He Made Me Sign, Not Knowing I Was Another's Wife novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: The Order

Courtroom Four was full by ten to nine.

It was a public hearing, and half of Boston had seen the ballroom screens.

I sat in the second row between Ruth and her lawyer, in the navy dress, with Ansel on my other side and not touching me, because the clerk had asked everyone to keep their hands visible.

Clay sat at the front table with his attorney.

He had not slept.

His collar was open, and the ring Vivienne had given back sat in his coat pocket, a small hard shape I could see from where I was.

The judge came in and sat.

She was an older woman with a flat Boston voice and a pen she clicked once before she spoke.

"This is a motion to vacate a consent order signed nine days before a wedding that has since taken place. Counsel for the movant?"

Clay's attorney stood.

"Your Honor, my client signed in a moment of family strain. The order was never meant to be permanent. He wishes only to be free to speak to Ms. Marsh, to apologize in person."

"Mrs. Winslow," said the judge, glancing at her file. "Ms. Marsh's name has changed."

"Yes, Your Honor," I said.

"You are not required to speak, Mrs. Winslow. But the order is mutual, and it can only be undone if you agree. Do you?"

The room went still.

I had thought about this on Saturday night, and Sunday, and in the shower at Ruth's with the hot water going cold.

I had thought I'd feel a pull to forgive, because I always had.

I waited for the pull.

It didn't come.

"No, Your Honor," I said.

"Will you tell me why?"

"He had four years to apologize. He spent them going quiet until I begged. Then he put a pen in front of me and told me not to cry to him on his wedding day." I kept my voice level. "I signed it because I had somewhere better to be. I would like it to stay exactly as he wrote it."

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