Chapter 36 Katie Morrow
Katie Morrow
“I never thought Mark was good enough for my sister. Take away his money and he was just a self-centered asshole with a bunch of athletes on speed dial.”
Mark came through the garage door like he was late. The door banged against the wall with the force of his entrance, and Katie made it to the bottom of the stairs just in time to see his face when he spotted Willow.
She’d known Mark for four years, and yet this was a new look, one that seared a hot brand of betrayal in the middle of her heart. Mark halted in the hallway and grabbed the wall as if to brace himself. “Willow,” he whispered.
From behind Katie, Willow spoke. “Hi, love.”
Hi, love. It felt like Katie was eavesdropping on an extremely personal moment—and that wasn’t right because this was her husband.
If anything, Willow should be the one feeling her heart rip in two, because this was Katie’s house.
Katie’s marriage. Katie’s life. Willow had chosen to leave Mark.
She hadn’t wanted this relationship, hadn’t wanted him, and she couldn’t just waltz in five years later and say those two words with the level of emotion that kingdoms could be built on and lost over.
Katie looked from Mark to Willow and back again. They both stood there, and it was as if neither of them were even aware of her presence. The silence stretched on, and she was helpless to stop it, helpless to say anything to cut the cord between them.
Mark eased forward one step and then another, his hand dragging along the wall as he moved, like he needed its strength to hold him upright. “You’re here,” he said slowly, as if he didn’t believe it, as if he hadn’t called her and told her to come.
“Of course I am. You need me.” Willow smiled, and this was quite possibly the worst moment of Katie’s life—the moment when she saw the facade of her life crumble. Of course I am. You need me. She turned back to Mark, half expecting him to protest, half knowing that he wouldn’t.
And he didn’t. Instead, her husband dropped to his knees, reached out toward Willow, and started to cry.