‘Do you really think this is the right thing to do?’ Leonard asks, his voice serious as we hit the tennis ball back and forth on the court behind the Cayland mansion.
‘She’s better off without me,’ I respond, as I try to keep my focus on the game. ‘My family won’t leave her in peace. Her dad’s right to want her out of this. If I had a daughter in her shoes, I’d feel the same.’
‘But can you live without her, Duke?’ Leonard probes deeper as he serves the ball, effortlessly.
‘I’ll have to,’ I say.
‘You’ll have to what?’ he presses.
‘It won’t be easy,’ I admit.
Leonard stops playing, his expression filled with concern. ‘You knew where she was in Montecito. You gave her security, didn’t you? She thought she was hiding, but you were still there, watching over her. You told her you’d leave alone, but you couldn’t really let her go. How are you going to handle this after the annulment?’
Caught off guard by his directness, I falter in returning the serve. The ball bounces off the racket’s edge, veering away. ‘I’ll always love her,’ I admit, voice laced with resignation. ‘But perhaps loving her means setting her free.’
The truth is, I’ve been clinging to her in any way I can, unable to fully let go. The thought of truly stepping back, of annulling our marriage, feels like ripping out a part of myself. But I’m trapped in this paradox of wanting to protect her and knowing that my presence in her life brings nothing but chaos. Leonard’s question runs in my mind, and I don’t have an answer. The reality of living without Aisling is something I can’t even begin to comprehend.
‘If it means protecting her forever, I’ll do it. I’ll always love her. That’s the truth. But I have to let her go if she wants to,’ I say to Leonard, feeling the ache of my decision deep in my chest.
Leonard shakes his head, clearly not convinced. He stops, holding the ball in his hand, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by seriousness. ‘You think a divorce will change how you feel? The lengths you’ll go to protect her? Even if you separate, you won’t be able to stop watching over her. Divorce isn’t the answer, Duke. You’re never going to stand back and watch someone else be with her.’
I let out a laugh, more to cover up my inner turmoil than anything else. ‘But am I really helping her by bringing her back into this mess? No.’
‘I’m afraid you’re not going to help her by letting her go either. You won’t be able to stay away,’ Leonard counters, hitting the nail on the head.
My grip tightens on the racket’s handle. He’s not wrong. Even when I tried to distance myself, my world revolved around her. Every decision, every action, somehow linked back to her. But I have to think of what’s best for her, even if it shreds my heart.
‘I’ve made up my mind, Leonard,’ I say firmly, ‘and I need you to prepare your team. Anything she asks for during this process, ensure she gets it. No questions asked.’
‘It’s not going to work. I won’t waste my time on this,’ he says, his skepticism clear in his tone.
“Leonard, I’m serious.”
He studies me for a moment, then nods slowly, though his skepticism remains. ‘Alright, Duke. But remember, sometimes the things we do with the best intentions can lead to the most pain.’
We continue playing, but my mind is far from the game. It’s consumed by the looming heartache, the sorrow of letting go of the one person I love more than anything, and the daunting challenge of facing life without her. Leonard’s words ring in my ears, and deep down, I know he might be right. But I’m determined to set her free, even if it means enduring the greatest pain I’ve ever known.
