Chapter 21: Signed

Stephanie's POV

Randall came back with the envelope on Wednesday evening and signed it on Dennis's porch rail, under the yellow bulb.

He did not read it first.

"You should read it," I said.

"I know what it says."

"Randall. Read it."

He turned the first page, and the second, and he read all of it standing up in the cold.

His left hand held the paper flat.

The rowing scar ran pale across the palm.

I looked at it longer than I meant to.

I had kissed that palm once, the night before our wedding.

I looked away.

"It says half the savings and half the house," he said.

"It does."

"And support for the girls, and a share of the company's value."

"Yes."

"I don't want any of it."

I folded my arms.

"That's an easy thing to say on a porch."

"Then I'll say it at your lawyer's office. Keep the house. Keep the accounts."

"And you?"

"I'll rent something near Rowan Children's. I'll pay what the court says for the girls, and I won't contest one line."

"You're giving up half of everything."

"I'm asking for time," he said. "Tuesday and Saturday with Birdie and the baby."

"And?"

"Sunday dinners if you'll have me. Jasper whenever the hospital says he can come."

"That's all?"

"It's the only part I want."

I stood very still.

"I offered you half the savings because I wanted to see what you'd do," I said.

"I figured."

"I'm telling you that, because I said I'd never lie to you again, either. It was a test."

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