“All right.” I wrap my arms around my middle as he holds my gaze from across the room. “You?”

“Strange.” He shrugs one shoulder. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet that you’re not my wife anymore.”

The possessiveness of the word “wife” grates against my skin. For years, I felt like I was nothing more than a pretty accessory he’d flaunt when the mood struck, then tuck away when he was done showing me off. My value in his life became limited to fancy dinners and rubbing elbows with those he deemed important to his goals. And for a while, I lived off those moments, hoping they’d be enough to get me through, but they never were. “I guess signing those papers didn’t change the fact that I’m still in love with you.”

“Matthew—” I dig my nails into my palm, hoping that he doesn’t do what he’s done dozens of times since I told him that I was leaving him and attempt to talk me into giving him another chance.

“I know I might not have shown it like I was supposed to,” he interrupts, holding up his hands. “But I do love you, which is why I just gave you what you wanted.” Pushing away from the table, he starts walking toward me. “If you need anything, you know how to get a hold of me.”

Nodding, I hold my breath when he stops in front of me and leans forward to brush his lips across my cheek.

“See you tomorrow evening.”

I don’t reply. The reminder that our connection will never fully be severed washes away any of my earlier relief. He and I will always be in each other’s lives in one way or another. Our families are linked through business and friendships that were established long before either of us were born.

When I hear the door close behind me, I walk over to flip the lock in place, then head across my studio to PJ, who is whining, trying to get my attention. Opening his kennel, I pull him out, and he instantly nuzzles into my neck, like he senses that I’m upset and is trying to comfort me.

I never planned on having an animal of any kind, but two years ago, I walked into a pet shop with my best friend Molly, who was picking up food for her dog, and I saw PJ in a pen in the middle of the store. The moment I laid eyes on him, I couldn’t help but ask if I could hold him, and it wasn’t long after that I was leaving the store with a puppy I had no clue how to take care of.