Amandine searched Catherine’s expression for a clue about what she was thinking. Coming in person to return the ring wasn’t strictly necessary. FedEx would’ve been more than happy to do the honors.
Catherine took a steadying breath. “If you’re serious about it, the wedding band would strengthen your bargaining position.”
“It…would? How?”
“Think about it. He left it at an ex-girlfriend’s place after finding out that she wasn’t married anymore. Not just any ex, but one he almost married.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I feel responsible. If it hadn’t been for my bad judgment, you wouldn’t have married Gavin…or him you.”
Amandine looked away. Catherine knew as well as she did that Gavin had married on impulse—a rebound.
“Amandine, you’ve been with Gavin for more than three years now, but men aren’t your strong suit, and I don’t think you understand him very well. He has a very forceful personality, and he’s stubborn.”
“Uh…” It took a real effort not to laugh. “I think I know that.”
“Yes, but what it means for you is, if you don’t make it clear what you want from him, you’re never going to get it,” Catherine said.
“What I want…?”
“That’s right. You do know, don’t you?”
Did Amandine know what she wanted—no, needed—from Gavin? And how hard it was to talk about it? She longed for Gavin to give it to her of his own volition, not because it’d save their marriage or he could avoid personal defeat.
“If you don’t tell him, expect him to use you. That’s why he wanted to marry me in the first place.”
“To use you? No offense, but I thought it was more the other way around.”
Catherine laughed. “Oh, Amandine. Just be careful you don’t get screwed in your divorce settlement.”
“‘Screwed?’ Gavin’s worth twenty billion dollars. Even one percent of that would set me for life.”
“You think so now, but don’t forget how much it’s going to take to maintain the lifestyle you’ve become accustomed to. Do you know how much it costs to have a private jet or a fully staffed household?”
“I have no idea.” It was something Gavin always took care of. “But I’m fine with going back to the way I was before.
“You should squeeze every penny out of him. That may be the only thing you have left to show at the end of the day.”
Amandine’s throat was dry. “Gavin and I are working on a reconciliation.”
“You need a man who’ll be there for you,” Catherine went on, “not foist you off on other people while he does his own thing. If you stay married in that kind of a relationship, money or no, you’ll spend your life wondering why you feel more alone than you did when you were single.” Her gaze took on a faraway look. “You need a man who’ll love you more than you love him. That’s the only way you’ll be okay in a marriage. If not… Well, you’re gambling with your life. It’s not like we’re capable of providing for ourselves, you and I.” She gestured at the room. “Not like this.”
“Gavin and I are having a baby.” Amandine put a protective hand over her belly. “I’m sure we’ll work things out.” So if you’ve come here to encourage me to leave him so you can scoop him up, just go. Just go.
Catherine flinched. “Well, congratulations. But you think a baby will keep you together? Save your marriage?” She shook her head. “Maybe for a while. But one day, the baby will grow up and leave the nest. And then what will sustain the marriage? What’s going to bind you and Gavin together?”
A tremor ran through Amandine. She wanted to hate her cousin, shut her up, but she couldn’t. Catherine was voicing every one of her fears, and it made them seem much more real, not just some phantom in Amandine’s mind. Her heart thumped. “Do you want Gavin back?” Her voice came out hoarse and harsh, but she had to know. “The way you did with the necklace? Is that why you’re here?”
Catherine winced. “You still haven’t forgiven me for that?”
“Of course I forgave you. But—”
“I was stupid. I didn’t care about anything except being accepted. One of the girls thought I should do it.”
“Miss ‘What Catherine giveth Catherine taketh away’?”
“Yes. Madison. I thought she was a friend until Daddy lost everything. She turned against me the minute she heard the family wasn’t doing well.”