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  After talking about the past, Laura seemed to look at him differently. Or Chris so only it seemed? She seemed to have become closer, stepping one tiny step, climbing higher to him, to the one where access to everyone had long been closed. Where even Chris himself was afraid to look. She looked at him softer, more and more often a genuine interest slipped into the cat's gaze, which was quickly hiding behind the usual mask of indifference. AND conversations by the way before hospitals or houses become livelier. Laura asked about how he studied, told stories from her youth or from work, carefully avoiding talking about the last years. She seemed to be trying, behind all this overflowing gaiety, to forget that she would soon see Dominic again.

  Despite the lawyer's assurances that everything would go well, the trial was scary to the point of nervous colic. Twice she saw him not far from the hospital, but Dom was in no hurry to approach, just stood on the corner across the street from the hospital and looked exactly at her, as if he knew for sure that she was standing there. Laura noticed him, looking out the window, and her heart immediately began pounding in frustration, calming down only when she noticed Chris nearby. It seemed that this marriage, which had not been a marriage for the last three and a half months, was hanging like a heavy stone around the neck and pulling down, and the icy waves of fear and despair were drawing deeper and deeper, forcing them to sink to the very bottom. In recent days, it was Chris who became for her what still kept her on the surface. His invisible presence helped not only not to be afraid - to breathe. Breathe calmly, knowing that no one will harm her. She was afraid of that the court will not divorce them right away, that it will take more than one hearing to finally feel free. She was afraid that even after that she would not be able to completely free herself from him, that he would haunt her again and again. And the desire to feel protected forced her to reach out to the only person who could give this protection - to Chris.

  On the night before the trial, Laura barely slept, tossing and turning in bed, listening to the faint street noise and wondering when and where her marriage had turned in the wrong direction. Was Dominic from the very beginning that way, or was the cruelty in him manifested under the yoke of circumstances? She involuntarily compared him to Chris, remembering everything that she dug up on the Internet about his case. The articles were mostly negative, spiteful and full of bile, which, in general, was not surprising. But now Laura refused to take them on faith.

  I managed to fall asleep only at dawn, but two hours later the alarm went off, and by the time Chris arrived, Laura was trying to cram a third mug of coffee into herself. Pale, with feverishly sparkling eyes that seemed like huge frightened saucers, she looked at Chris, trying to smile.

  — You are worried, ”he stated, watching as she tried for the third time to find the phone, which was lying on the nightstand next to her bag. - Everything will be fine.

  — I would like to believe. - Laura still squeezed out a nervous smile and left the apartment, fiddling with the keys.

  Chris knew that now any words would be superfluous, but he desperately wanted to calm her down, make her believe that everything would be fine, and in the elevator he gently touched her shoulder, drawing attention. Laura shuddered sharply, looked up at him.

  — Everything will be really good. He can't hurt you anymore.

  Laura nodded, trying to swallow the lump that rapidly grew in her throat to the size of a tennis ball. Chris is right - we had to urgently pull ourselves together. People are getting divorced by the hundreds every day, and nothing, so why should something go wrong with her? Have

  a lawyer was already waiting for the courthouse. Shaking hands tightly and specifying who Chris was, he led them to the audience, on the way introducing Laura into the final details of the case.

  — The reason for the dissolution of the marriage is irreconcilable disagreements, usually the judge requires an explanation, so we will rely on the fact that after Dominic lost his main job, you almost stopped understanding his friend, he closed in on himself and began to reproach you for refusing to help with a job. Scandals, reproaches are classics of the genre.

  — Dominic's lawyer agree to this? Laura stopped in the middle of the corridor.

  — When I met him three days ago, yes, he agreed. I'm sure nothing has changed during this time. The judge is accommodating, usually when both parties agree, he divorces without delay.

  — Let's hope, ”Laura muttered.

  — Lorrie, you look great! - Dominic, accompanied by his lawyer, walked up to them and cast a demonstratively appraising look at her figure. - You always looked white.

  — Dominic. Laura nodded. “You dressed up too, I see.

  In a blue suit, a snow-white shirt, clean-shaven and trimmed, he really made an impression.

  — Wow, and took the bodyguard with her. - A mocking gaze slid over Chris. - Or is he no longer your bodyguard, eh?

  — It's time for us to go to the courtroom, ”interrupted the lawyer, insistently taking Laura's elbow before she opened her mouth. - Be quiet, he deliberately provokes. We still lacked a scandal.

  The doors flew open and Chris froze in the doorway, forcing himself to take a step. The hall was different, smaller, simpler, but inside at once memories were stirred up, surged, forcing him to grit his teeth. That it would be so hard to be in court again, even as an observer, he could not even think of. Heart beat hard, dull, and before my eyes again broke out old picture: sobbing mother, father, as repeating prayer: "We will get you out, Chris!" and Denise talking about the appeal. It seemed that it was only yesterday, I wanted to run away from here, run as soon as possible, but my legs seemed to be rooted to the floor, filled with lead.

  — Will you come in? - heard above the ear, and Chris blinked, chasing the vision from the past, and stepped aside. There was still a lack of air and had to take a few deep breaths before entering and taking a seat on one of the few benches.

  Chris listened to the first part of the trial: Laura's lawyer listed the reasons why she no longer wants to see Dominic as her husband, the judge's questions, Laura's quiet remarks - all this flew by in an instant.

  — Do you have any objections? - the judge looked at Dominic and his lawyer.

  — Actually, there is, Your Honor. - The lawyer got up and looked at the judge with regret in his eyes. - My client does not want to give a divorce, believing that the marriage can still be saved.

  Laura screamed loudly, the lawyer whispered something quickly, urging her to calm down. Chris stared intently at Dominic's satisfied face, trying to figure out what he was up to. Is it because of a parking incident? But enough time has passed, and three days ago he agreed ...

  — My client still loves his wife dearly and is even ready to forgive her

  numerous betrayals that he endured throughout the marriage.

  — Objection! Laura's lawyer jumped up. - These accusations are not confirmed by anything. Can you give me any proof that Mrs. Reeds cheated on her husband?

  —Why go far - her current lover is now sitting in this room! A few spectators turned to look at Chris, who was being pointed out triumphantly by Dominic's lawyer.

  — Mr. Labert is my bodyguard! - Unable to bear it, Laura got up. - Whom I hired to protect me from my husband, because of whose regular beatings I had to leave home!

  — Objection, Your Honor, ”the lawyer said, not trying to hide a satisfied smile. - Where is the evidence that my client raised his hand against his wife? At least one call, one report to the police? Where is the filmed beatings? Where is everything that gives the right to accuse Mr. Reeds of domestic violence?

  — Where is the confirmed fact of treason, which gives the right to accuse Mrs. Reeds of treason? We will provide the employment agreement with Mr. Labert as soon as possible, Your Honor.

  The judge, all this time silently watching the action played out before his eyes, took off his glasses, wiped them and slowly put them back on his nose. Then he looked closely at Laura, who was desperately biting her lips, turned his ga
ze to Dominic, who was looking at her with a face of complete resignation. He sighed and clarified:

  — Mrs. Reeds, are you insisting on divorce?

  — Yes, Your Honor, ”Laura said firmly.

  — Mr. Reeds, I understand that you are opposed to divorce.

  — Yes, Your Honor, ”Dominic nodded. - I love my wife and I ask her to give me one more chance.

  — Well. The knock of the hammer echoed deathly in Laura's ears. - I give you the term for reconciliation - a month. We will meet again in a month to decide whether to renew this deadline, or whether you both have finally come to a decision to end the marriage.

  As soon as the door closed behind the judge, everyone jumped up from their place: Laura rushed to Dominic, Chris - to her, stopping a few steps.

  —You have no right to do this to me! She shouted. - What are you up to?

  — Get your wife back, of course. - Dominic folded his arms over his chest and mockingly looked down at her. “Mrs. Reeds, let's not make a scandal. - The lawyer tried to keep her from lashing out at her husband and hitting him. - I propose to meet tomorrow, in a calmer atmosphere, and discuss the conditions. - It was addressed to Dominic's lawyer. The latter nodded discreetly and quickly whispered something to his client. Dominic was about to leave, but at the last moment he turned to Laura, bent down to her ear and whispered:

  — I said I wouldn't just leave, Lorrie.

  — Go to hell, Dom, ”she spat and, pushing him with her shoulder, went to the exit. Chris and the lawyer, without a word, hurried after her.

  — They must have some conditions, ”the lawyer spoke up, as soon as they left the courthouse and stopped at the beginning of the wide staircase. “I’ll find out what he’s up to, but I ask you, tell me, can he have any proof of your connection with Mr. Labert?

  — No, Laura said firmly. - He wants money. I'll give them to him. Within reason, of course. Let him take the house if he wants. I still won't live there. But after that, let him not dare to come nearer than two hundred yards to me!

  She quickly began to descend, and Chris, having come to his senses, hurried after, overtaking and opening the car door. As soon as he sat down, Laura cursed loudly and with feeling, not taking her eyes off the courthouse. Then she exhaled and turned to Chris. “In life, it rarely happens the way we want it to, does it?

  Chris said nothing. Saying again that everything will be okay? More ridiculous consolation is hard to come up with.

  — Where to now?

  — I do not know. She shrugged. - I would like to get away from here, but this is hardly possible.

  Laura turned away again, biting her lip. After the strongest nervous tension, which did not let go of all the last days, devastation and complete indifference came. I wanted to lie down and lie, looking at the ceiling, not thinking about anything, but is it possible? Left alone at home, she will begin to sort out in the smallest detail the court and every word, every look of the one whom she once loved so much. Did this man also love her once? Chris silently watched her, more and more coming to the conclusion that it was impossible to leave her alone today. But for some reason a certainty was ripening in his soul that Laura would not ask him to stay any longer, and this time he himself had to offer his help.

  — Friends called for a barbecue today. Do you want me to take it with me? He asked casually.

  — Me? Laura's eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure it would be appropriate?"

  — I'm sure. - Chris smiled, and Laura suddenly thought that only he can smile like this - not only with lips, eyes, as if a smile comes from the very depths of his soul. Lips

  spontaneously stretched out in return smile.

  — Then let's go home first, I need to change. She looked at her snow-white suit and pumps. The decision to agree came immediately and was surprisingly easy. What to expect, why not take the risk and allow yourself to forget for a short time about what is happening in her life.

  — Do you really mind? - asked Chris, suddenly feeling anxiety stir in his chest. What if she agreed out of courtesy and really wants to spend the rest of the day alone?

  — Have you already changed your mind? - Lauratilted her head to one side, smiling thinly.

  — No, - he finally started the engine. No, he didn’t change his mind, but all the way to her house he couldn’t stop replaying in his head the conversation that he would have with Denise while Laura went to change. Chris heard her mocking voice so clearly that he could hardly restrain himself from beginning to answer her out loud.

  — Will there be a lot of people? Laura asked after a couple of intersections.

  — No, just us, Denise and Mark and their children. - Chris could hardly restrain himself from grimacing - and pulled the devil's tongue! Now an innocent invitation to help Laura forget about her problems for a while looked like he wanted to show her to his friends.

  — Is this the Denise you talked about? Something vaguely resembling jealousy stirred in Laura's chest. Chris always spoke of Denise with such warmth that it was hard to believe that there was really nothing between them.

  — This is the only friend I have left after I was imprisoned, ”Chris nodded. He spoke about her literally three days ago, but had already forgotten about it.

  — I'd be glad to meet her, ”Laura smiled nervously. This Denise surely knows about what happened between them, and will evaluate, there is no way to do without it. And if initially Laura accepted Chris's offer with gratitude, now she was suddenly overcome with excitement - what would his best friend think of her? And what opinion did she even have time to form about her?

  The rest of the way, both made in thought: Laura was thinking about what to wear and how to behave, Chris - how to tell Denise that there will be more than one. And only when he was in her apartment and went out onto the balcony, he gathered his courage and wrote:

  I'll bring Laura with me. Do you mind?

  Denise took a long time to type, but the message came out short: Don't mind. But I'm waiting for details.

  The divorce was canceled, did not want to leave her alone.

  This time Denise typed even longer, and Chris prepared to read the long text, but received only:

  OK. We're going to five.

  Chris chuckled: by the time they arrive, she will have had time to compose and refute many guesses, although the only reason has already been voiced: he really did not want to leave her alone. But I was not ready to spend the whole day alone, it is much easier when there are other people nearby and different topics of conversation, except for a failed marriage.

  Laura was not long in coming, leaving the bedroom fifteen minutes later in jeans and a light green silk blouse. The perfectly smooth hairstyle was replaced by a simple tail, pearl drops in the ears - thin gold rings, and the wrist of the left hand instead

  watch was adorned with several different-suited bracelets.

  —Do you want to change? She asked, looking eloquently at his crisp white shirt, which he wore for the first time since Laura forced him to adhere to his own dress code.

  — This is exactly what I am going to do. - Chris suddenly caught himself thinking that he would like to come closer and pull the elastic from her hair, forcing them to crumble over her shoulders. - Go?

  — It seems that only today in court I argued that there is nothing between us, ”Laura snorted, closing the door. - And after an hour you are already calling me to your home.

  — I hope Dominic doesn't think of following you, ”Chris said worriedly. - I would not like to cause the hearing to be postponed again.

  —Let it, - Laura waved her hand carelessly, feeling with surprise that it really doesn't bother her at all now. “But I don’t think he’ll go for it. Most likely, now celebrating the reprieve and calculating how much he can get off me.

  — Will hope.

  The feeling that they were running away on a secret date sounded unexpectedly pleasant.

  — Do you live far away? - asked Laura when they joined the general stream of cars.
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  — Five blocks above you, '' Chris grinned as he watched theher face.

  — Not a bad choice. And not cheap.

  — I get paid well, I can afford it. But seriously, old habits are not easy to eradicate.

  — Understand. Laura nodded thoughtfully. - When I returned to Seattle, I also lived in my home for some time. Until she got married.

  She paused, staring out the window. For a short moment, despair returned, what she felt in court, learning that today she would not be free. But Laura with an effort pushed those thoughts away.

  — Will you let me get up and see how you live?

  — Don't leave you in the car. - Chris famously turned into an alley, approaching the underground parking. - We need to call a taxi, - explained in response to a puzzled look. “I think, as my employer, would you let me have a glass of wine at work?”

  — Letting you relax and be an ordinary person? Laura's eyes widened in mock horror.

  — My workday ends when you go home. But since you will be with me today, it may drag on.

  — Will there be tequila? Laura grinned pointedly.

  — Only wine, ”Chris replied to her tone, but she had time to see his eyes sparkle. Or was it just her imagination? ..

  His apartment hardly differed from hers: the same layout, even the color of the walls was similar. Only the picture on the wall above the sofa reminded him that the owner was used to a completely different life. And on the opposite wall were photographs in strict frames of dark wood. As soon as Chris disappeared into the bedroom, Laura immediately approached them, with a sinking heart, looking at a young smiling man in uniform on the steps of the White House. So that was what he was, Officer Laberte, war hero and winner of the highest US military award. Laura tried to imagine how he was then - happy, proud? Or vice versa,