#Chapter 44: The Truth
Abby

The door to my office clicks shut, its noise echoing in the room, serving as a final punctuation to Karl’s

exit.

I watch him go, and the residue of our past, thick with pain and longing, clings to me, making it hard to

breathe.

A sigh escapes me as I lean back into my chair, the cool leather pressing against my back, providing a

temporary relief.

The whiff of the past and our complicated relationship is still strong in the air. Passing a hand over my

face, I let the sensation of touch distract me momentarily. How I wish things could be different, simpler.

But my heart is still entangled with Adam’s, and the thought of ending it leaves me adrift in a sea of

uncertainty. I haven’t made my decision yet; I love Adam. He’s been my rock for a long time now. We

have plenty in common, and he’s sweet and caring…

But he just doesn’t seem to have the same passion for me as I would hope he would. He’s sweet, yes,

but I don’t feel like a priority in his life.

I want him to want me; I want him to get angry and jealous over Karl, I want him to have sex with me, I

want him to show up when he says he will because he can’t get enough of me. And yet here I am, a

ring on my finger, and he can hardly make time for me. It makes me feel worthless.

Then there’s Karl. Sweet Karl. He’s changed so much recently. He’s become kinder, more

understanding. He still has his rough edges, his undeniable Alpha attitude, but that’s what I like about

him.

But he divorced me. His words may be dripping with sweetness now, but nothing can erase that fact.

My phone vibrates on my desk, its sudden intrusion breaking through my thoughts. The screen displays

Leah’s name. Picking it up, I answer, “Hey.”

“Abby, Chloe told me about what happened. Not just with Adam, but… your burn. Are you okay?”

I glance down at my arm, the scarlet mark still raw and angry. “I’m fine now. Got the burn taken care

of,” I reply, attempting to sound more upbeat than I feel.

with concern, but there’s also an underlying tone that makes

hesitate.

do you explain something you don’t fully

other end, as though reading my thoughts. “Listen, Abby.

you and Adam, know that I’m behind you. But…” she pauses for a moment.

run

flash of irritation courses through me. Why does everyone

think

snap before I can stop myself, “everyone seems to believe I’ll just

to end things with Adam, I want

to jump

she responds, a hint of hurt

You know how we all

washes over me. I didn’t mean to snap. “I’m sorry, Leah,” I say, exhaustion from

just… it’s been a

returning to her voice. “I know, Abby.

about one of our weekly tea

those.”

and an avalanche of pastries?” Leah teases. “It’s a date. I’ll set it

“Thanks, Leah. It means

in my own thoughts once again.

to the bar for one last

shadows across the bar,

stillness, like

at the sleek mahogany counter, cradling a half-filled glass

providing a faint comfort.

music filters through the speakers, a melancholy tune that

been turned up on the tables, the floor recently mopped, and

in the air. The setting is pristine, almost picture-perfect, but it

missing

last night still haunt me. Adam’s biting

like a chasm has formed overnight, swallowing the joy and

relationship once held.

hardly notice the tap

I turn, and for a split second, everything

“Adam.”

look

sets me on edge. The

does little to alleviate the storm of emotions brewing

you doing here?” The surprise in my voice is unmistakable, the hurt even more

says, carefully taking

single spark

my wine to gather my thoughts. The cool liquid does little to

know if tonight’s the best

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