Page 87 of Only Ever You

“Well, she is all yours.” I lean back in my chair. “What else has been happening while I’ve been away.”

“You’re an arsehole.” Mallory crosses her arms.

“Pippa quit. Did you expect her to do anything different?” Victor asks. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but she was a mess after you ditched her at the wedding.”

My chest tightens. The thought of how Pippa must have felt that day has haunted me this past month. But she made her choice when she hid the truth from me.

“Pippa wasn’t the woman I thought she was.”

“In what way?” Victor leans forward in his chair. “You two were in love one minute, and the next thing you’re running away.”

“I don’t know what to say to you. You weren’t there to see how devastated she was.” Mallory shakes her head. “I’m not sure who you are anymore.”

“Then maybe you never really knew me.”

Her eyes well with tears. “I’m beginning to realise that.”

“Deacon. Talk to us. We’re all here for you. Something went down between when you had drinks with us and you leaving. Maybe we can help.” There’s a softness to Garrett’s voice that’s not usually there. I know he cares—they all do.

Maybe I don’t deserve any sympathy. Pippa’s the one who needs the support.

I’m not surprised she’s quit. If I were in her shoes, I’d quit too. I hate that she feels she can’t work here anymore, but I also can’t blame her.

I did this.

I hate myself for it.

* * *

Pippa’s desk is spotless.

I’m not sure I expected anything else, but it still hits me hard.

I run my finger along the edge. God how I wish I could rewind to just a few weeks ago when I was oblivious to my mother and Lucas. Pippa and I were so happy.

No matter what I try and tell myself, it’s been her on my mind every second the whole month I was gone.

She’s all I ever wanted.

“So, you’re back.” Rochelle’s voice comes from the door.

I turn. She stalks toward me but comes to a halt on the other side of the desk.

“Pippa resigned,” she says, crossing her arms. “I’ve got no idea what is going through your head, but you swore to me that you wouldn’t hurt her. You’re damn lucky she’s not involving the company in this.”

I shrug. “Things just didn’t work out.”

“What the hell, Deacon?”

I’ve never heard Rochelle this upset. The tearful tone in her voice rips another hole straight through me. First Mallory, now Rochelle. Looks like I’m breaking hearts everywhere.

“She hid something important from me—something that if she’d just been honest about, I wouldn’t be so angry.”

“And it was enough to jilt her on her wedding day?”

I look away. What I did was heartless and done on the spur of the moment. I can regret how I did it without regretting why.

Meeting her gaze, I condemn myself. “What’s done is done.”

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