Lisa nodded. “I can understand why you married her to protect her. It’s skating around the law, but sometimes there’s good reason.” She cleared her throat. “The good thing is, Lilia didn’t enter the U.S. illegally. She had a valid student visa. So that’s in your favor. I’m pretty sure I can fix it so she can keep her green card since you’ve been married for over three years.”
Great. Didn’t matter now, but whatever. “That’s kind of you.”
Lisa took a sip from the glass of water in front of her. “Is Lilia involved with anyone?”
“Why would that matter?”
“Because if she could marry someone else, it would help. But it’s not a necessity.”
Rafe rubbed his eyes. Such a long couple of days. “Honestly, I don’t know. She seems happy just working for the realtor and keeping house for my dad. She’s really a great person.”
“I’m sure she is.” Lisa shuffled some papers on the table. “Here are the forms you need to file to dissolve your marriage. Only one of you needs to file, and since you’re here, let’s go ahead and get this ball rolling.”
A lump formed in Rafe’s throat. He hadn’t even talked to Lilia about this. And now? With Angie marrying someone else? He didn’t need to go through with this at all.
He sighed. Wrong. It was time. Angie was marrying a man she didn’t love. Rafe—and Lilia—deserved better than that. Once their marriage was dissolved, they could each find love and spend eternity wed to their soul mates.
Well, at least Lilia could. Rafe had already found love. Too bad
it would never be returned. Maybe though, just maybe, he’d find it again someday.
He signed on the dotted line and shook hands with Lisa and Dallas. “Thank you for your generosity and kindness. Both of you.”
“You’re most welcome,” Lisa said. “I’ll be in touch.”
Rafe said goodbye and left.
Now home, to tell Lilia they were getting a divorce.
Chapter Seventeen
“How did you get him to start using that cane?” Rafe asked Lilia.
“I finally put my foot down.” Her smile gleamed. She looked as though she’d just conquered Mount Everest. “I told him I was out of here if he didn’t start taking better care of himself.”
Her soft gaze rested on his father. Was that love in her eyes? Rafe wasn’t sure. He inhaled and let out the air in a slow stream. Now or never.
“I need to talk to you two.”
“About what, son?”
“About…us, I guess. Lilia and me.” He cleared his throat. “I think it’s time to end the marriage.”
Lilia and his father looked at each other. Neither seemed fazed. What was going on?
His father lifted his gaze to Rafe. “Could I ask why?”
“I’ve…been thinking. A lot, actually. I was young when I agreed to this, and at the time I didn’t think I’d ever want to marry or have kids. I’ve changed my mind.”
“Oh,” Jack said.
“But don’t worry. I’ve talked to a lawyer, and Lilia will be able to keep her green card since we were married more than three years. It’s all worked out.”
“How much will it cost?” Lilia asked.
“The filing fees, of course. Other than that, nothing. I’ll owe Dallas McCray a big favor, but nothing, for now.” He grinned. “Maybe I can give his kids riding lessons or something. I’ll figure it out.”
“I don’t like you beholden to anyone, boy,” Jack said. “We Grayhawks find our own way.”