After She Said Yes Page 5

  “Well,” Erik said.

  “I have one question,” Gannon said. Aurora’s chest got tight as she took in a deep breath. “I want to know if in those six months, if Aurora and I decide to get back together, will that cancel the divorce?”

  “Are you delusional?” Aurora asked.

  “No, I just…” Gannon said.

  “We are here today just so I can prove to you I am serious about divorce. I want to show you that you lost the best thing that has ever happened to you,” Aurora said as she turned to her lawyer. “Are we done here?” Gannon’s eyes grew big as he became shocked that Aurora was sticking up for herself.

  “Well, I guess we….” Erik said.

  “Okay, good,” Aurora said as she got up to storm out of the office.

  “Wait, Mrs. Tousey,” Gannon’s lawyer said. “We have further things to discuss.”

  “What do you mean?” Aurora said.

  “Why don’t you take a seat?” Mr. Redding said.

  “I’d appreciate that you wouldn’t tell me what to do,” Aurora said.

  “Fine,” he responded.

  “So,” Aurora said as she sat down. “Do you mind telling me what you would like to say?”

  “I would like to talk about the dowry clause in your pre-nuptial agreement,” Gannon’s lawyer said.

  “The what?” Aurora said as she looked at her lawyer and whispered, “What does he mean? A dowry?”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this?” Erik said as he whispered to Aurora.

  “I didn’t know!”

  Mr. Redding handed them all copies. Aurora read over what was in front of her. In despair, she sank back in her chair. I feel like such an idiot. I thought this was a marriage license…

  “Look on page 8,” Mr. Redding said as everyone turned to page 8.

  “As you see here, it states that if the two parties do not conceive a child and heir to the McMaster estate, then the wife is subject to pay a dowry of fifty percent of all of their assets to the other spouse.”

  “What?” Aurora said. “I don’t remember signing or reading this!”

  “Your signature is on the bottom of the page, Mrs. Tousey,” Mr. Redding said as Gannon slouched back in his chair and looked down.

  “But I thought it was some marriage contract or something.” She looked at Gannon with fire in her eyes. “Is this why you never wanted to have kids, Gannon?” Aurora turned to her lawyer. “You know what, scratch what I said about not needing to do anything about this divorce settlement. I will be contesting this prenuptial agreement.”

  “On what grounds?” Mr. Redding said.

  “Please let me take this from here,” Aurora’s lawyer said. “From what I just heard from Mrs. Tousey now, she didn’t know about this agreement. So just off of that, as you know, Mr. Redding, Wisconsin law states that a pre-nup is not enforceable when the terms of the agreement are biased in either party’s favor.”

  “Okay,” Mr. Redding said. “So, you want to contest it. What grounds do you have? Maybe she is not telling the truth.”

  “I am not lying! When I walked in here today, I didn’t want anything from him. I didn’t even want to see him.”

  Erik cleared his throat to draw the attention to himself. “The pre-nup obviously favors one spouse,” Erik said. “Also, Mrs. Tousey did not have a lawyer present, nor was she given the option to have one, as this prenuptial agreement was drawn up on the day of their wedding. In addition, I am sure there has to be something else in here,” he said as he flipped through the pre-nup pages. “Well, I don’t know now, but I will find it.”

  “Well, I guess we will be fighting this in court,” Mr. Redding said.

  --

  A big gust of wind hit Aurora in the face as soon as she opened the door to walk to the parking lot. The wind sounded like Mother Nature was whistling. She quickly looked for her leather gloves in her purse. After the meeting with their lawyers, Gannon wanted to talk to Aurora.

  As she looked up, she saw Gannon walking fast towards her. Her heart beat fast and adrenaline ran through her veins. She thought he was going to attack her, as she was used to when he would walk fast towards her.

  After the lawyers left, Gannon was crying in the parking lot until he saw Aurora and yelled, “Baby, don’t do this.” Gannon stuttered, “I-I-I love you so much. You keep ignoring my calls and messages. I can’t stop thinking ‘bout you. Why would you leave me like this?” I just want him to suffer like he made me suffer.

  Aurora hated confrontation, but she was getting frustrated at this point. “Gannon, we are done,” Aurora said. “So, is your love for me your wanting me to pay you half of everything I have?”

  “Aurora,” Gannon said. “It is my parents. You know we are old southern money.”

  “If you are old southern money, then why do you need mine?”

  “Come on now, Aurora,” Gannon said. “You know that was my mother’s idea.”

  “You are not royalty, Gannon,” Aurora said. “Dowries like the one in that pre-nup are for royalty. You are far from it.”

  Gannon tried to get closer and touch her face. She flinched and threw his hand off of her. It brought back the trauma from one of the times he had slapped her so hard that he bruised her cheek.

  Aurora raised her voice, as she started listing off things with her fingers: “One, you flushed my phone down the toilet. Two, even though they are crazy, you never let me see my family. Three, you abused me for months and constantly left bruises on me. Do not forget the time you kicked my desk chair out from underneath me and bruised my whole left hip. It took months for that bruise to go away. Four, you made me want to kill myself all of the time, and I have not felt that way since I left you. Five, you made me feel like I was the problem, Gannon. I am not the problem, Gannon. You are. We are done.”

  Aurora turned her back on him and began to walk to her car. She didn’t want to give him a moment to respond.

  “Rora, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you like I did. I gave up everything for you. Why would you leave me? I only agreed to meet today so I could see you.” Aurora rolled her eyes as she walked towards her car and put on her leather gloves.

  Aurora did not fall for his sweet talk for another second. That southern charm no longer worked on her. Something made her stop in her tracks as she was walking away. She didn’t want him to say the last word.

  She turned around and took a deep breath. “You didn’t give up anything for me.” She raised her voice and said, “I gave up everything for you, Gannon! You manipulated me to stay with you. I never knew who you really were before I married you. You abused me mentally, emotionally, and physically. How many times do I have to point these things out to you?”

  Gannon gritted his teeth and knitted his eyebrows together as he said, “Yeah, I hit you sometimes, but you made me do it. Any man would hit a woman like you. I was never like that before I met you.”

  Aurora laughed hysterically. She wasn’t going to give attention to what he had said, like you ignore a child after they have misbehaved. Aurora went silent and her words were monotone as she said, “Okay, Gannon. That is why we are getting a divorce. Because of the woman I am. Now leave me alone. I am leaving.”

  Aurora almost turned around again as Gannon said, “Rora, no! I am sorry. I didn’t mean it. I am just p-p-pissed.” He was acting like a child who lost his toy.

  Aurora had enough of what was coming out of his mouth. She had no reason to listen to him or put up with what he had to say anymore. Aurora threw her hands up. She was fed up. She turned and looked at him again.

  “Gannon, I am done,” Aurora screamed. “Gannon, I hate you! Leave me alone!” Aurora turned her back and walked briskly to her car, almost running. She could feel Gannon running behind her, like the devil was chasing her.

  “Are you going to try to abuse me in the parking lot?” Aurora said. “Come and try it!”

  She ran to her car and slammed her car door, almost breaking Gannon’s hand by closing it. Ganno
n kept tapping on the window, screaming that he was sorry. Aurora started her car, pressed the gas, and drove away. Snow and a salty, icy slush flew up from under Aurora’s tires and covered Gannon. She drove away as fast as she could and saw Gannon in the rearview mirror fall to his knees.

  She started to cry. You finally did it, Aurora. You finally confronted him. She wiped the tears from her salty rose-colored cheeks. She was scared from her confrontation with Gannon, but proud she had stuck up for herself. She was happy the marriage was almost over.

  Aurora was still surprised how her relationship with Gannon was so perfect before marriage. Now how will I ever be able to trust again or feel safe with any man?

  Aurora thought back to her wedding day with Gannon. It made her even more upset and filled her eyes with more tears.

  Chapter 10

  It was the week of the big gala charity event, and Aurora was extremely busy. In between Aurora’s working and the divorce, she could not stop thinking about Melih. She couldn’t stop thinking about how he pulled her close that night at the club. Did I do something wrong that he hasn’t talked to me since?

  Though Melih would not message, Gannon would not stop. He was relentless and kept sending the same messages along the lines of, “Don’t do this, Aurora. Don’t leave me. I promise I will change.” Blah. Blah. Blah.

  The food vendor pulled out last minute because the head chef accidently cut off one of his fingers. Aurora scrambled to find a new vendor on such short notice. She was supposed to have a beautiful elegant French meal, but she ended up catering the event with food from her favorite restaurant on State Street, Crandall’s Peruvian Bistro. After big tests in college, she would always splurge by taking herself out to Crandall’s. She would order their ceviche as an appetizer and delicious Peruvian meat stir-fry, called Lomo Saltado, as her entree.

  It was an all-white dress code at the botanical gardens in Madison. Those gardens were where Aurora would go to read in the fall or just take a stroll in the spring to see the beautiful flowers bloom. They were lovely, as always, though during the gala they were covered in snow. Lights hung from posts and along the walking paths. Couples were walking outside side-by-side and holding hands to keep warm, while waiting for the event to start.

  Aurora had decided to wear a classy white pants suit. She thought if Hillary Clinton could pull off a white pants suit, she could as well. Aurora had her hair in a nice updo and was wearing the pearl necklace her grandma had given her.

  The hall where the gala was taking place looked like a winter wonderland. The tables were round with white tablecloths and white chairs. The centerpieces were short circular vases filled with water and tea light candles floating on the water’s surface.

  The event started, and Aurora made her introduction and shared a story of a woman who had gained help through DAIS. She actually told her own story, but no one knew that.

  After her introduction, she had to talk to a few of the donors: college presidents and professionals from around the city. However, she just wanted to enjoy her sixty-five-dollar-per-plate-meal.

  After thirty minutes of schmoozing and standing, she finally sat at a table in the back corner and relaxed.

  At Aurora’s table was a handsome man. He was wearing a white tux, like most of the men there, and appeared to be a few inches taller than she was. He didn’t look like he had the best posture either, or maybe he was just bored. He had dirty blonde hair with it combed to one side, and he had a nice physique. It seemed to Aurora like he was slowly balding but still trying to look edgy, though he looked great in that tux. He kept looking at Aurora and smiling as he pushed up his Ray-Ban black rimmed glasses up on the slope of his button nose. Aurora thought he was cute in a nerdy way.

  Aurora looked up at him and saw him leaving his chair to sit in the empty chair next to her.

  “Hello,” he said as he put out his hand for a handshake. “I am Jason Waters, Esquire. I work as the policy analyst for the Children’s Court Program.”

  Aurora pointed at his name tag. “Yes, I see that you are a lawyer. I am Aurora. I helped plan this event. I am the editor-in-chief for the Happy Living magazine.” She hesitated. “I guess my name tag says that.” She and Jason both laughed.

  “Yes, I saw you do the introduction on stage, too. We also have your magazine in our office.”

  Aurora didn’t seem surprised. “Oh, do you? That’s nice. A lot of offices have it.”

  Jason giggled. “Yes, I always laugh at your section in the magazine. I like your sense of humor.”

  “I am glad people are actually reading them,” Aurora said. “I didn’t think anyone would notice me from a magazine.”

  Jason took a sip of whatever he was drinking. “I am an avid reader, and nothing happens in Wisconsin that I don’t know about.”

  Aurora thought to herself, Wow, such a know-it-all. But somehow, she liked it. She was not used to being around smart, successful men. She looked down and laughed at her ridiculous footwear.

  “I am just joking about knowing everything, but I am an avid reader.” Jason sat up straight and cleared his throat. “So, this is a very lovely event. You did a great job with this. Everyone seems happy with the food. I know I am.”

  She was worried people would not be satisfied because of the last-minute food change. “Well, thank God. I am glad you like it.” She continued, “So, what brings you here?”

  “One of us from the office had the go. Since I am the only single one in the office with no kids, they usually make me go to these events.”

  “Oh, you are single.” Aurora thought about her divorce. “Well, I guess I am single, too.” I’m so stupid. I really didn’t need to say that. I guess I am single?

  Jason seemed confused. “You guess?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, well, I actually wanted to tell you how beautiful you look tonight.” Aurora’s cheeks flushed a bright red color. “I mean, you are gorgeous and confident.”

  “Well,” Aurora said. “Thank you.” Aurora looked down at her food. She picked up a French fry and ate it.

  “Are you all right?” Jason said.

  “Yes, of course!” Aurora said. “I-I-I am not used to compliments. That’s all.”

  “Really?”

  “Believe it or not,” she blushed. “Yes.”

  “Well,” Jason said. “Do you want to go out and have a drink after this with me and my friends?”

  Aurora was shocked, which caused her to almost choke on the fry. While gasping for air Aurora said, “Well, it is just… I don’t drink. I don’t drink alcohol.” She took a sip of water.

  “Oh, okay.” Jason seemed bummed.

  “I am kind of tired, too.” Aurora said. “I plan to go home after this. It has been a long week.”

  Aurora continued in a peppy voice, “Well, maybe we can get coffee sometime, though.”

  Aurora was usually not that assertive, but she thought she had nothing else to lose. Melih wasn’t messaging her. At the least, she would make a good networking contact or a friend.

  Jason seemed cheerful. “I’d love that. I can give you my number and you can text me.”

  Aurora grabbed his phone from her clutch and gave it to Jason. “You can save it in here and text your phone. That way you have my number also.”

  Jason slowly started to stand up as he buttoned up his tux jacket, “Well, it was nice meeting you. I am going to go meet up with my friends.”

  Aurora watched Jason walk away just like she had watched Melih. She hoped he would actually text her, or she was going to feel pathetic. Though the only message Aurora really wanted was from Melih.

  Chapter 11

  A week later, Aurora’s parents came to visit her. They didn’t come to visit her often, but it was her mother Elizabeth’s birthday and Aurora’s dad wanted to surprise her. Aurora didn’t want to be around her dad. She avoided him at all costs.

  Aurora felt a sharp pain in her chest while she was waiting for her parents. She took a Xanax f
rom her purse and swallowed it down with a gulp of water. Just remember, Aurora. You are meeting with them for your mother’s sake. Aurora’s mom was petite like she was. Her mom had dark, gray-blue eyes, short curly hair, a button nose, and freckles that Elizabeth would call “beauty dots.” She always had a smile on her face. Charles had gray curly hair; he had his German features of thin lips that you could barely see, a flat nose, and bright, piercing blue eyes. These were the traits that Aurora and her father shared.

  Charles said nonchalantly, “So, when is your court date?”

  “Well, you didn’t beat around the bush with that question,” said Aurora.

  Charles rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to be a smart ass.”

  “Charles, language!” Elizabeth blurted out. “Be nice to your daughter. She is going through a hard time. Be nice. We haven’t been able to spend much time with her since she married Gannon.”

  Charles said proudly, “No, my daughter is tough.” Your beating me as a kid did not make me tough.

  Aurora ignored those comments, “Well, the court date is March sixteenth. One hundred and twenty days after I filed. If everything goes right, I should be divorced that day.”

  Charles said as he laughed, “Too bad you won’t be divorced by your birthday.”

  Aurora rolled her eyes. “Well, that is the last thing I was thinking of, Dad, but okay.” Aurora started to quiver. “I know I always come off as so tough, but I have to tell you guys something.”

  Elizabeth seemed overly concerned and opened her eyes wide. She said in a soft voice, “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you all right?”

  “Well, I am fine. I just want to tell you something about Gannon.”

  “Well, what did that little effer do now?” Charles said as he clenched his jaw with anger. As Aurora saw her dad clench his jaw as Gannon would do before he would abuse her, she remembered that was what her dad would do right before he would beat her as a child.

  “Well, he used to abuse me.” Just like you did. “He was doing it since we got married, but….”