Chapter 13 - THE DIVORCE PAPERS THAT SAT UNSIGNED
Gavin filed for divorce while Monica served sentence.
Not out of revenge.
Out of clarity.
Their lawyers drafted equitable settlement:
Monica kept her premarital investment account after debt adjustments.
Gavin kept family company interests.
House belonged to Beatrice.
Parenting plan phased after release.
No claim on Beatrice inheritance.
Joint legal custody eventually if therapists approved, Gavin primary temporarily.
Monica received papers.
She did not sign.
Neither did Gavin push.
Dr. Feld asked why.
Gavin:
“I don’t know.”
“Love?”
“Yes.”
“Guilt?”
“Probably.”
“Fear Tyler needs us married?”
“Less now.”
“Sex?”
He laughed.
“We haven’t.”
“Doesn’t mean desire absent.”
No.
It was not.
When Monica appeared at court in simple clothes, Gavin still saw woman he married.
Her body.
Smile.
Hands.
History.
Attraction surviving betrayal made him angry at himself.
Therapist:
“Bodies have memory.”
He hated accurate phrases.
Monica after release moved into supervised transitional apartment? Not necessary. She moved to condo her brother rented, had ankle monitor briefly maybe. She began work at small marketing firm because prior career damaged.
She and Gavin met for coffee.
No lawyers.
Allowed.
She said:
“I signed.”
He looked at envelope.
Divorce settlement signed.
His chest tightened.
“You sure?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because staying married while asking you to rescue me is another form of control.”
He stared.
That sounded like therapy.
She smiled faintly.
“Expensive prison counselor.”
He laughed unexpectedly.
Then cried.
Monica cried too.
They held hands across table.
No kiss.
Sometimes ending marriage is loving act.
But finalization required waiting period.
During those months, they continued co-parenting therapy.
And desire resurfaced.
One evening after Tyler’s school concert, Monica came back to Gavin’s apartment to drop coat.
They stood too close.
She said:
“You look good.”
He answered:
“Don’t.”
“Sorry.”
He looked at her.
Then kissed her.
Both froze.
Then kissed again.
Old marriage rushed back.
He stopped.
“This is terrible idea.”
“Yes.”
They laughed painfully.
Nothing further.
Next day they told therapist.
Dr. Feld:
“A kiss does not invalidate divorce.”
“Nor does divorce invalidate attachment.”
Again.
May you like
They proceeded.
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