Page 38 of Beyond our Forever

No, no!

Please, no.

My baby.

Chapter 11

Present

I just can’t believe it. Even with the bottle of wine in my hand, I still can’t believe it.

Why now and why in such a way?

Needing some advice, I take out my phone, and after much hesitation, dial Emilia’s number.

“It can’t be him,” she assures me, repeating what I think, but for different reasons. “I’m telling you, Ilythia, Bruce doesn’t care anymore.”

Ouch. No matter how many times I repeat those words to myself, it still hurts to hear them out loud.

“What if he’s trying to win me back?” I ask hopefully.

“I don’t think so,” she replies disdainfully. “I told you I saw him with that blonde. If he really wanted you back, he wouldn’t be seeking comfort in someone else’s arms, would he?”

What can I say to a statement like that? If Bruce is already with another woman, well…

“Then why did he tell me he was desperate?” I still argue back.

“Because he’s a man, my friend.” I imagine her rolling her eyes, like my question is stupid.

I sigh, not knowing what to think, all this has me very confused.

“Ilythia, can’t you see? Your husband just wants to keep you wrapped around his finger to convince you to sign whatever he wants.”

I haven’t told her about the papers concerning his job he brought over a few nights ago.

I think I will keep it to myself.

“But what about the bottle of wine?” Here I go again. “It’s from the same vineyard where we stayed for our honeymoon, Emilia. That can’t be a coincidence.”

I hear her typing something and assume she’s on her computer looking for information about the wine.

“Ilythia,” she announces solemnly. “In the last ten years, Inglewood has become one of the most successful wine producers in Northern California, it’s very popular in the city, and what’s more, their wines can be bought in several liquor stores in the area. You see? It’s just a coincidence. In any case, if we’re talking about clues, didn’t the new neighbor say that he’s an amateur florist?”

“But I’ve only seen him once, so why would he be interested in me?”

“Why do you think? To get laid of course! And if he’s as good looking as you say, you might as well have a little fun. Just think about it.”

“I don’t know.” Despite her arguments, I still have my doubts.

“Are you doubting me?” she insists. “Don’t you trust what I’m saying? Frankly I’m quite offended.”

Just what I need, my best friend mad at me.

“It’s not that,” I try to explain. “But Bruce is still my husband, Emilia, and we’ve been through a lot together, so I refuse to believe that everything ends this way.”

Her groan is so loud it’s like she’s right beside me.

“Let me remind you that you didn’t decide to end your marriage on a simple whim, it was much more serious than that. Or have you already forgotten everything?”

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