Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Fay.”
“I honestly don’t know what about you changed that. I have a weakness for you. I let myself fall for you.”
“Fay. . .”
He reaches for me, but I back away. “And the most pathetic thing? I believed you when you said it back.” Another strangled hiccup takes my breath. “I was okay being your little secret. I hated it, but I was okay if that was the only way I got you. But somewhere during this fucked up situation, I fell in love with you. I thought. . . I actually thought you felt the same.”
My anger spikes. “There was always this pit in my stomach, though. I tried to ignore it. I fooled myself into pretending I didn’t have this feeling telling me this was too good to be true. I was just waiting for the other shoe to drop. And even then I knew. I knew this was too good to be true. But you told me to trust you.”
“And I’m still asking you to—”
I throw my hands out and shove him. “Fuck. You! I never should have trusted you. That was my first mistake. I never should have let my guard down with you.” I can barely see through my tears. I go to shove him again, but he grabs my wrists.
“I never promised you more than what I was able to give.”
I pull out of his grip. “You’re right. You didn’t. And shame on me for hoping. To be naïve enough to think you actually meant the things you said. That you loved me back.”
“Jesus, I do love—”
“Stop! Just stop with the lies, the hiding. Stop making me look like a fool.”
My chest heaves. I cover my face, shaking my head and inhaling a sharp breath. “All those private meetings. . . God, it was right under my nose.”
“Those meetings—”
“Are none of my business. You were certainly clear about that. Now I know why.”
“What are you talking about?”
I wipe under my nose. “Your father came to see me.”
“What?”
“To tell me what you wouldn’t.”
He stares back at me, his silence confirming the truth. “So, it’s true?” He doesn’t even have the decency to admit it. “Is it true?”
“Yes, but it’s not what you—”
“Oh god.” My knees buckle. I reach for the back of my couch and clutch my stomach. He tries to help me, but I slap his hand away. “Stay away from me!”
“Fay, you need to hear me out.”
“Fuck you. Nothing you say will fix what you’ve done. God, I was willing to give up so much of myself. But I won’t be just your conquest while you get married!”
“He didn’t tell you everything—”
“He told me enough.”
“Yeah? And what’s that? My father is a manipulative bastard. He told you what he knew would get you to walk away.”
My laugh is cynical and harsh. “He told me the truth—something you wouldn’t.”
“Then you are the naïve girl you claim to be—”
I throw my fists into his chest. “God! How dare you? I’m done with your bullshit. You told me once that you don’t deserve me. And you’re right. Because I deserve better than you!”
I back away, unable to catch my breath. “I hate you.” My lip quivers. “And I hate myself for ever letting myself love you.” I can’t look at him anymore. “Get out.”
“No.”
“Get out! God, you’re so full of yourself. You can’t even see when you’re not wanted. I never want to see you again.”
His jaw tightens, and his eyes blaze with fury. Fear. But I don’t care. If he doesn’t leave soon, I’m going to break completely.
“You’re not the one who makes the rules. I say when we’re done.”
I stare back at him in shock. “You just can’t fathom not being in control, can you? You may think you can have whatever you want, but newsflash, you don’t own me.”
“I do when you work for me.”
I laugh. “Then consider this my resignation.”
He steps toward me and stops, his hands balled into fists at his sides. “I’ll let you quit, but you need to give me two weeks.”
“Are you insane?” I’m about to crack into a million pieces of devastation. “Get out.”
“You’ll work your two weeks, or I’ll have you blacklisted. Everywhere. Not a single company will consider hiring you.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I would. And you surely know I have the power to do so.”
My lips quiver. “I hate you.”
“You should.”
I feel like you could hear my heart shatter. I shake my head and lower my chin. “Just leave.” I refuse to let him see any more of the pain he’s caused.
He doesn’t immediately move. Finally, I hear his footsteps pass me and the door open. “I expect you at work tomorrow.” I can’t even reply. Tell him all the things I want to say. The second the door shuts, I turn and rip the necklace from my neck, throwing it against the door.