Bury the Ex, Wed the Heir novel · Chapter 23 of 24
Chapter 23: Number Four
Silvan crossed the library.
He took the settlement off the table before Linnet's pen touched it.
"Mr. Ravenscroft," the lawyer began.
"Leave the room, please."
"Sir, the board has approved."
"Then the board can approve this."
Silvan took the contract from the open leather case, all four pages with Madam's signature at the bottom, and held it up in both hands.
He tore it in half.
He tore it again, and again, and let the pieces fall on the carpet.
The lawyer stared.
Edith put down her teacup.
Madam folded her hands on her rosary and did not say a word.
"Two years," Silvan said. "A clause for the shares, a clause for the loan, a clause for no touching. I wrote none of it, and I signed none of it for anyone but her."
He turned to Linnet.
"I will not hold you to a page. I won't have you stay because a document says you should. If you want the settlement, take it. I'll walk you to the gate myself."
Linnet put the pen down.
She had a speech.
She had practiced it on the stairs the night before, in the dark, to nobody.
It left her completely.
"I stood in front of your picture and I bowed," she said. "I did it because I thought a dead man was safe."
"I know."
"I'd rather be your widow than anyone else's wife."
"Linnet."
"I mean it, Silvan. I'm not asking for the marriage to end, and I'm not asking for the money. I'd rather have you, with a cane, in a house with a door at the end of the hall."
The room was very quiet.
"That," Silvan said, in a low and unsteady voice, "is not a choice you have to make."
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