The Chauffeur [Complete]

Chapter 42

Two months later
I walked out of that courtroom feeling like I'd lost everything despite winning everything. I gave Sam the house, the car, and even the money. I let him keep all of it. I didn't want any of it. The only thing I cared about was our daughter.

I was half expecting him to file for full custody out of spite. I was glad when he didn't. He agreed on joint custody. I have her for two weeks out of the month, and he has her for the other.

The divorce ended up being fairly smooth in the end. Even though it took everything within me not to sell his rings and instead give them back to him.

Everly, who had been holding my hand, pulled away from me to go to Andi. My attention was on Sam, who gave me a small smile before walking over to his pregnant fiancée.

Every time I looked at her, everything came flooding back. Her at the office party smiling in my face while she talked about her pregnancy. Her on her knees before my hus- ex-husband in his office. I hated her. I hated her more than I hated Sam.

In all honesty, I should be grateful. If it wasn't for her, I'd still be fighting for a marriage and a baby my ex didn't want.  At least with me anyway.

I watched as Camille kissed Sam's cheek before the two started for the exit. He had his hand in hers, and the pair looked so happy. Which I'm sure they had a reason to be. Sam and I were finally divorced, which meant they could get married now.

And while they will legally be man and wife, it won't ever change what they did.

I felt a hand on my back and tore my gaze from the homewreckers. I stared into a pair of beautiful gray eyes. They were filled with concern.

"Are you okay?" Rade asked softly.

This wasn't easy. I didn't know anyone other than Sam. He was my life. And now that that was over, I was going to have to learn how to live without him. I wish it still didn't hurt. My heart. But it did. The wound was still fresh.

I fought back tears and forced out a small smile to hide my pain. Rade saw right through it.

He didn't utter another word. Just wrapped his arms around me and held me. Inhale. Exhale. He smelled especially good whenever I needed him. It comforted me. Made the pain less... painful.

"It's okay to cry," he whispered after a moment. "I got you."

Every emotion I'd been holding came pouring out like a mighty tsunami. I'm pretty sure I was getting all my makeup on his white shirt. I was sobbing hard. Uncontrollably. I'd been holding it all in because I wasn't about to let Sam see me broken again.

Every memory from what was said to each other and done with each other, it all came back to me.

When I was fourteen and he'd finally gained enough courage to ask me out. When we said "I love you" for the first time. When we were seventeen and my grandparents couldn't stop taking pictures of us on the night of prom. When I found out I was pregnant at eighteen. When he proposed. When we said "I do". When Everly was born and he broke down in tears.

When... the arguing never stopped. When I found out I still wasn't pregnant. When he stopped saying he loved me. When work became the most important thing in his life. When I found out he was cheating. When I found out the baby he was supposed to have with me had been given to another woman. When I learned that my life would forever be changed.

The good. The bad. The ugly. Every moment we ever shared filled my mind, prompting more tears to spill from my eyes.

My face was buried in Rade's shirt while I let it all out. This was what I needed. I slowly lift my head to look up at him. He wipes away my tears with a gentle touch.

"Is he gone?" I question, unable to look at him again. Especially looking so happy with Camille. He nods, and I relax just a little. 

His gaze hardens. "If you want him dead, just say the word."

I chuckled at his words despite knowing deep down there was some truth to what he said. He'd probably end Sam's life and do it with a smile. I almost brought up what Thalia had told me when we had lunch together, but shoved it back down.

"Thank you for being here," I say before glancing at Andi. She and Everly are seated on the bench immersed in their own conversation. Andi realizes I'm looking at her and directs her attention to me. "It really means a lot to have you both here. Seriously."

"You know I'll always have your back, boo."  I nodded. I knew that. Just like she knew I'd always have hers. 

Andi rises to her feet. "Why don't you let me take Ev," she suggests, changing the subject as her eyes shift between me and Rade. "I'm sure you could use some rest. Though I'm not totally sure you'll be getting any." 

She winks at me and Rade, and my cheeks burst into flames. I don't dare look in Rade's direction. The embarrassment will only spread if I look into those stormy eyes.

So instead, I shoot Andi daggers with my eyes. She flashes me an innocent smile as if she didn't just remind us about the elephant in the room. The arrangement we had made a little over two months ago. We were to wait until after I was divorced to have sex. And now that I was officially a free woman, Rade had the free will to do absolutely anything he wanted to me.

I hugged Everly, saying my goodbyes because I knew I wouldn't be seeing her until tomorrow. Andi also gave me a hug. She held on to me tight as she whispered, "Have fun, and don't you dare feel sorry about any of it, you hear me?"

I nodded, and she pulled back with a smile. "Take care of her," she said, looking over at Rade, who stood quietly and calmly. I wasn't sure what he was thinking at the moment.

When Andi and Everly left, he finally spoke. He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear. I shuddered. His accent was so prominent and beautiful in my ear as he whispered, "I'm going to make sure my mikrí fotiá(little fire) is well taken care of."

My entire body felt like it had been doused in lava, both hearts beating with excitement and anticipation. I had been waiting for this day to come and now it was finally here. Dios(God), I really do hope that the wait was worth it. And that I don't embarrassment myself further.