Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 136743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
“What was dangerous was you having unprotected sex with Amber and then fucking me.”
“If you’re going to make wild accusations, then I think you should leave.”
“You’re kicking me out?” I bark a laugh that is so close to sincere. “Of prison? Why? So you won’t have to face the fact that your side piece has something on the side too?”
“She’s not with him any—” He catches himself, but not before I grab another tiny piece of the puzzle confirming my suspicions. “If you insist on being loud and jeopardizing my case with a bunch of unfounded speculation, then yeah, you should leave. You need some time to cool off and think rationally.”
“Oh, I’m real rational. So rational I’ve been thinking about all those late nights you spent with Amber at the office. Maybe you weren’t just sleeping together. Maybe she’s a part of your scheme.”
A gate falls over Edward’s face, and his lips thin so much they almost disappear. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, but I do. Judah believes someone worked with you, that you’re not smart enough to pull this off by yourself. And now that I think about it,” I say, touching the tip of my finger to my chin, “he’s right.”
“You just couldn’t wait to run to him, could you?” Edward asks, his words dripping with contempt. “Now do you believe he was after me?”
“Yes, and for good reason. You’re a crook and a liar and a…” The sob catches me by surprise and I cover my mouth, refusing to give him that. “How could you, Edward? How could you do this to me?”
And I see it now. Beneath the charm, there’s ice in his eyes, and I strain to remember the last time he looked at me with warmth. With care. How long has he been looking right through me? Not seeing the woman I’ve become? Did he ever love me? Is he even capable of it?
“What’s the use of denying it now? You caught me.” He holds up both hands like he’s at gunpoint. “Guilty as charged. I found a younger woman, someone exciting and ambitious and smart. Maybe this is a blessing in disguise. You apparently aren’t interested in riches beyond your wildest dreams and would only hold me back. When I get out of here, I’ll divorce you and we can go our separate ways. You’ll only have to see me on weekends when I take the girls.”
I lunge at him, but stop short when I notice an officer with an alert expression watching us closely. I step closer to Edward, but not threateningly. I reach up and cup his neck, bringing his head down to my lips. He strains to pull away, but I won’t let him go, sinking my nails into his flesh.
“If you think I’ll let you have anything to do with my daughters,” I hiss in his ear, “you really are delusional. If you’re so tired of being the family man, don’t be.”
“Hey,” the officer says, frowning and motioning for us to separate. “Step back.”
I shove Edward away from me and curl my lips around the last promise I’ll make to this man. “I won’t shield them from who you really are, Edward. I won’t lie for you. I’ll tell them how you’ve stolen. That you’re a thief and a liar. That you cheated on their mother.”
I turn toward the visitors’ room exit, immune to the stares our raised voices drew.
“You can’t do this,” Edward hurls at my back. “You have no money. They’ll take the house. What do you have without me, Sol? You won’t survive.”
I look back over my shoulder and give him a smile that costs me everything but is worth the worry in his eyes.
“Watch me.”
CHAPTER TEN
SOLEDAD
I pull into the garage, and my phone lights up with a text message. Several, actually, on my thread with Hendrix and Yasmen.
Hendrix: Are you okay, Sol? What’s going on? I just dropped Lottie off at your house.
Me: I’m good. Thank you for taking her. Just got home myself. I owe you big time.
Yasmen: Are you gonna tell us what’s going on?
My fingers hover over the keypad. More than once, my best friends have dragged Edward. Warned me he was hiding something. And I knew it, didn’t I? On some level, I knew there were things he kept from me, but I never would have imagined him capable of this kind of criminal behavior or even cheating on me. Mumbling Amber’s name in his sleep a few times was one thing, but actually sleeping with her? Unprotected? Passing an STI on to me?
I grip the steering wheel as shame washes over me. As much as I love my friends, I can’t bring myself to admit how foolish I’ve been, not even to them. They would never say I told you so, but we all know they did, in one way or another. I didn’t want to believe my perfect life slept on a bed of lies. I’m too tired, too embarrassed to reveal the massive scope of his embezzlement, his infidelity, the clap.