Author's Note: Second chapter because I don't want to leave it with just that short little chapter to begin with. After this chapter I'll be explaining how they even got to this point. I really do apologize if it seems really OOC.

Disclaimer: Not mine…so not mine. Sad day.

She didn't know where they'd gone wrong. She couldn't say they'd been perfect to begin with, but a few years ago, she would have laughed if anyone told her she'd find herself in this position. No, they were supposed to last. He was supposed to be her one and done, and she had never taken that lightly. She remembered the wedding, the congratulations, the happiness, and how much she loved him. She liked to think on some level she still did love him, but she wasn't in love with him. Not anymore. Not since before the fighting had grown petty and cruel.

They'd been married three years. They had dated for two, but if she was honest with herself, dating had only been the next logical step after so long working together. All total, she'd given him over eight years of her life, but it ended here, today. She wanted to cry—wanted to look him in the eye, tell him all was forgiven, and beg for absolution herself—but she knew that could not happen. He had stopped caring a long time ago, just as she had, leaving only bitterness between them.

Their lawyers argued, but both of them remained silent. He stared at an imperfection in the table between them, pale and looking exhausted. The only time she'd seen him look so defeated had been the weeks following his mother's death. She remembered he'd been a wreck and how she had been there to comfort him every night as he went through the grieving process. She also couldn't forget that he had been her anchor then, too. Holding onto him had kept her sane many times in the past, and not just after Martha's passing. She wanted to take his hand like she had back then and tell him everything would be all right, but she knew her words would seem insincere, considering the circumstances.

Instead, she remained pensive, wishing there was some way to fix this, but her mind could not think of a way to mend what had been shattered. She wished she could lay the blame solely on him, but she knew better. They'd both had a hand in destroying their marriage by becoming distant and arguing over things that really didn't matter. Well, except one thing she couldn't forgive no matter how hard she tried: infidelity.

He seemed to feel her eyes on him and looked up. Their eyes met and locked, despite her best efforts not to allow it. She saw everything. The sorrow, the pain, the exhaustion, and the absolute misery were right there for her to see. He hated being here just as much as she did. He hated that it had come to this, too.

Seeing that look in his eyes—the defeated posture he held—made her wish she hadn't listened to her attorney. If he hadn't convinced her it was worth it to pursue the infidelity clause in the prenuptial agreement, she could have just walked away, perfectly happy (or at least comparatively so) with a settlement totaling far more than she would ever need. She'd really only agreed to it because a part of her had wanted revenge. A part of her had wanted him to suffer for what he had done, but now, she only wanted to get out of here.

"Mr. Castle will continue to assert that he did not have an affair with Ms. Lamont, and unless you can bring forth solid evidence that he did, you're claim is invalid!" Rick's lawyer stressed for what seemed like the hundredth time. She'd heard it before, from both Rick's mouth and his lawyer's. That didn't make her any more likely to believe it.

"Patty Lamont sent Mrs. Castle love letters that she had received from Mr. Castle. Ms. Lamont also affirms that she did, in fact, have casual encounters with Mr. Castle on numerous occasions, usually at her apartment so they 'wouldn't get caught by his wife.' In addition, several of her neighbors confirm that Mr. Castle has been seen at her residence several times over the last year. Honestly, how much solid can you get?" Kate's eyes had flicked down to the hands she had clasped in her lap as her own lawyer shot back the facts from their investigation. She studiously avoided Rick's gaze.

"Circumstantial at best, counselor. Those love letters were typed, and the signature was a perfect match to that found in a copy of one of Mr. Castle's books in Ms. Lamont's library. Allegations of his presence at Ms. Lamont's apartment are unfounded, as many of the testimonies speak of times when Mr. Castle could not have possibly been in that area. Unless you can present a photograph or equivalent, I think this conversation is over. Mrs. Castle will have to settle with the terms set forth in the prenuptial agreement…"

This, of course, started a whole new argument between the two lawyers, and Kate made a point of tuning it out. They were going in circles, and it was getting them nowhere. It felt like a homicide investigation when they were out of leads. After what seemed like an eternity, it finally ended when Rick put a hand on his lawyer's arm, nodded, and something silent passed between them.

"My client is prepared to make a final offer. One-third of his estate, to include his house in the Hamptons and a share of his other investments outlined here." They were passed a lengthy document. "Take a few days to think it over. I'll be in touch." Without another word, he rose and left the room, Rick close behind.

Eep...I'm scared about how you guys will react to this...please review and let me know...even if you hated it!