Chapter 91
Her eyes widened in mock–offense, but I knew her too well to buy it. She was capable of something like this–I’d always known that. “Admit it,” I snarled, glaring at her. “You knew I was wasted, and you used it against me.”
Eliza’s face hardened, and she shot to her feet, clutching the sheet around her. “Are you serious right now?” she snapped. “You’re the one who called me Raina, Alex! You-“Her voice cracked slightly, and she pointed an accusing finger at me. “You knew how I felt about you. You’ve always known. And still, you came to me last night. Don’t you dare act like the victim!”
The accusation landed like a punch to the gat, but I refused to let it sink in. “This was a mistake,” I said firmly, grabbing my shorts from the floor and pulling them on. “Amistake that never should’ve happened if it even did.”
Eliza’s eyes widened, and for a moment, hurt flashed across her face Then she steeled herself, her tone turning venomous. “Oh, it happened. And maybe you should’ve thought about Raina before you dragged me into this.”
Raina
Her name sliced through me like a blade. My stomach churned at the thought of what she would say if she ever found out. Divorce or not, this would destroy any chance 1 had of winning her back.
“Eliza,” I said, my voice low and dangerous, “you need to promise me you won’t tell anyone about this. No one.”
She scoffed, crossing her amus over her chest. “Why should I? You don’t care about me, so why should I do you any favors?”
“Eliza “My tone was sharper this time, and I stalked toward her, closing the distance between us. “Promise me.”
She flinched slightly but held her ground. After a tense moment, she sighed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. I won’t say anything. But don’t think for a second that I’ll forget this, Alex. You used me, and that’s not something I’ll let go of easily.”
H
I nodded curtly, not trusting myself to respond. Grabbing a shirt from the chair in the corner, I pulled it on and left the room without another word.
Downstates in the hotel’s food lounge, I found my mother and Vanessa sitting at a small table, sipping their morning coffee. The smell of breakfast filled the air, but I couldn’t stomach the thought of eating
Vanessa looked up as I approached, a sly smile spreading across her face. “Rough night?” she asked, her tone dripping with amusement.
I ignored her, pouring myself a cup of coffee and downing half of it in one go. The bittemess matched the turmoil in my chest.
“I’m heading back to New York,” Tannounced, setting the cup down with a clatter
My mother frowned. “Already? Why the rush?”
“Because I can’t stay here,” I said through gritted teeth. “Are you corning with me or not?”
Vanessa smirked. “I think I’ll stay a little longer. Eliza and I have plans to go shopping
Her words sent a fresh wave of naused through me, but I didn’t respond. Instead, I grabbed my things and left, leaving the two of them behind.
The drive back to New York was a blur. My head throbbed with a dull ache, and my thoughts were a chaotic mess. I couldn’t shake the memory of Eliza’s sig smile or the weight of her accusation.
By the time I arrived, I was too restless to go home. Work seemed like the only viable distraction, so I headed straight to my office.
The hours passed slowly, the monotony of paperwork doing little to quiet my mind. But as the sun dipped below the horizon, I couldn’t ignore the growing sense of unease gnawing at me.
What if Eliza bold someone? What if Raina found our?
The thought was unbearable.
I grabbed my coat and left, needing a change of scenery. As I drove almlessly through the city, a familiar car caught my eye,
Nathan’s.
I pulled over, watching as he parked outside a small restaurant. My heart skipped a bear as a woman stepped out of the passenger seat. For a moment, I thought it was Raina. But then I saw her face–different, unfamiliar.
Nathan followed close behind, his hand resting comfortably on her waist as they entered the restaurant.
Questions flooded my mind. Who was she? Did Raina know about this?
Curiosity got the better of me, and I waited. An hour later, they emerged, and I snapped a few photos from my car. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
As I drove home that night, a plan began to take shape in my mind. If Nathan was hiding something, I would find it. And when I did, Raina would have no
1/2
choice but to see him for what he truly was
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
