Page 194 of The Bonus

Almost there.

Ariana holds my hand in her lap as we drive through New York City, and I sit silently with my heart in my throat. What happens when we get there?

It kills me to hurt her, how do I do this?

I think of all the men and women who leave a marriage and effectively walk out on their children. How do you walk out one day for another person and never go back?

I feel sick for leaving my kids today just to take Ariana home…

My phone vibrates in my pocket, Grace.

The urge to read the text takes me every inch of control to fight. I can’t open my phone in front of Ariana, she’ll go postal.

With my elbow leaning on the door, I pinch the bridge of my nose.

I’m caught in a nightmare.

Living between two places, trying to win the love and respect of my children. I have zero interest in work or being in New York anymore and I’m hopelessly in love with one woman while breaking another woman’s heart.

We drive into the underground parking lot and Ariana smiles up at me, grateful that I’ve brought her to my house.

My heart sinks as we turn the corner and I see her parents’ car parked in my bays.

She sits forward. “Why are my parents here?” Her panicked eyes flick to me. “You called my parents?”

I grip her hand in mine. “I’m worried about you,” I tell her softly.

“Then don’t leave me,” she cries.

Mark’s eyes flick up to meet mine in the rearview mirror.

Fuck…here we go.

Mark pulls the car up alongside her parents and I open the door.

“No,” she cries as she clings to me. “You can’t do this, we love each other, Gabriel.” Her mother and father walk over to the car and look over me in at her.

“Thank you for coming,” I say sadly. I climb out of the car as she clings to me.

“Ariana, darling. You’re coming home with us,” her mother says.

“No, Gabriel, don’t you leave me.”

Her father reaches into the car and she begins to fight him.

Their silhouettes blur as the lump in my throat nearly cuts off my air.

He drags her from my car, and to the sound of her cries, he puts her in his.

I stand to the side, helpless.

This is devastating.

Her mother gets into the backseat beside her and her father slams the door shut and then turns to me. “I’ll never forgive you for this.”

My nostrils flare as I try to hold it together. “Deservedly so.”

I watch the car slowly disappear.

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