The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 14

The image of Suzie making that vow was seared into his mind. There had been a light in her eyes, he realized now, but it wasn't the light of defiance—it was like she was fighting back tears.

He hadn't seen her cry in their entire year of marriage. What was she crying about now?

In a way, it seemed she was just as eager to be rid of him as he was of her. If he hadn't been the one to bring up divorce, would she have done it herself?

Jamie let out a heavy sigh, his thoughts swirling as he stared out the floor-to-ceiling window.

***

At two o'clock that afternoon, a gleaming Bentley pulled into the parking lot of City Hall. A pair of polished leather shoes appeared, followed by the tall, powerful frame of a man.

Jamie stood by the car, his cold eyes scanning the imposing sign above the entrance and then sweeping over the people coming and going. There was no sign of Suzie.

Aaron followed his gaze before handing him a pair of sunglasses. “It’s not quite two yet. Ms. Sterling is probably on her way, or perhaps she’s already waiting inside. The sun is strong; it would be best to wait in the lobby.”

Jamie put on the sunglasses and started walking toward the main entrance. “It’s two o’clock in three minutes,” he said irritably. “She better not be playing any games.”

Aaron hesitated before replying carefully, “I’m sure she’ll be here.”

Jamie stopped in his tracks and fixed Aaron with a stare. “And what makes you so certain? Do you know her so well? You saw the act she and her mother put on at the office today.”

Aaron lowered his gaze. “Mr. Baylor, Mrs. Baylor… I mean, Ms. Sterling… she’s not like that. In the past year, she’s been nothing but kind to all of us. The staff at the manor adore her.”

Jamie scoffed. The woman who had amassed a collection of limited-edition handbags and memberships to exclusive clubs over the past year? She wouldn’t be caught dead on a bus.

“Send people to find her. I don’t have time to wait.”

With sweaty palms, Aaron immediately called the security team to begin a search.

Half an hour later, they reported back: there was no trace of Suzie anywhere.

“A bunch of useless idiots,” Jamie snapped when Aaron relayed the news.

“Now do you see what kind of person she is?” he said, rising to his feet.