Page 26 of Bitter Secrets

She looked out the window, but couldn’t see anything beyond the unrelenting rain. She sat back, closed her eyes, and came to when the rain abruptly ceased as they pulled up to a building. She straightened and peered through the window. Her stomach iced over. He wouldn’t…

Johan opened the door. “Mrs. Roth?”

When she didn’t take his hand, he bent down to peer at her.

“Is something wrong?”

Yes. Roth was a heartless bastard. She forced herself to step out of the car. The glass and steel monstrosity towering over her was the same building Roth lived in five years ago. Her hand balled into a fist as she entered the lavish lobby of one of the most exclusive residential buildings in the world. While the lobby of 432 Park Avenue was teeming with people, this one was empty. In New York, it was all about being seen. Here, it was about privacy. The only sound in the extravagant lobby came from an eight-foot waterfall. Little details had changed, but it was just as impressive as she remembered. The seating area where she spent hours waiting for Roth to return her call was the same. She could almost see the ghost of her younger self sitting on the edge of her seat with her luggage around her while the staff debated whether to kick her out. As her gaze touched on the concierge, a man rounded the desk.

“Mrs. Roth!”

She felt a shock of recognition as the man drew near. The manager who had once mistaken her for an imposter gave her a welcoming smile.

“Mr. Roth told us you would be joining him on this trip!” he exclaimed.

The last time she spoke to this man, he helped her procure a car so she could leave her husband.

“Can we take your bags up for you?” the manager asked and extended a hand toward Johan.

“I’ve got it,” Johan said shortly.

The manager’s hands fluttered as he asked, “How was your flight? Would you like a meal? Are there any appointments I can book for you?”

“My flight was great,” she said and gave him the best smile she could muster. “I’m not hungry, and I don’t have any plans so far, but I’ll let you know if I do. Thank you.”

He inclined his head as he stepped back. “Excellent, ma’am. If we can assist you in any way, don’t hesitate. We’re available any time.”

“Thank you,” she murmured.

Johan led the way to the elevator. She followed with her arms crossed over her chest, bracing herself as Johan typed in a code so the doors opened and then entered a longer set to make the doors close. As the elevator began to rise, she broke out in a cold sweat.

Even he wouldn’t be so cruel, would he? The doors opened, and any hope that Roth had an iota of empathy vanished. It was the same penthouse. She stepped into the elegant entry hall, boots clicking on black marble as she led the way to the main living area that faced Hyde Park. Her gaze moved around the room, which she had seen only once, but was heartbreakingly familiar. The vase of orchids had been replaced by cheery red amaryllis. Like the lobby, not much had changed since the night she walked out on him.

“Do you want me to take your bags into the master?” Johan asked.

When she didn’t answer, he looked at her.

“Mrs. Roth?”

This was the backdrop of her nightmares, the place where he broke her heart into a million pieces. He didn’t think twice about bringing her here because one of the worst nights of her life didn’t mean shit to him. “I want to go to a hotel.”

“Um, I don’t think—” He broke off as she turned on her heel and headed back to the entry hall. “Mrs. Roth!”

She stabbed the button to call the elevator, but nothing happened.

“Open it,” she ordered as Johan stopped beside her.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

She wrapped her arms around herself so tightly, her fingers went numb. “I don’t want to be here.”

He eyed her for a moment before he held out his phone. “If he says it’s okay, I’ll take you wherever you want.”

She snatched the phone.

“Speed dial one.”

She stared at her reflection in the gold elevator doors as the phone began to ring. Roth answered before it went to voicemail.

---