UNFAITHFUL

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sara

"Where are we going?" I asked Archie after we had been on the road for a while. He was driving leisurely along the highway, his hands relaxed on the wheel.

I leaned toward the window, watching the scenery blur past. "Are we going out of town?"

"Yes," he said with a nod.

My head snapped toward him. "To where?"

"There's this little coffee shop my friends, John and Jeremy, own in the next town over. It's small, but the view is incredible. I think you'll like it."

I glanced down at my outfit, then back at him. "But I'm wearing this!" I gestured at my shirt, frowning. "And I didn't even put on makeup! I haven't washed my face or brushed my teeth!"

Archie chuckled. "If we pass a convenience store, we'll stop and grab some face wash and a toothbrush."

I leaned back against the seat, mumbling, "You could've at least warned me."

He nodded solemnly. "I should have, but then you would've said no."

I shot him a look. "What's so great about this place?"

"The view," he said simply. "And the food."

I frowned. "But do we really need to drive this far just for that?"

He glanced at me, a gentle look in his eyes. "It also gives us time to talk."

Archie sighed when he saw me hesitate. "You need to talk about this, Sara. Just let it out. You have Emma, me, and even my parents—we all care about you. You just have to trust us more."

He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "I know I was Cole's friend, and maybe that makes it hard for you to trust me completely. But I need you to believe that I'm here for you."

I looked away from him, my gaze fixed on the endless stretch of green fields rolling past my window. The blur of grass and trees felt safer than meeting his eyes. I chewed on my nails, a nervous habit I hadn't been able to shake.

I had never been a person who confided in others. Keeping things to myself had always felt easier, safer. Words had a way of making emotions too vulnerable, too raw. And once spoken, there was no taking them back.

When I didn't respond, Archie tried again. "How about this. I ask you a question, and you answer?"

I glanced at him, curious but still hesitant. "Okay," I said reluctantly.

He gave me a reassuring look. "Only if you want to. You don't have to answer if you're not ready."

"Okay," I murmured again, unsure of where this was leading.

"Good." He smiled at me. "First question."

I held my breath.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Such a simple question, yet it felt impossibly heavy. How was I supposed to answer that? Fine? That would be a lie. Terrible? That felt too vulnerable. Somewhere in between? Even I wasn't sure where I stood.

"Be honest with me," he said gently.

My fingers tightened in my lap. Words hovered on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't seem to push them out.

"Devastated," I finally admitted, choosing to be honest with him. "Angry. Betrayed."

I paused, drawing in a shaky breath. "Helpless."

Archie glanced at me briefly before focusing back on the road. He said nothing, but I could tell he was still listening, waiting for me to say more.

"I feel like I've lost everything," I continued, surprised by how easily the words were coming. "I feel like I wasted years of my life on something that was never worth it. Like I was blind, stupid, for not seeing the signs. How did I not suspect anything? How did I not realize what he was doing behind my back?"

The more I spoke, the more the emotions surged forward, raw and unfiltered. I had tried so hard to bury them, convinced that ignoring them would make them go away. But now, they refused to stay hidden.

"But the worst part was..." I trailed off, my throat tightening. God, this was the hardest part.

I took a shaky breath, forcing the words out. "Was the feeling that I wasn't enough. As a woman. As a wife."

I turned back to the window, only then realizing that I was already crying. Blinking against the tears, I chewed on my thumbnail, my throat too tight to say anything more.

A heavy silence stretched between us.

"Next question," I whispered when I finally found my voice.

Archie hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Okay," he murmured. "Do you think you're ever going to be okay?" he asked, his voice quiet, careful.

It took me a few seconds to think, but when I finally spoke, my voice was firm.

"I have to. I can't let him ruin me."

Saying it out loud felt like drawing a line in the sand, a promise to myself. I didn't know how or when, but I had to find a way to be okay because he had already taken too much from me.

"Good."

I didn't see his smile, but I felt it. I felt the warmth in his silence. I knew, somehow, that he was pleased with my answer. That he was proud of me.

I couldn't explain how I knew. I just did.

"Will you be willing to reach out to your friends when you need them?" He paused, glancing at me before adding, "To me?"

I caught his gaze and gave him a small smile. I nodded.

"Okay," he said, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Then my next question is—what do you need from me?"

I paused, letting the thought settle. Archie had been there for me through it all, solid and unshaken. His presence grounded me, steadying the storm raging inside me.

I recognized that. I didn't take it for granted.

"Just be there for me." I offered him a small smile. "What you're doing now is more than enough."

Archie nodded, his expression softening. "Never doubt that, Peaches. I'll always be there for you."

My gaze lingered on him, something inside me shifting. I still couldn't understand why he was being so kind to me.

"Thank you," I said, genuinely feeling grateful for him. "For everything."

He didn't reply, but his smile widened, gentle and knowing. In that moment, I saw it for what it was.

I had never really noticed it before, but now I did. His smile was utterly beautiful.

There was a ruggedness to him, a roughness shaped by time and experience, yet beneath it lay something deeper—a kind soul, a gentle heart, and a steady presence. He didn't have to say much, didn't have to try. Somehow, just by being there, he had a way of holding me together when I felt like I was falling apart. Archie was my anchor—silent and strong. A refuge during all this turmoil.

"Can I say something?" he asked after the silence lingered for a while.

"Not a question?"

"Nope." He shook his head.

"Let's hear it." I straightened up.

"You, Sara, are more than enough," he said, his voice firm, leaving no room for doubt. "You're perfect just as you are."

He held my gaze, his expression speaking a million unspoken words as if willing me to believe it, to feel it deep in my bones.

"Don't let Cole's selfishness, his blindness, make you question your worth. His failure to appreciate you says everything about him and nothing about you." He shook his head, exhaling sharply. "You gave him love, loyalty, and everything in between. If he was too foolish to see that, then that's on him—not you. Remind yourself of that, over and over again. Especially in the moments when doubt creeps in. Do you hear me, Sara?"

I nodded, swallowing a lump in my throat.

"I'll be reminding you of that regularly," he said seriously.

I grinned. "Okay."

"I don't care if it annoys you or if I sound like a broken record."

My grin widened. "Okay."

Archie turned the car down a narrow road lined with towering trees, their branches arching overhead to form a natural tunnel. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting shifting patterns on the pavement. The farther we went, the quieter it became, the hum of the main road fading behind us. For a moment, I wondered where he was taking me.

Then the trees opened up, revealing the side view of a small café tucked at the edge of a slow-moving river. The building was simple, with dark wooden beams and large windows that reflected the soft morning light. A narrow stone path led to the entrance, bordered by wild grass and scattered flowers that looked like they had grown there naturally.

Beyond the café, the river stretched wide, its surface broken only by the occasional ripple. A wooden deck extended over the water, with a few tables and chairs arranged neatly, offering a perfect view of the landscape. It was peaceful. The kind of place people stumbled upon by accident and never wanted to leave.

"You're right," I murmured, leaning forward to take in the view. "The inside looking out must be breathtaking."

"Come on." He pushed his door open. "It's still early, so there won't be too many people yet."

I stepped out of the car, stretching as I glanced around. "How did you even find this place?"

"Julian," he said simply. Julian was his younger brother. "John and Jeremy were his friends first."

Archie walked ahead, familiar with the place, while I took a moment to take it all in. I followed him up the stone path, my gaze drifting to the river behind the café. The water moved lazily, reflecting the sky in rippling shades of blue and gold.

As we reached the entrance, the glass door swung open with a soft chime, releasing the warmth of roasted coffee and freshly baked bread. Archie held the door open for me, and I stepped in, taking it all in before glancing at him. "I see why you brought me here. It's really nice."

He studied me for a moment. "Are you cold?"

I shook my head.

"If you want, we can sit outside on the deck," he suggested, nodding toward the back. "It's nicer out there. Good view, fresh air."

I glanced toward the large windows overlooking the river. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden glow over the wooden deck.

"That sounds perfect," I said.

The café was empty, and Archie just walked through like he owned the place. The owners must be in the kitchen at the back, judging from the pleasant smells.

I let out a long, contented sigh. "I'm glad you brought me here," I admitted, glancing at him. "Even though I still haven't washed my face, brushed my teeth, and look like I just rolled out of bed."

Archie grinned. "Oh, right. I forgot to stop at a convenience store."

I was about to respond when the café door swung open, and two guys stepped out. One of them immediately called out, "Archie!" while the other just smirked knowingly.

Archie stood and walked over to them, exchanging one of those complicated handshakes guys always seemed to understand but absolutely made no sense to me.

"Guys," Archie said as he strolled back to me. "This is my friend, Sara."

He gestured to the one wearing a black-and-white checkered flannel shirt, his long hair tied up in a man bun. "This is John."

Then he motioned to the other guy, dressed in a simple black shirt, a pair of jeans, and a baseball cap. "And this is Jeremy. They're brothers."

Both of them had that same rugged look as Archie—tattoos peeking from beneath their sleeves, a certain edge to them that made them seem effortlessly tough.

"Sara?" John said in a low tone, almost as if he was confirming something. " The Sara?"

I scrunched my forehead in confusion. The Sara? What was that supposed to mean?

I glanced up at Archie, who was already frowning at John, his jaw tightening slightly.

Before I could ask what they meant, Jeremy stepped closer, lowering his voice as he leaned in. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, his gaze searching mine.

I glanced down at my outfit, suddenly aware of how disheveled I must look. A hint of warmth crept into my cheeks. "Sorry, I just rolled out of bed, and Archie—"

"No," Jeremy interrupted, shaking his head. "That's not what I meant." His eyes softened as he studied me. "You look like you've been crying."

I stilled.

Then, as if realizing he might have overstepped, he let out a scant breath and ran a hand over the back of his neck. "Sorry. That was rude of me. I didn't mean to pry." A sheepish smile crossed his face. "How about I make you two a big breakfast of pancakes topped with crispy bacon, guacamole, and poached eggs, while John fixes you a cup of coffee?"

"That sounds great," I said with a smile.

Jeremy nodded to his brother, and the two of them disappeared inside.

The moment they were gone, I turned to Archie. "Do they know me?"

He looked away briefly before meeting my gaze again. "I've told them about you."

That caught me off guard. "How? Why?"

Archie didn't answer right away. But when he did, his words stunned me.

"Because you're the girl with the peaches that I was looking for."

A quiet beat stretched between us. I wasn't sure what to say to that. I wasn't even sure what it meant.

"That's a story for another day, Peaches," he said, his gaze shifting away. "For now, let's just enjoy the quiet of this morning. It gives you peace, doesn't it?"

"Yes..." I murmured, my voice trailing off. But my mind was far from quiet, still turning over his words, trying to make sense of them.

Not long after, John and Jeremy returned, carrying our food and coffee. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and a warm breakfast filled the morning air. Despite the restlessness in my head and the ache in my heart, I found I could still eat. Maybe it was my determination to push through this—to come out of it standing strong. Or maybe it was because of Archie, his persistence, the way he kept reminding me to take just one more bite.

I finished the entire plate. It took time—over an hour—but I finished it.

When I set my fork down, Archie looked at me, a slow smile spreading across his face. He looked very pleased.

"Happy?" I asked, swallowing a small burp, feeling way too full.

Archie grinned so widely, his eyes nearly disappeared into slits. "Very."

John and Jeremy joined us outside for a while, and the three of them started swapping old stories. Turns out both of them had been part of Archie's crew back in the day. They laughed as they retold the time Archie almost ended up marrying a village chief's daughter. A story that, judging by Archie's groan, he would rather forget.

I laughed along; the conversation was light and easy. For the first time in a while, I wasn't thinking about the mess I had left behind. When the brothers went back inside, leaving me alone with Archie, he held my gaze and said, "From this day on, Sara, I'll be your pillar. The man you can lean on. Whatever you need. Even if that means staying away, if that's what's best for you. I'll give you that too." He let out a slow breath, and his eyes stayed on mine. "But I'll never be the one to hurt you. I'll do whatever it takes to never let you down. And that's a fucking promise."

*** *** ***

The days dragged on. It had been almost a month since I last saw Cole. He hadn't contacted me. No calls, no messages.

Maria had moved quickly. The lawyers drafted a settlement outlining everything I would receive—my house, full ownership of my company, both cars, a substantial financial payout, and monthly alimony. Even Elsa's house, still in Cole's name, was factored into the deal, with me receiving half its value in cash. The mountain cabin, once an abandoned project, was now mine alone. When Maria handed me the documents, I took a long moment to absorb it all. I had spent years tied to Cole, personally and financially, but this was the clean break I had wanted. With a steady breath, I signed, bringing an end to a chapter I never expected to close so soon.

The settlement was finalized, and the divorce process was officially underway. The court still needed to give final approval, a process that would take time, but the signed settlement already secured my financial independence.

Cole didn't reach out—not to argue, not to fight for anything. I had taken exactly what I deserved. No second chances. No drawn-out goodbyes.

It was for the best.

I dove back to work the moment I returned, barely pausing to catch my breath. During my absence, Bobby apparently took the initiative, assuming my responsibilities, looking after our clients, and maintaining smooth operations. Somehow, she had also taken charge of Cole's company when he was absent while managing her own subsidiary. A one-woman show. I had no idea how she pulled it off, but I was grateful for her, even though I still wasn't speaking to her. She showed up from time to time and tried to talk to me, even though my responses were still cold and detached. Still angry.

I never saw Cole. I didn't even know if he was in his office. Elsa never returned either. I had Dona pack up her things and store them in the basement's private storage, reserved only for us. As for Cole's belongings, I sent them to his parents' house. Fortunately, they were out of the country. If they weren't, my phone would have been ringing, and I'd have to explain everything to them.

It turned out the gossip had already spread. Some people in the office knew about Cole's affair with Elsa. Dona had only recently found out herself—apparently, rumors about Elsa giving birth and Cole being there had been running rampant. And, of course, it was Elsa herself who had started them. That horrendous bitch had taken a picture of Cole asleep in a hospital chair and sent it to a few of her friends in the office.

"Sara!" Dona burst into my office, slamming the door shut behind her. Her face was tight with urgency.

"What happened?" I asked, immediately on edge.

She hesitated, struggling to find the words. "God, Sara, this is the worst thing ever."

My stomach dropped. "What?"

Dona exhaled sharply. "Elsa is here." Her voice was laced with anger, disappointment, and barely concealed hatred.

"And she's brought the baby."