He Got Engaged Upstairs. I Disappeared Downstairs

When Nathan Hayes set the divorce settlement in front of me, he placed another file beside it.

A man's photograph lay on top.

Thirty-four. Single. A steady career, a home of his own, no complicated family obligations.

It was more thorough than a dating profile.

Nathan sat across from me, as calm as if we were making dinner plans.

“Evan Brooks is heading back to Charlotte next week. He's interested in getting to know you. His rehab center is hiring, too. You used to work in speech therapy. You could have a job and a place to settle down.”

I left the file untouched and picked up the divorce papers.

——————————

When Nathan Hayes set the divorce settlement in front of me, he placed another file beside it.

A man's photograph lay on top. Thirty-four. Single. A steady career, a home of his own, no complicated family obligations. The information went well beyond a dating profile.

Nathan sat across from me, speaking as casually as if he were planning dinner.

“Evan Brooks is heading back to Charlotte next week. He's interested in getting to know you. His rehab center needs staff, too. You used to work in speech therapy. Once you're there, you could get your work and your life settled.”

I didn't touch Evan's file. I picked up the divorce settlement instead.

We'd been married for seven years. We had no children. Nathan had owned the house before we married, and we were splitting our marital savings equally. He was also offering me two condos and enough money to support an ordinary person for years.

There was nothing objectionable in the settlement. It was generous, even.

I took a pen and turned to the last page.

Nathan watched my hand. “Claire Bennett, you can take a few more days to think. Olivia isn't moving back until the end of the month. There's no rush to finish this.”

At the sound of Olivia Grant's name, I stopped with the pen poised over the paper.

Seven years earlier, Nathan's father had died suddenly. Problems at the company had followed one after another. That was when Olivia had accepted a job overseas and broken up with him.

For a long time, Nathan could barely sleep. At his worst, being in an enclosed space left him struggling to breathe.

I went to his appointments with him and organized his daily medication. For three straight months, I stayed until he fell asleep before leaving.

My family was struggling then, too. My mother had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and the treatment costs were more than we could manage.

Nathan's mother lent us the money. She also asked whether I would consider marrying her son.

“He needs someone he knows and can trust beside him,” she said.

I agreed. Not because of the money. I'd been in love with him since college.

He didn't touch me on our wedding night. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he made me a solemn promise.

“We rushed into this. But I'll take care of you.”

In many ways, he did. When I was sick, he had a doctor come to the house. When my family tried to make me pay my older brother's debts, he stopped them. When someone made a joke about my background, he defended me in public.

After seven peaceful years, I had begun to believe that sharing a life could matter more than an old love.

Then Olivia came back to the United States.

Nathan picked her up at the airport himself. It was our wedding anniversary.

I waited at the restaurant until closing. All I got was a text.

“Olivia isn't feeling well. I won't be home tonight.”

Three months after her return, he asked for a divorce. By the time he brought me these final papers, the court process was already nearing its end.

I didn't ask whether he loved me anymore. His answer was right in front of me.

I lowered the pen and signed my name wherever it was required.

Instead of looking relieved, Nathan frowned.

“Aren't you going to ask why Olivia came back?”

“It doesn't matter.”

“She didn't leave because she stopped loving me.” He explained anyway. “Her father was very ill. She had to take the job overseas. He's passed away now, and she's finished working there.”

I closed the document. “So the two of you can finally start over.”

“Yes.”

He didn't try to deny it. After a pause, he pushed Evan's file toward me again.

“I want you to start over, too, Claire. Evan and I went to college together. He's a good man. Haven't you wanted to work at a rehab center again? He can help you with that.”

I looked up. “I've met Evan twice. At your parties.”

“You can get to know each other.”

“Like we did?”

His expression stiffened.

I slid the file back. “I'll agree to the divorce. I won't date Evan, and I won't move there for a job you've picked out for me.”

“He really liked you.”

“That's his business.”

“Your parents have already spoken to his.”

For a couple of seconds, I couldn't answer.

“You told my parents about this?”

Nathan seemed to see nothing wrong with it. “Your father thinks it's a good idea. Evan lives in Charlotte. If you move there, you won't have to stay in Boston and listen to people gossip.”

My husband wasn't simply leaving me. He'd already chosen my next city, my next job, and my next partner.

“Nathan.” I looked straight at him. “Are you trying to make this up to me, or get me out of the way?”

He frowned harder. “I'm not throwing you out.”

“What if I stay here and remain single?”

“You won't.” He sounded utterly certain. “You're used to being taken care of. Family matters to you. Evan would be better for you than I am.”

I gave a small, disbelieving laugh.

Seven years of marriage, and he thought I was the one being taken care of.

Who remembered where his stomach medication was? Who stayed up with him until dawn when he couldn't sleep? Who dealt with the tension between him and his mother? He'd grown so used to all of it that he no longer noticed the effort.

I took my wedding ring out of the drawer and set it beside the papers.

“Please cancel the setup with Evan.”

“He flies back into the country the day after tomorrow.” Nathan's voice hardened. “At least meet him.”

“No.”

“Do you think I'll change my mind if you refuse to see anyone else?”

For a moment, I didn't understand. Then I did.

He thought I was rejecting Evan because I couldn't let him go.

“Don't worry.” I turned off the location sharing we'd used as a family. “I'm not going to threaten to stay single forever to make you feel guilty.”

“Then why refuse?”

“Because I don't have feelings for him. And because, after leaving you, I want some time to take back my own life.”

Nathan was quiet for a moment.

“Give it seven days. Evan will be at the dinner our families have arranged. If you still say no then, I won't push you.”

I watched him. “Day seven is also your engagement party with Olivia.”

For an instant, he looked uncomfortable.

The two events were scheduled for the same day. In the same hotel.

Upstairs, Nathan and Olivia would celebrate their engagement. Downstairs, my family would introduce me to the man they'd chosen for me.

He probably thought it was perfect. We'd both step into new lives on the same day, with nothing left to owe each other.

“All right.” I put the divorce papers away. “You'll have my answer on day seven.”

Nathan stood and headed for the door. I stopped him one last time.

“What if my answer is still no?”

He looked back. “Then it ends. No one will pressure you again.”

I nodded. “Remember you said that.”

After the door closed, I picked up Evan's file. Beneath it was a referral form for the Charlotte rehab center.

Nathan had signed as my reference. He'd even filled in the recommendation.

“Easygoing, attentive to others' needs, and well suited to a stable, long-term caregiving role.”

I stared at the words “attentive to others' needs.”

Apparently, all he knew about me was who I might be useful to next.