Page 216

He opens it and turns the first page toward me.

Petition for Annulment.

Not divorce.

Annulment.

My fingers go cold.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Christian says nothing.

"Annulment?" I look up at him. "Like it never happened?"

"Aria—"

"No." I push the papers back so hard they slide crooked. "Absolutely not."

I can't tell him that I’m pregnant. Not before Everett finds out. It just doesn’t seem right. But Annulment while I’m carrying his baby? No, I can’t do that.

"You don't have to decide today."

"Good, because I'm not signing these today."

He studies me and then nods. "Just take them home," he says, picking them up and handing them to me. I take them but I hate the way the paper feels in my hands. "I encourage you to read what you’re signing. Feel free to get your own council if you want. Just know that the contract is exactly as it was discussed when we all sat in Everett’s conference room in his penthouse and drew it up. He was adamant when we talked last that this be as fair to you as possible," he says. "There’s just one small adjustment."

I glance up from the document in my hands that feels like it’s pulling all the air from the room. "What’s the small adjustment?" I ask.

"That your father is taken care of for life, and that the estate is deeded to you permanently."

"Permently?" I spit out in shock. "The estate? The mansion along with all of yours?"

"That’s right… he nods,"And the care for the home so that it’s not a financial burden for you."

"Permanently…" I repeat. "As in forever?"

"The only caveat is that you can’t sell it. But it is yours to live indefinitely."

That word again. Indefinitely. As if somehow, for reasons I don’t understand, Everett wants me tied to the Kauffman name indefinitely.

"Why? Why is he doing this, Christian?"

"It’s not for me to say. But I know he wants you taken care of and I know he wants you to paint again."

Christian’s assistant buzzes in. "Sir, your afternoon meeting is sitting in the conference room when you’re ready."

"I have to go, but if you have any questions or concerns about the papers, let me know. Everett wanted you to feel comfortable with the agreement. And if you need anything beyond that, please reach out."

I grip the folder harder to keep my hands steady.

I don't answer. Because if I let that sentence crack open inside me right now, I'll either collapse in his office or start demanding answers he's not ready to give.

So I leave.

I stab the elevator button twice even though once is enough.

The doors open. I step in, hit the lobby, and lean back against the wall breathing too shallowly through a body that doesn't feel entirely mine.