Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“I want to speak to William,” I say steadily.
“Fuck off,” Edward growls. “He doesn’t want to speak to you.”
“Fine. Then get out.”
Harold’s face falls. “Please, Spencer, tell us where she is. She’s in danger out there on her own.”
“I’ll tell William where she is.”
“Why would you want to speak to him?” Edward snaps. “Haven’t you done enough to him already?”
“I need to apologise.” I pause. “I had no idea she was married.”
“Bull-fucking-shit. She told us everything.”
I raise a brow. “And you believe anything that comes out of that lying bitch’s mouth, right? I knew her as Stephanie, and it gets worse. She’s actually contacted me a few times over the last few years and begged to see me again.”
Harold’s face falls.
“Every time she’s in London, she tries to see me. I’m telling you, she’s fucking other guys all the time.”
“I knew it.” Edward narrows his eyes. “I need proof.”
Harold frowns as his watches me. “Have you ever…?” “Fuck, no.” I wince. “I’m mortified that she put me in the position she did that night.” I drop my head in shame. “I’m not proud of it, I’m telling you.” I exhale heavily. “The look on William’s face will haunt me forever.”
Edward glares at me.
“I love Charlotte. I would never have pursued her had I known that she knew Stephanie.”
“Penelope.” Harold glares at me. “Christ, you don’t even know her fucking name.”
“That’s right, I don’t. Now she’s telling all these lies to protect herself at the expense of Charlotte’s heart.” I sigh sadly. “She makes me fucking sick. Charlotte doesn’t deserve to be hurt like this. I can’t stand that she is.”
“It’s your word against hers,” Edward says. “Give me proof. I need concrete evidence that she’s come to you. If I can prove that she’s still sleeping around, he can divorce her and get custody of Harrison.”
“I don’t have any. Maybe my phone records can show the times she’s contacted me?” I offer. “I don’t know.” I hold Edward’s stare. “Bring William to me and I’ll tell you where Charlotte is.”
“Why should we?” Harold snaps.
“Because you both need to realise the truth. I was a player. Hell, I’ve fucked around for years, I’m the first to admit it. But as soon as I met Charlotte I stopped immediately. I don’t want anybody else. I have no secrets and Charlotte knows everything about me. I haven’t lied to her once, and if I knew about Stephanie, I would have told her. Do you honestly think I would want her to go through this? For Christ’s sake, I don’t even speak to my own fucking father because he’s an adulterous prick.”
They both watch me as they listen.
“I’ve never even been in a relationship before Charlotte because of this exact reason. I couldn’t be a two-faced liar. It’s not who I am.”
Edward rolls his eyes.
“You know what fucking pisses me off the most about this?” I say.
“What?” Harold sighs.
“If you had just given me the time of day back when we met instead of treating me like dirty Stephanie or whatever her fucking name is, you would have seen the truth. You would have known how I feel about Charlotte.”
Harold raises his chin.
“I’ve done nothing wrong.” I hold my hands up in front of me. “I promise you, and you know I haven’t. You probably have people watching me, hoping to catch me out.”
Edward rolls his lips, and I know that I’m right.
“My poor Charlotte is on her own on the other side of the world with a broken heart, and you two haven’t supported her at all. You’re all so fucking poisoned by that bitch that you’ve taken her sins out on me instead. But it’s Charlotte who has taken the brunt of this.”
“What a mess.” Harold exhales heavily. “Please, Spencer, tell us where she is.”
“Not until you bring William to me.” I stare at them and I open my front door. “Now, please leave.”
“You’re kicking us out?” Edward gasps.
“Yeah, I’m kicking you out. You’ve kept Charlotte from me when I’ve wanted to try and explain. I’m sick of your power trip shit.”
Harold shakes his head as he walks towards the door. “William will be here soon.”
“Good.”
Edward’s eyes hold mine, and for the first time ever I see empathy in them. “She won’t be able to take you back after this. You have no idea how much she hates Penelope.”
I clench my jaw and nod. That’s my biggest fear. “I know.” I sigh sadly. “I understand why. I’m not sure I could if I were her.”
With one last look, they both turn and leave. A wave of new sadness overwhelms me. That interaction with them seemed so final, and it felt like they knew it, too… like I’ll never see them again.
Maybe I won’t.
* * *
It’s dusk when I hear a knock at my door. I close my eyes in regret. William.