On New Year's Eve, I arrived at the hotel at the time that Max told me to come. I knew he was at his brother's wedding and didn’t want to intrude, so I texted him from the lobby that I was here.
A few minutes later, I saw him striding toward me. My heart expanded in my chest to see him. It wasn’t that he was amazingly handsome in his tux that had my emotions overflowing. It was the yearning in my heart for the man whose expression confirmed that he thought I was complicit in our marriage. His eyes were dark. He looked at me like I was the lowest form of life. My heart cracked even more.
“Amelia.”
“Max.” I studied him, wanting to find the man I’d fallen for.
He looked away. “I need to get back to my brother’s wedding.”
I nodded. “I can follow you.” Clearly, he didn’t want to be away from the reception for too long. He held out his hand, indicating that I should proceed him. As we reached the ballroom, he took my arm and led me to a corner.
“Do you have the papers?”
I looked at him again, not wanting to give him the papers. Not wanting to let him go. But even if he wasn’t angry at me, I couldn’t keep him. Not with my father viewing Max as a dollar sign.
I nodded and reached into my purse. I pulled out the envelope with the papers and handed it to him. He opened the package, slipping the papers out. His jaw tightened. His gaze turned away toward a couple on the dance floor. I knew it had to be his brother. He had the same blond hair and physique. The difference was his brother was incandescently happy, as was the woman in his arms.
Max sighed and turned his attention to the papers. He signed them with a flourish, like he was happy to be rid of me.
My hands trembled as I took them back. “Your brother looks happy.”
“He is.”
I inserted the papers into the envelope and looked up at him. “I’ll deal with these on Monday.”
He nodded. “The sooner, the better.”
I flinched at how vehemently he wanted all this to be over. For us to be over.
I should tell him about the baby, but I couldn’t find the words. Besides, now clearly wasn’t the time or place. Not at his brother’s wedding reception. I’d have to find another time.
“Bye, Max.”
“Bye, Amelia.”
My legs felt like jelly and my stomach churned as I exited the ballroom. What I wanted to do was turn around and throw myself at Max. I wanted to tell him that my father was a vile, greedy man, but I had nothing to do with his marriage scheme. I wanted to tell him that I loved him. I wanted to tell him we were having a baby. But I didn't turn. I kept walking.
When I reached the lobby, I couldn’t take another step. I sank into one of the chairs for guests.
I rubbed my temples, feeling confused. Deep down, I knew the best thing I could do for Max was to leave this place and never make contact with him again. But in doing that, he wouldn't know about the baby and the baby would never know its father. That didn't sit right with me.
At the same time, telling him about the baby probably wouldn’t go over well. Then again, maybe it would be the opportunity for me to explain everything, to tell him what my father had done, not just to him but to me too. And most importantly, to tell him I loved him.
But now wasn't the time. Not at his brother's wedding. I'd already determined that I had to leave Las Vegas and get away from my father. Maybe if I moved to New York, I could seek Max out then and tell him about the baby.
Would he be willing to meet with me if I contacted him there? During the brief encounter that we had tonight, he made it clear that he could barely tolerate being around me. The only reason he agreed to it was because it was necessary to end our marriage.
I blew out a breath. Maybe I could tell him when we went to court for the final annulment. That is, if he came to court. The law said that if Max didn't show up to the court date, the annulment would be granted as a matter of course. He knew that. From the moment he signed the papers, his obligation to terminate our marriage had ended.
Around me, bells rang out from the casino. People talked and laughed. Some shouted in joy at winning while others yelled at losing. Life was going on. But I couldn’t go on. Not with so much left unsaid. Not without telling him about the baby.
I stood and made my way back toward the ballroom. Music and laughter emanated from inside. I wished I could be part of a family that expressed so much joy. But I wasn’t a part of them. That meant I couldn’t walk in and demand to talk to Max. Instead, I found another chair and sat to wait until the wedding reception was over and he exited the room.
I didn’t have to wait long before a man who looked just like Max exited the ballroom carrying his wife. The two of them looked like the happiest people in the world. The complete opposite of me.
Max’s brother set his bride down, tugged her close, and gave her searing kiss, which she returned.
"How about we go consummate this marriage?" Sam said to his new wife.