Chapter 42
Forty-Two
Ellie
“You’re insane,” I tell him, gathering my bag to head back to the hotel.
“Am I, Ellie? Really?” He sits on the edge of the fountain for a long moment, his hands clasped in his lap. He looks contrite
for the first time in years—maybe ever. “The fact is, I don’t have any proof to show you, but surely you’ve realized you don’t
have any proof to discredit me either.”
I clamp my lips closed because he’s right.
“Your father outmaneuvered your mother once he realized what her game was. He convinced the world she was insane to protect
himself and you.” His gaze penetrates mine. I feel like I’m in the spotlight, like he’s asking more of me than I have to give.
“So what am I supposed to think about finding Aubrey nearly naked and wrapped around you in our apartment?”
“I know it looks bad, but it wasn’t. Listen, I swear to you nothing happened between us. She stopped over to drop off mail
that was delivered to the wrong address and I spilled all over her so I offered a change of clothes.”
“Right,” I utter, not believing a word.
“Do you believe me?” he finally asks.
I weigh my options, Aubrey’s comment long ago about keeping my friends close and my enemies closer ringing through my mind.
I swallow my pride and allow the lie to leave my lips. “Yes, I believe you.”
Now is the time to end this for good, I think. A new chapter is waiting—I can’t stay stuck in neutral forever and I can’t
let my husband know I suspect him of far bigger crimes than this one.
“Good.” Jack sighs with relief. He stands, holding his arms out for a hug. “Thank you for giving me a minute to explain.”
I nod, then stand and allow him to wrap me in his once-comforting embrace. He plants a kiss on the crown of my head and whispers,
“Please, come home.”
I remain silent, unwilling to give him anything else.
“Please, El—” his palms press harder into my back. Maybe it’s in an effort to comfort me, but I can’t help but feel suffocated
and controlled. “I forgave you for your indiscretion last year—let’s just put all of this behind us and move on. Together.”
I nod against his chest, tears forming painfully in my throat. “Okay. I think I’d like to try again—to rebuild.”
Relief floods Jack’s tense muscles, and he loosens his grip on me, placing one last kiss on my forehead before pulling away.
“Thank God. Fuck, I haven’t slept in a week thinking I’d lost you for good.”
I don’t respond. Let him think what he wants, but the truth remains that he has lost me. I’m just not ready for him to know
that yet. I still have work to do here.