The Psychopath's Prisoner

Chapter 2

Facing each other across the table, Cheyenne and Tyler Harrington stared solemnly as their lawyers slid the papers across the table for them to sign. Cheyenne attempted to control her trembling hand as she signed. Today was the final chapter of the divorce and it broke Cheyenne's heart—five years of marriage thrown into the swamp. She wondered why and how things had gotten this far. Was it her fault things went awry? Did she not try hard enough? Had she not been a good wife? Is that why Tyler had turned to another woman? She hadn't been a good wife?

"Well, it looks like we are all done here, Mr. O'Neill." Her lawyer stood up to shake Tyler and his lawyer's hands.

Cheyenne sat there watching them before finally standing to stare out the sixth-floor's panoramic view of the Seagate Convention Center and the Toledo Mudhen's ball field with the Maumee River just beyond. Only five years of marriage and this is how it ends? Was it possible to love and hate someone at the same time?

Mr. Michael O'Neill's voice snapped her back to reality and she turned around to face the men. "Well, you got what you wanted. You should feel really great." While Tyler and his attorney were whispering to each other, Mr. O'Neill nudged her and whispered, "You are free of him and his cheating ways. I've been there and done that. It's never a good place to be." He flashed a sympathetic smile. "Just don't judge all men by one and I promise you will find the right one who will be faithful and love you."

Cheyenne grimaced, scrunching up her nose then sarcastically said, "Yeah. I feel really great. I'm only glad that there were no children or pets to divide up or figure out what to do with. It wouldn't have been fair to any of them."

Before she could say anything else, Tyler walked over to where she was still seated. His eyes met hers, which made her heart pound almost out of her chest. How could she still want him after what he did? She wanted to throw herself into his arms, yet sock him in the face, too.

"I'm sorry about everything I put you through, Chey. I really am." He reached out and gently played a finger on her shoulder drawing a random pattern.

She shrugged her shoulder, pulling away so his hand no longer touched her. She stood and replied, "If you were really sorry, it would've never happened in the first place, Ty. I gave you everything and you threw it all away for nothing." She snatched her blazer from the chair and forced her arms quickly into its sleeves. Cheyenne added, "I can't lie, Tyler. I still love you. However, it doesn't mean that I'll let you use me for special favors or anything else, because I know you and knowing how you are is why I say this. I hope things work out the way you want them to." She turned her back to Tyler. Mr. O'Neill stepped back to allow her to exit. He smiled politely at Tyler, turned and followed his client out the door.

"You are now a free woman, Mrs. Harrington. Er, Ms. Harrington," Mr. O'Neill said as they walked away from the elevator to exit the building.

Cheyenne shrugged. "Yeah. There's no Mrs. to my name any longer. It's over. It's really over."

Mr. O'Neill watched her. "Look, Ms. Harrington, it's not easy going through a divorce, but you will eventually pull your life together and come out stronger." Gently grabbing her arms in his big hands, he forced her to look him in the eyes. "Things will get better. I promise you. I've been where you're at." He paused. "It's always difficult at first, but it does get easier—especially when you realize you can make it on your own. Trust me." He let go and waited.

Tyler and his new very pregnant girlfriend, Elizabeth, walked out of the courthouse, arm in arm. Cheyenne watched, swallowed hard, and held back the tears. It hurt to see them together knowing they had been having an affair for the last year and a half. How could she have spent the last five years with a man she thought she knew? She was the one who was supposed to carry his children, not her. She didn't know if she could move on, despite her lawyer's encouraging words. What was she going to do now?