Page 69 of Secret Marriage To My Bosshole

We both have a lot of thinking to do. I stare at the front door, wondering when Cora will be back tonight.

It's been three days since the news broke, and she's been staying at Kaleigh's.

Cora thought it would be good to take some time to think, but I'm not sure if that's the best approach. Harsh realities have surfaced, and I try to avoid dwelling on them.

Whenever I find a moment of peace, however, I can imagine Cora resenting me in the future.

There's no way she wouldn't, especially after dealing with my family for years to come. She would hate that kind of life.

I don't want her to spend her life miserable. Cora will never fit in with my family, and they will keep harassing her.

I'll be torn between them, and she deserves better than a man who doesn't know if he can support her when his family turns against them.

The thought of losing her is unbearable, but I fear that's the path we're on. I've never felt so lost and unsure of the future.

Fuck, I’m such a coward.

Sighing, I swirl around the whiskey in my glass before downing the rest of my drink.

The front door opens, and Cora walks in. Dark bags circle beneath her eyes, and her shoulders slump forward.

She hums to herself as she flicks off the front porch light before looking around.

I used to love the way she looked for me when she got home. Now, the smile on her face when she sees me only hurts more.

I take a deep breath and set the empty glass aside before getting up and walking over to her. “Hey, I wasn’t sure when you'd be home.”

“Me neither. Kaleigh wanted to get together with Sophie and go out for some drinks and dancing tonight, but I wanted to come home to you and work things out.”

Guilt claws at me, tearing my insides to shreds. “Sounds like you passed up on a good night. We can talk when you get home if you want to go out with them.”

I want her to go back out so we don’t have to talk right now. It’s entirely selfish, but all I want is a little more time.

I don’t want to break our hearts tonight, especially when she seems this happy to come home to me.

I’m an asshole.

She should hate me for the life I’ve dragged her into.

Cora shakes her head and stretches. “No way. I’ve missed curling up in bed with you and falling asleep to your snoring.”

Her tone is light and teasing as she tosses her keys into the bowl on the console table.

My heart races, and I’m grateful for the dim light and the distance between us. I don’t know how I would handle this if we were any closer.

Watching Cora leave my office in pain after resigning nearly tore me to pieces.

Cora wouldn’t be hurting if I hadn’t convinced her to stay married to me.

She would still be my assistant, paying off her debt as quickly as possible with the plan of leaving the job eventually.

I wouldn’t have trapped her with my family.

“Cora,” I swallow the lump in my throat, but it feels like choking. The room feels smaller, and there isn’t enough air. “I wish that story had never been leaked. I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t do it.”

My hands tremble as I stuff them into my pockets. “You’re right. I didn’t do it, but we both know who did. I think the story was the wake-up call we’ve both needed.”

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