A Business Deal That Starts With 'I Do'

Part 16 - Chapter 15

CH. 15 She called Tim and asked him to refer her to a good divorce attorney. There was silence on the other end of the phone line and then he gave her a few names. Axel hadn't even texted her yet. He must have either stayed overnight at work, or when he got home, he just figured she went to sleep in the other room, but once she called in sick, she knew that would probably elicit some sort of response. By ten in the morning she got a text from him.

"What's going on? I heard you called in sick. What happened last night? I ended up staying at the office."

She shook her head when she read the last part. She knew she was making the right decision.

"I'm fine. I got some stitches, but they wanted me to take it easy for a few days."

"Do you want me to come home?"

That question almost did her in. She cried for a few minutes and then answered.

"No, I'm fine."

She had a meeting with one of the divorce lawyers at one and she got to his office early, very anxious to get the meeting underway. When she explained who she was and what she wanted, the attorney looked at her dumbfounded.

"You know you are giving him everything and you don't have to do that?" He asked her, probably thinking she was playing a joke on him.

"Yes. I just want to be out and leave as soon as possible. And I'll pay double your cost if you get it done right away."

"Okay, I'll have everything drafted by this afternoon. Can you come back and sign first thing tomorrow morning?"

"Yes," she said solemnly, not knowing how she was going to hide from Axel for another night.

When she got back to Ceasar's Palace she paced for a while, considering what she should do. Would it be better to tell Axel she wouldn't be home that night, or would it be better to see if he noticed and then let him contact her? She finally decided it would be better if she took the bull by the horns. She waited until dinner time.

"Axel, a girlfriend of mine is in town from college and I am going out to dinner with her. We will be late, don't wait up."

He texted back almost immediately.

"Okay, but let's plan on having dinner tomorrow night. I haven't even seen your stitches yet, how are you feeling? Maybe you shouldn't go out."

"I'm fine," Savannah texted back, resisting the urge to add a 'thanks' to the end of her text.

The next morning she showed up at the divorce attorney's office and reviewed all the paperwork. She had a few minor changes, but overall, it was exactly what she wanted. When he finished adjusting it, Savannah signed it all and he confirmed that the paperwork would be delivered to Axel within the hour. Savannah went back to the hotel and waited, pacing anxiously. Finally, about an hour after she got back, she got a text from Axel.

"What the hell Savannah? Where are you? I want to see you immediately!"

She ignored it. She got a call from her attorney mid-afternoon.

"I got a call from an attorney, who has identified themselves as your husband's attorney. I guess he is willing to sign the documentation, but he wants to meet with you."

"I'm not interested," Savannah said quickly, knowing there was no way she would be able to see Axel again without wanting to stay together.

"Then his attorney told me he will sell the company."

Savannah's heart momentarily froze. Axel wouldn't do that, would he? She was petrified with fear. Could she risk it? Could she call his bluff?

"I'll agree to meet with him, with our lawyers."