing any of my ‘hobo outfits’ around his friends and family. Besides, it’s no
t like I’m going to be with him for that long.”
“You don’t think it’s going to work.”
“Nope. He never has any time for me. But at least this way I’ll have something to show for three years of my life with him.”
“That’s the spirit,” Brooke said, in a sad attempt at cheeriness.
“I have to be practical. I’d rather have his love, but if it’s not meant for me…” She stiffened her spine. “Well, it’s not meant for me, and there’s nothing to be done about it.”
“What happened to my romantic artiste friend?”
“She got pregnant.” She pointed to her belly. “I can’t reject money out of pride. It’s not easy to get a job with a new baby in this economy, and my résumé is a big blank for the past couple of years. I can’t go back to working for Art4Kids as an art teacher since Gavin’s the one funding it, and flipping burgers won’t be enough for me and my baby.”
“Awww…” Brooke gave her a tight hug. “I’m so sorry, but you’ll be all right. You have me, Pete and my family rooting for you and your baby.”
“Thanks,” Amandine said, drawing comfort from Brooke’s support. “Anyway, take today off. Comp time for my mooching off of you twenty-four seven.”
“Pssshh,” Brooke said, waving a hand. “What are friends for? You better run to me even when you can’t afford my rate anymore.”
Amandine smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
“Call any time if you need me.”