Page 119 of Silent Ties

What kind of life do I want for her?

Monsters in the dark already took her mother.

We all live in the gray, sweetheart.

I shiver at Max’s voice.

“What do you mean?” I tentatively ask.

She places her elbows on the table. “Divorces are pretty standard work for lawyers, right?”

Bennie’s face remains blank, but he nods. “If that’s what you want?” he questions me.

Is it?

“They won’t give me one.”

I’m ashamed to read it on Ren’s face.They. Because I’m not just married to Max, but to his entire family.

“I would have nowhere to go.”

Ren shrugs. “Easy enough to sort out.”

“But the baby?” I ask. She’s still at the hospital and knowing Lev, there’s an abundance of bodyguards.

“Legally, they cannot take that baby,” Bennie assures me.

“Legally, Lev doesn’t strike me as giving a fuck,” I retort.

Ren snorts, but her green eyes are serious. “You want out, we’ll get you out.”

“Why do you care?” Is this some kind of play?

“I got fucked over by Lev,” she says. “Everyone knows that. But if you’re worried this is a plot to get back at the family, fuck that. I’m here to help you. You didn’t get to make a choice, but I’m giving you one now.

But I did make a decision. I decided to help Daisy out.

Ren cocks her head to the side. “I’ll help you, if you want.”

It’s no longer about what I want. It’s about what’s best for Daisy’s daughter.

Bennie and Ren are talking, but I slowly stand up. They must notice because I hear movement behind me. The hostesspeers at me with concern as I pass her. I’m dimly aware of the bell above the door.

At Marissa’s my senses were crisp. I saw everything, I felt nothing. Now I think I feel too much and that’s why everything is dull and blurry around me.

Max crosses the street, meeting me right outside of Fujimori’s.

He brushes my cheek, worry vibrating off him.

“Do you think we should get a divorce?” I ask.

CHAPTER 30

Maxim

“Are you getting any sleep?” Dad asks.

“You didn’t call just to ask about my sleep habits.” The black SUV sways as we move in and out of traffic.