Chapter 5 His signature hit the page. I reached for the packet. My mother-in-law lunged, clamped my wrist, and squeezed hard enough to grind the bones. "Avery, wait. Please? Reid lost his head for a second. You two have years together-how can you throw it away just like that?" Her tears hit the back of my hand, hot enough to sting. My father-in-law stood by with red eyes. His lips worked, and all he managed was, "Enough." Reid suddenly got to his feet. The jerk tore at the wound in his shoulder-he grunted, but still caught his parents' arms. "Dad. Mom. Don't." His voice dropped several registers, stripped of its usual warmth-cold, close to final. "Divorce is the right call." I blinked. The man who always sweet-talked me went clean and sharp as a blade. His parents were still sniffing when Reid handed me the signed papers. He didn't say more. He guided them toward the door, and right there they ran into Lena. She was in a hospital gown, pale as a sheet. Her belly had already deflated a little, and the timing didn't add Her eyes flashed when she spotted the divorce packet in my hand. She ducked her head fast and arranged guilt on her face. "Cap, I'm sorry. This is my fault..." Reid didn't look at her. "It's not about you," he said, flat, and walked his parents out. I turned to go. Lena stepped in and caught the corner of my coat. "Ms. Lane," she said softly, a tremor tucked in her voice. "You really don't regret this? The Cap loves you so much. You're really giving him up?" I looked down at her hand. Her nails were rounded and neat, tinged a strange pink, like she'd been crying and digging them into her skin. "Regret?" I smiled and shook her off. Chapter 5 50.00% "I only regret not seeing sooner that some people's 'love' was never meant for just one person." Lena went corpse-white; fresh tears spilled. "I never meant to ruin your marriage. I was just... so scared. The Cap is all I have." She shook so hard a passing nurse did a double take. I wasn't wasting another breath. I turned and walked away. After I left the hospital, my attorney and I pushed the rest of the paperwork through. I moved my things out of the Fosters' house. I thought that would be that. I'd start over. Two weeks later, in a grocery store aisle, I caught a familiar profile-Lena Shaw. She wore a tasteful dress. Color back in her face. She chatted with a middle-aged woman, a little pleased tilt to her mouth. I was about to steer away when I heard my name. (( ...Avery Lane is just too touchy. The Cap only checked on me a few times and she demanded a divorce. Now look-she's gone, and the Cap finally has some peace." Chapter 5 CO DOR