After a brief flash of surprise, Bill's eyes lit up with barely concealed elation.
"Julian Gilbert." Ivor's voice dropped low, his face like a gathering storm. "Don't bite the hand that feeds you. You'll only get this chance once."
"Honey—" Louise turned her tear-streaked face to me, eyes glistening, lashes clumped together. The tears fell in an endless stream, one after another, like a string of pearls snapping loose. She looked pitiful. Wounded. Utterly wronged.
"I already told you, last night was a misunderstanding. Why won't you listen to me?"
Bill grabbed my hand, his voice cracking with emotion.
"Julian, this is all my fault—every bit of it."
"I don't want your apology. Just please, don't fight with Louise anymore. If you can't stand having me around, I'll leave tomorrow. I'll disappear and never come back!"
"Louise truly loves you. Please don't divorce her. I'm begging you."
Looking at Bill and his nauseating little performance, my stomach turned.
"Get off me!"
I wrenched my hand free and shoved him back.
"Ahhh—!"
Bill crumpled to the floor, crying out in exaggerated pain.
"Julian! Have you lost your mind?!"
Louise rushed to help Bill up, cradling his reddened elbow. She whipped around and screamed at me.
"You want a divorce? Fine! I'll give you one!"
"It's not like I can't live without you."
She snatched up the divorce agreement and reached for a pen.
"Wait."
Ann stopped her.
"Julian, you can have your divorce. But you're leaving this marriage with nothing."
"And you'll publicly state that you had an affair during the marriage, causing the breakdown."
