Page 211 of Unhinged

Reaching for a napkin in his cupholder to dry his face, he stutters, “I don’t want her or Hadley. I’ve always wanted you. Simone Garrison. I just didn’t realize it sooner. I’m begging you to forgive me. We planned to have a real wedding and renew our vows. We can do that.”

“No.”

“You think I’ll be happier fucking other women?”

Tears fill my eyes, and I whisper, “I don’t know.”

Greg shifts, gets up on his knee more, and takes my face into his hands. “You’re truly my first and last. God, baby. I love you more than anything. Please don’t rip my heart out.”

“Greg, don’t.”

“What am I supposed to do without you? Go back to being alone and pretend we never fell in love?”

My voice grates as I fight more crying. “You’ll be okay.” I pull on his hands on the side of my head, but he’s strong.

But he removes them from me as he sobs more and gasps for air. He then grits his teeth, glaring at me. “I didn’t cry this hard when Eden died!” That blows my mind, and I’m speechless as his wet eyes frantically scrub my face. Quieter, he mutters, “I’m sorry for hurting you. Don’t make me live without you again.”

“I need time.”

He nods. “I can give you that. I’ll leave you alone, then. Just don’t end us. Our marriage wasn’t a sham. I want you as my wife forever, Simone. I love you. I want babies with you. You said you couldn’t live without me.”

I sniff. “I’ll need to try.”

With his elbow propped on the console, Greg cries beneath his hand, but when he drops his hand and looks over my shoulder, I glance to see Amos and Val standing on the porch, watching us. When Amos sees Greg’s face in the windshield, he turns away, shaking his head. I know Amos doesn’t want me to do this to Greg, but he also understands.

I twist back to Greg. With his red, swollen eyes, wet face, and desolate frown, this is hands down the most miserable I’ve ever seen him. Maybe I’m a monster for walking away like this. But it’s saving myself. And him.

“Promise me you’ll take the LSAT. Please, Greg.”

He uses the napkin to hide his face as it crumples again. Greg tearfully mumbles, “The last thing I want to think about is studying for something I don’t want anymore.”

“Don’t give up your dream because of me.”

“I trashed my dream when I fucked up our marriage.”

“You’re meant to help kids.”

“Right. I should help kids when I outright accused my wife, the person I trust most in this world, of scamming me for one. So I’m pretty sure I’m not qualified.”

“You’ll be a brilliant lawyer.”

“Not when I’m a shitty husband.”

Sighing as I dry my face, thankful I’m not wearing makeup to smear everywhere, I turn to open the door, but Greg grabs my arm. “Can I kiss my wife goodbye?”

“That’s not a good idea.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Jesus Christ.” Clutching my arm, he sniffs. “I want to see you graduate.”

I nod reluctantly. “Okay. I’ll send you a video.”

“In person. We can talk then and decide what to do. Is that fair?”

“I can’t promise anything right now. It’s four months away.”

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