I hugged her tight and felt tears streaming down my cheeks. When I looked in the direction of the pool, I saw Brooks smile at me. He was happier than I’d ever seen him.
All baggage aside, I’d found my happy ending and it was like a dream come true.
The only thing left to do was get that divorce.
Chapter 48
Believe it or not, I’d made it through the entire night without wanting to commit a violent act on Melissa or Branch. It was probably due to my being so infatuated with my own new relationship to even care about them. Every moment I spent watching Brooks and our daughter bonding made my heart bigger. She was so drawn to him, as if her little brain just knew exactly who he was. A month ago she would have been asking for Bobby. Since Brooks came into her life, she’d never once mentioned him or looked out a window for his vehicle. After his last episode I was grateful.
It was a blessing, knowing that the next few months were going to be difficult. I’d spent some time using the family computer to look up divorce laws in South Carolina. They were pretty much the same as everywhere. I’d have to be separated for a certain amount of time before I could lawfully file for a divorce. In the meantime, I’d just have to keep that life a secret from this wonderful family that had opened their arms and let me back into their lives.
While sitting up in bed waiting for Brooks to come and join me, I thought about them finding out the truth. I knew that in time they would forgive me, but it would also come with me losing their trust. I didn’t want to be dishonest to them, but it sure beat telling them all of the wrong decisions that I’d made throughout the way.
Brooks came in and pulled off his shirt. I spotted his tattoo and saw him smiling at me doing it. “If I would have known that you’d be so into it, I would have sent pictures with my letters.” He climbed on the bed and rested his head on my thigh. “What are you in here thinking about?”
I unfolded my hands and looked down at them. “I don’t know. Life, I guess. It’s just hard to believe that I’m here, with you, in your bed. It’s surreal, you know? Us being together and everyone being okay with it?”
He grabbed one of my hands and folded our fingers together, before sitting them on his chest. “To be honest with you, even if they had a problem it wouldn’t change us. We’d still be together, Kat.”
He was right. I wouldn’t have cared what anyone thought, because after getting him back, I knew I couldn’t possibly begin to let him go. Not again.
“I love how you just know what you want, Brooks. I want you to know that I looked up what I need to do to get a divorce. It should be easy, since we don’t have children or belongings together. Bobby can walk away with his home and business, while I keep my house and all of my money.”
“He doesn’t have access to those accounts?”
“No. I put them in Brooklyn’s name as soon as she was born. Only she and I will be able to draw money out of them. Bobby doesn’t even know how much I have left. He thinks I used almost all of it on the house.”
Brooks looked surprised. “How much did they leave you?”
I let out a laugh, seeing as it was so easy to tell Brooks anything he wanted to know. “Eight-hundred fifty four thousand-two hundred thirty dollars and fourteen cents was how much I got when I was able to finally access the account. I memorized the amount because, at the time, I was so hard up and needed it. The house cost me three hundred grand. I gave my friends that helped me twenty five grand and I bought everything new for inside the home too.”
Brooks sat up and stared at me. “You have half a million dollars hidden from your husband and he never knew?”
I flashed him a guilty look. “Yeah. I wanted Brooklyn to have the best life. I knew that after I built the house, I wouldn’t have to work to afford a mortgage. I could be home with her, where I wanted to be.”
“I can see where he wouldn’t even ask. Look, you know I don’t care about that money. Your parent’s house and the life insurance was for you anyway. That money isn’t for me or for your husband. I just have one question for you.”
“Anything.”
“When can I move in, because me living on the base isn’t exactly going to work for me when my girls have that nice big house and I can’t be with them.”
“I told you already that you’re going to live with me. I thought you knew that I meant now.”
He sat up and got right in my face. “I’m teasing you. Do you really think I’d spend one night without the two of you? I’ve literally been to Hell. I’m in this for the long haul, woman. There’s pretty much nothing you can do about it, either. I hate to break it to you, but you’re stuck with this forever.” He motioned to his body.