Quinlan simply observed me for a while, but Lucille also stood up in order to stare me in the eyes. "So this is who you truly are, Robert. It's nice to finally meet the real you. Pathetic excuses for your wimpy behavior for decades, then you guilt trip me and when that fails you want to threaten me into obedience by hanging enslavement over my head?
You're amazing at making romantic gestures, I must admit. When was the last time we even held hands or hugged, let alone did anything more sensual? Are you even my husband or business partner?"
It hurts all my being to listen to this and see her pained features as if I had betrayed her, but didn't she cheat on me? Why am I the bad guy? I feel like all this is very unjust. A strong thug stole my wife and is now forcing me to legalize his actions so that they can live merrily ever after.
"I know that our marriage had gone cold years ago, but that gives you no right to cheat to your heart's content! And as for the answer to your question, we are married and not business partners as far as the law is concerned, and you know that fact perfectly well."
My wife's beautiful face contorted into a hurt grimace. "Please just agree to this, Robert. We can continue being friends…"
"That's not going to happen!" I shouted furiously and stomped on the ground with my feet.
"Lucille. Go to your daughter's room and calm her down. She had been listening in on us for a long while and is bawling her eyes out currently." Quinlan suddenly spoke up in an authoritative tone, making my and Lucille's head snap to the direction Mavena's room was in, and saw that it was opened slightly.
"Oh…" Lucille voiced weekly. It was clear that she was very emotionally distraught. She listened obediently and went to Mavena's room, shutting it behind her sharply.
"Sit down, Robert. Let's talk man to man."
My energy levels had instantly dissipated once Lucille was gone. Now being alone in facing this hulking monster of a human who could snap me like a twig I no longer felt so good about myself.
"You won't change my mind…" I mutter weakly while sitting down. It's better if we both sit than if we were to both stand up. He would tower over me.
"First of all, I wish to address your accusation of Lucille cheating on you. Where's the proof? I only touched her shoulder, does that count as adultery? She is asking for a divorce so that she can be with me. Unless you can prove otherwise, I will not tolerate you speaking badly of her any longer." He decreed with eyes that promised me nothing positive. Before I could respond, however, he continued.
"I want you to think a bit about how you've made your once beloved wife feel. Maybe I'm right and you are accusing us falsely, maybe you're right and the two of us are cheating scum, or maybe Lucille is correct and you're just a glorified colleague of hers at this point, thus legally shouldn't be counted as her spouse.
None of that matters now, because after what went down here, your relationship will never recover. Or are you delusional enough to think otherwise? Mavena is likely blaming her right now for tearing this family apart. If you don't make up Lucille will become truly depressed and might leave with me forever."
I can't help but scoff. "Make up? What do you expect to happen? You just said that nothing can restore our marriage!"
"Make up as a divorced pair. Become friends who support your child's happiness. She has no love for you, but as grown adults you can go on to have a beneficial relationship for your daughter's sake.
Go and find another woman who makes you a happy man, and I will be taking care of Lucille myself." I grit my teeth from frustration, but I can't help but admit that It's also true; our marriage is as good as done. I've seen it in her eyes. She hates even the idea of being with me.
Quinlan gestured towards Mavena's room. "Go and have a talk with them. Before you go, let me tell you one thing, Robert. Divorce is not the end of your life, simply the start of a new chapter. I know that right now it feels like your world will end if you sign the papers, but I bet that you will be happier in a year from now than you've been for the past decade.
A lot of lowborn women would happily marry an innkeeper like you, and if you cause me no trouble I will become a great ally to have. How many simple, level 1 commoners can say that they are under the protection of a group like mine? Let's end this in a way that makes all involved parties satisfied, shall we?"
I dejectedly slumped into the sofa's comforting embrace. I said nothing for minutes as I mulled over everything in my head. Maybe he was right. I will not get a beautiful woman like Lucille but I should be able to meet someone nice, someone who actually appreciates me for who I am, without wanting me to be more than a weak civilian. Though, I would have to make sure she doesn't meet Quinlan.
I would rather not be compared to him.
"Do you really think we can remain on friendly terms?" I asked finally after some heavy internal debating.
"I would've said a definitive 'yes' if you asked me this an hour ago, but after this conversation between the three of us I'm no longer sure. She had no ill will towards you, simply didn't wish to be romantically involved." Quinlan replied honestly.
I'm devastated as hell, but I'm appreciative of his attitude at least. I expected him to continue threatening me, using the disparity in power to his advantage but he is being reasonable. Though, I don't know what he would do if I kept acting up.
Not wishing to find out, I nodded and stood from my seat without uttering another word, then went to hold this discussion with the two most important people in my life.