The Wife Who Was Divorced

Gabriella's POV

I got divorced and didn't even know it. Can you believe that shit?

The call came at 9:47 PM while I was going through Grandfather's photo albums.

"Gabriella, you need to come to my office right now."

The call came from my grandfather's lawyer, Richard.

I put down the photo. "Richard, it's almost ten at night. What's happening?"

He went quiet for a second, then let out this heavy sigh that made my stomach drop.

"Just tell me, Richard."

"Gabriella, I was reviewing some documents and according to court records, your marital status is listed as divorced."

The album fell right out of my hands. Photos went everywhere across the floor. "What are you talking about? That doesn't make any sense."

"Three months ago, someone filed a divorce decree with the court. Your signature is on it. And the current records show that William's legal spouse is Katya White."

"No, that's completely impossible. I never signed divorce papers. I would remember signing divorce papers." But even while I was saying it, I started getting these flashes of memory. All those nights sitting by Grandfather's hospital bed, barely keeping my eyes open. William sending me emails at weird hours saying he needed my signature on urgent documents for estate maintenance. And me, so exhausted I could barely think straight, just opening my iPad at three in the morning and signing whatever he sent. Seven files, maybe eight. I didn't read them. I just trusted him.

God, I was such an idiot.

"I'm getting on a plane," I told Richard. "I'll be there by morning."

The six-hour flight back east felt endless. I couldn't sleep, couldn't even close my eyes.

We landed around six in the morning. I didn't bother going home first. I told the driver to take me straight to the estate.

I was still sitting in the car when they came out. William walked through the front entrance with Katya right next to him. He had his hand on her elbow, guiding her carefully, treating her like she might break if he wasn't gentle enough. I watched him walk her to his car and open the passenger door for her. Then he actually leaned in to do her seatbelt, taking his time with it. He never did stuff like that for me.

"Follow them," I said to my driver. "Stay back far enough that they won't notice."

He looked at me in the rearview mirror and nodded.

They drove downtown and pulled into St. Mary's Medical Center. I grabbed a hat and sunglasses from my bag and put them on before getting out of the car. The hospital lobby had that sharp antiseptic smell that makes everything feel serious and scary. I stayed near the entrance, watching William and Katya walk up to the reception desk together.

"Katya White, here for her 12-week checkup," the nurse said loud enough that I could hear her from where I was standing.

Twelve weeks. That's three months. Three months ago I was still in California watching Grandfather get worse every day. Three months ago I was signing those fake contracts at three in the morning because I was too tired to function. Three months ago I was trusting my husband while he was apparently sleeping with someone else.

I felt dizzy for a second and had to grab onto a chair in the waiting room to steady myself. They walked down a hallway with a sign that said "Obstetrics" and disappeared into room 304. The door didn't shut all the way, so I followed them down the hall and pressed myself against the wall right next to the doorframe.

"Everything looks great, Ms. White," a woman's voice said from inside. The doctor. "Your baby is developing perfectly. The heartbeat is nice and strong."

I could see part of William's face through the gap in the door. He looked happy in a way I'd never seen before.

"Thank you so much, doctor," he said. "We're going to make sure this baby has everything."

Katya's voice was soft when she answered. "I'm not scared of anything as long as you're with me."

We're going to make sure. Not her. Not "I'll support her while she takes care of the baby." We. Like they were already a family.

When they came out of the room about fifteen minutes later, I ducked behind a big column in the hallway. My heart was going so fast. William had his arm around Katya's waist now, holding her close while they walked slowly toward the elevators. Right before the doors opened, he stopped and kissed her forehead.

I felt sick. Actually physically sick. I had to cover my mouth with my hand to keep from throwing up right there in the hospital hallway.

I couldn't just keep getting played like this. William needed to explain himself to me.