The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 83

"Sloane, don't forget, I haven't signed those divorce papers yet."

"You are still my wife!"

He didn't shout, but his presence was commanding, as if laying down the law for everyone present.

Sloane didn't respond.

She merely tugged on Lexi's hand and murmured,

"Let's go."

The two women turned and walked through the bright mall toward the elevators. The fading sounds of Archie's crying and Rosemary's low complaints drifted behind them.

Sloane never looked back.

*

Ten minutes later, Sloane and Lexi settled into a cozy diner on the fifth floor. Lexi ordered a feast and aggressively piled food onto Sloane's plate.

"Eat up. You won't get anything this good in Antarctica."

"This is amazing, try it."

"You're so thin, the wind over there will knock you right over."

Helpless against the onslaught, Sloane ate everything until she was entirely stuffed.

After dinner, they parted ways at the mall entrance. Lexi pulled her into a quiet corner and hugged her fiercely.

"Sloane, you listen to me," Lexi said, her voice muffled against her jacket. "You have to come back safe. Not a single scratch. And when you get back, you're going to watch my boxing match. We have a deal!"

Sloane patted her back gently, a lump forming in her throat.

"Okay, I promise."

"Lexi, you're the best friend I could ever ask for. Knowing you makes this life worth it."

Lexi froze. She pulled back and frowned, searching Sloane's dark, bottomless eyes. "Sloane... are you hiding something from me?"

For a while now, she had felt that something was off with her friend.

But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

"What could I possibly be hiding? Don't overthink it," Sloane said with a soft smile.

No answer.

Frowning, she assumed a neighbor had pressed the wrong button. She was about to walk away when a low, raspy voice broke the silence.

"It's me."

Sloane's heart skipped a beat. She knew that voice.

She hesitated for a few seconds before finally unlocking the door. Garrison was leaning against the wall, his head bowed, his expression hidden in the shadows.

A heavy scent of alcohol hung in the air.

He lifted his head to look at her.

The dim light cast shadows across his face. His usually sharp amber eyes were bloodshot and raw.

He just stared at her. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.

"Darling..."

"I missed you."