But Xavier didn't care anymore. He went after her, pulling her back into his arms.
"Tilda, I was so afraid I'd lose you just now."
She struggled against him. "Xavier, stop it. I'm your stepmother now!"
His expression shifted. He pressed her against the wall, his voice raw.
"I never wanted you to be my stepmother. We grew up together—you and me, that was always the real thing!"
"If I wasn't afraid that marrying you would set tongues wagging and hurt you, do you think I would've married Maggie?"
"She was nothing but a shield to keep people from talking. You're the only one I've ever loved."
Tilda stopped struggling. She wrapped her arms around him.
Every word hit me like ice water filling my lungs. My legs gave out, and I crumpled to the ground.
With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and called Renata.
"Renata, I need you to draft a divorce agreement. You're my lawyer."
Her voice spiked immediately. "What happened? Did Xavier do something to you?!"
I didn't answer her question. "Just do what I'm asking. Please."
Then I called my father.
"Dad. I'm getting a divorce."
Silence on the other end. Then his voice came through, steady and warm.