Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
I make a mental note to myself to let Asher know I’ll need off early that day, assuming he still wants me then. I fully expect there to come a day when he gets tired of this relationship, and all I can hope is that he’ll keep me on cleaning his apartment until I can find something to compensate.
My thoughts then turn back to Dr. Yonkowski, the oncologist who treated me after I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma three years ago. It was caught so early that I was one of those lucky, lucky people who fall into the ninety-percent survival rate. So far, I’ve been doing great. I have to see Dr. Yonkowski twice a year now and I tend to get sicker a little easier with colds and such, but mostly, I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Well, hitting the five-year mark will be a total high-five moment with myself. Maybe I’ll buy myself a cupcake on that day.
There would be no one else to celebrate it with me. Hope was only two when I was diagnosed, and she never knew or understood what happened. I drove myself to all my appointments, often with Hope in tow. Nelson couldn’t be bothered to attend with me because, as he’d said on so many occasions, “It’s just stage 1 cancer. It’s totally curable.”
That wasn’t exactly true but still, it was the best prognosis I could have hoped for. I downplayed everything with my mom and brothers, assuring them Nelson was being supportive. Otherwise, they would have stormed Vegas. Frankly, they just couldn’t afford to.
So, I was on my own and I went through it alone. I came out on the tail end knowing I could handle anything. Being diagnosed with cancer and fighting it alone with no support taught me more about myself than I could have ever hoped for. It gave me the courage to finally walk away from Nelson, knowing I had nothing to be scared of. I’d already conquered the ultimate fear.
I’m a better person today because of it.
CHAPTER 19
Asher
I can’t figure out the exact moment when I apparently decided Hannah was not just an employee to me, but I’m embracing it right this moment as I hunt her ex-husband down.
I need to have a come-to-Jesus meeting with him.
My week was shot to shit by getting sick. It took me a few days to get over it completely. After that first day when Hannah insisted I hydrate and sleep, I started feeling much better. I spent the rest of the week catching up on rescheduled meetings, reviewing reports and legal documents, and meeting with my attorneys on some potential bids we are considering making at a property auction.
By the time I was able to see Hannah last night at the club, between her illness and mine, as well as my business trip last week, it had been six days since I’d had her.
The sex was better than ever. I want her more today than I did last night. My interest in her isn’t waning at all.
All things that concern me because it’s in direct opposition to how I’ve decided to lead my life.
Without connections or responsibilities to another human. A plan to keep my distance and keep my heart safe.
Which makes it insane I’m here at a construction site that Nelson Madigan is supposed to be on, intending to fix some shit for Hannah.
Last night as I was taking her home, I’d asked her casually if she’d heard anything from her ex since the motion was filed. I’d asked my attorney about it. While he must observe the rules of confidentiality and can’t tell me details, he told me he hadn’t heard anything from Nelson’s attorney.
But Hannah wasn’t so lucky.
Apparently, she’s been hearing quite an earful this entire week from her ex, but it isn’t what I expected. I figured the guy would be pissed, maybe try to threaten and bully her into backing off. For that, I’d gladly whip his ass, but that’s not what he did at all.
Instead, he systematically flooded Hannah with calls and texts that were taunting and degrading. He laughed at her notion that she’d ever be able to stand opposed to him. He pointed out her lack of funds, education, and a solid work history. The douche mocked her, daring her to go forward. He said she’d be wasting all her money and he’d win once again. Hannah didn’t seem all that perturbed about his behavior, which told me he must have been quite the bully throughout their relationship. She was apparently used to it and blew it off.
I couldn’t let it go though.
I’d gotten home yesterday and shot a text to my attorney, knowing it would wake him up and not caring. My request was simple.
Tell me where Nelson Madigan will be tomorrow.