Page 57 of Into The Rabbit Hole

“These are all the company registration documents, title deeds to the house and all assets I own, contact details for all the company investors, licenses, and passwords to get into the computersystems.”

“Why are you walking around with a bag containing allthat?”

“For God sakes, Regina, can’t you see I’m here to give you control of everything?” he answered on a strainedbreath.

Again, she looked at him, not understanding. Not accepting. “You’re giving meeverything?”

“Yeah. I figured you could distribute what you want to the kids, depending on their needs. It’s yours todecide.”

“Why are you doing this?” He could have just given Wade control, or someoneelse.

“It seemed like the right thing todo.”

“Why now? Couldn’t you have done the right thing twenty years ago and spared Rachel’s life?” She couldn’t help her outburst. It was just that his response seemed so out of place forhim.

It seemed like the right thing to do.There were so many times when Ben could have done the right thing. Aaron had revealed so many terrible things that this man had done. Too many terrible things, and a lot of people had suffered because of him. There was nothing he could do to make up for any of the wrong hedid.

“I was selfish and power hungry. That’s me. I don’t know any other way. It made me hard hearted and did what I had to, to protect what I had. I didn’t care that I hurt people. Until now. Aaron knew exactly how to get to me. He came at me through myfamily.”

She assumed his way of thinking seemed logical and reasonable to him, but it wasn’t acceptable to her. There was, however, nothing further that she could expect from him. He was right; selfish and power hungry was him. His family were all like that and he was that waytoo.

“I hope that we all make it through this.” She hoped that Detective Fray could catch Aaron before any more damage could be done. That would be ideal. However, that was proving to be nearimpossible.

“Me too. Anyway. I should go. I’ll see you at the divorce hearing.” He gave her a curt nod and pushed the carrier bag over to the wall andleft.

She stared after him thinking about her years with him again. Over 35 years. It was a lot of time. Too much time and a life wasted without Brian. In her heart, she was still that nineteen-year-old girl who was so in love with him, heartbroken she couldn’t marry him and distraught that she had to marryBen.

Brian walked inside and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his thick forearms. He ran his hands through his curls and offered a small smile. “Youokay?”

“Yeah.” She held out the envelope to him as he walked up toher.

“What’sthis?”

“The divorce petition. Ben signed it. We have court next Wednesday to finalizeit.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I’mfree.”

“Free.”

She could see that he was trying hard not to smile but failing, and the small smile he had turned into a brightone.

“Come here,” she said, beckoning him with the crook of her finger. He leaned forward and she kissed him. Really kissed him, to the point where butterflies soared through her stomach and curled hertoes.

“Is it highly inappropriate to ask you to be mine?” he asked against herlips.

“I was alwaysyours.”

“Well, I feel like it’s my official duty to cheer you up. End this horrible day better than itstarted.”

“I’d love you even more if you did that.” She laughed. Actually laughed. Earlier she was so drained out that she felt she’d never smileagain.

“Okay, how about this, you know our talk aboutItaly?”

Weeks ago they had talked about it. About going there for awhile. “Yes, andyes.”

“Yes towhat?”