Discovering Truths by B. Benfield (chrysanthemum read aloud .TXT) 📕

man I was legally bound to, but he was the one that I could let go of so easily. I just had to make the move.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

 

The next few weeks were hectic, but I’d finally made it to the end of my training. Although I was glad the class was over and I was on to my new position, I didn’t want my time here to end. I’d made some awesome friends. Damien, Taylor, and I spent a lot of time together, and although the class was intense, it was informative and eye opening. I knew I’d succeed in my position. Atlanta was a wonderful getaway, and facing my reality wasn’t something I was ready to handle. When I got home, I was going to do it—I was going to talk to Marcus about divorce. There was no point in stringing our dead marriage along any further.

I’d traveled home a couple weekends and seen him briefly. He was still working on the case in Bonita Springs, or so he claimed. When he made it home permanently, it was time for the conversation. My time away had given me a confidence I’d been lacking. There was only one dilemma I still faced, and that was Gage. I hadn’t seen him at all. The times I did make it home, he claimed he was busy. We’d talked some, but not as often as we once did. He used to tell me he loved me three times a day. Now, I barely heard it once a week. He was another issue I had to face when I made it home. I just wanted happiness. Living without Gage sounded like hell, but living with him in a state of uncertainty was just as bad. I wanted things to be as they once were…when we couldn’t stand to be away from each other and cherished the time we had together. I’d never felt more loved and wanted than I did when I was with him. Losing Gage hurt more than ending my marriage. I had hopes that we could rekindle what we’d been missing. He told me he’d never hurt me again. He told me he hoped for a future. Surely he wouldn’t just say that…or was I that naïve?

Zipping up my suitcase, I scanned the hotel room one last time to make sure I had all my belongings. Once I determined I was clear, I pulled my suitcase out to the hall and met Damien where he was waiting for me.

“Got everything?” he asked.

“I think so. You?”

“Yep. I’m sure I had a lot less than you.” He laughed.

We climbed into the elevator and pressed the button to ride down to the lobby. The somber feeling of leaving Damien and Taylor now felt real. I wished I could stay here and pretend like my life was simple. Damien sensed my sadness and he placed his hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture.

“You alright?”

“I’m fine,” I said.

Changing the subject, he asked, “You ready for the job?”

“I definitely am. How about you?”

“Oh yeah. You’ll have to text me and let me know how it’s going.”

“You know I will.”

When we made it downstairs, our cars were waiting for us in the front lot of the hotel.

“Well, this is it.” Damien said.

“I guess so.” I replied. Without thinking, I went to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him close. I was going to miss him. I could talk to Damien without judgement, and he was nothing other than a gentleman, even when he expressed potential interest. He wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me tight.

“You take care of yourself, Abby. Let me know if you need anything.” He said quietly against my ear.

“Thank you for being so awesome. I promise I’ll stay in touch.”

“You better.”

And just like that, I was in the car and off to the airport, back to my uncertain reality. Although I had time to prepare myself and my words, I was dreading this talk with Marcus. I wasn’t going to throw in any hard hits unless he did first. The infidelity would go unspoken. I’d only bring it up if he decided to make things difficult. I just wanted out. I knew he did too, so I prayed things would go easily. For my sanity, I needed a new beginning. For some crazy reason…despite everything…I still hoped it included Gage.

I texted Melinda to let her know I was on my way home, then laid back and closed my eyes as the plane took off. Here’s to new beginnings…

 

***

The flight was quick and I was home by noon. It was Friday, and Marcus said he would be home Monday, allowing me the weekend to prepare my words for him. I sent Gage a message to let him know I was home, then unpacked my suitcase and started laundry. By seven that evening, I had all my laundry finished and the house cleaned up when I turned on the hot water in the bathtub. I was going to mix myself a drink and have a hot bath—some much-needed relaxation. After using the hotel shower and bed for a while, it was nice to be home with my own things, even if I didn’t like it here. As the water filled, I leaned against the bathroom counter, catching up with the rest of the world on my cellphone. When I noticed a red notification on my e-mail app, I opened it, not prepared for the name that sat in bold letters with an unopened message. Gage.

My heart sank immediately. The last time he sent me an e-mail, it wasn’t with good news. Taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I walked to the tub and shut off the water. I went back to the counter to grab my phone and sat down on the