Lost Me Gained Regret

Chapter 4

“Fine.” I pursed my lips, ultimately deciding to leave a shred of dignity for him before Margaret. Or perhaps it was for my own sake.

For the moment, I couldn’t quite pin down Margaret’s purpose for her visit. Was she genuinely feeling she shouldn’t accept the necklace? Or was she there to declare. something?-

A flicker of emotion passed across Margaret’s face too swiftly to be caught. She smiled. “I was worried this necklace might cause some misunderstanding between you two. Seems like it hasn’t, so I’ll be heading back now.”

Emma escorted her out.

As soon as the front door closed, I stepped away from Bryant’s embrace, “You said it was for Steven, right? And Margaret’s married, isn’t she? Since when did she become one of Steven’s flings? Hmm…”

Bryant silenced me with a kiss, fierce and urgent, almost as if venting some frustration.

Only when I found it hard to breathe did he slightly loosen his hold, caressing my head as he admitted his fault. “I lied to you.”

#

He pulled me close. “Margaret’s divorced. I was worried about her, so I gave her the gift.”

I was startled. Then I got what Bryant meant by “Congrats on your fresh start” in the video.

I bit my lip, half-doubting, “Is that all?”

firm and soothing as he explained, “You know Margaret’s mother

mother died during childbirth, and when he was five, his father

went so far as to risk

that

help but gently remind him, “Bryant, I believe you

ended up in

suspicions hadn’t completely vanished.

1/2

10:34

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

moment. It was as if I needed to double-check to ensure what I read in the

parachuted to become the head of

know her?” Christine noticed my offbeat reaction, waved a hand before my face, and voiced her

“Yeah, Margaret is Bryant’s half-sister, the

and I, having been thick as thieves since college, had made a pact to stay in RiverCity, come hell or high water.

clicked her tongue. “Damn, talk about

nodding along to

never even heard of her in the design circles. And Bryant, just like