Page 92 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“It happened during lunch.”

Heart rate speeding up again. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

She extends her hand. Her perfectly manicured hand, dripping with all manner of gemstone jewelry. “I’m Charlotte Auerback, Owen’s fiancée.”

My heart is pounding so loudly in my ears that I must have heard this woman wrong. “His what?”

“Fiancée. Well, until a couple of months ago. We’ve been on a break.”

I open my mouth to speak, but all I can manage is gasping like a fish out of water.

His fiancée?

A couple months ago?

They’ve been on a break?

“Charlotte, who are you talking to—” Owen strolls into the room, wearing only a pair of shorts, a towel slung around his shoulder. His face pales when he sees me, his hands dropping by his side. “Tally. You’re early.”

I’m the woman who knows what to say. A witty comeback or a biting remark, I’m always on point. But not this time. All I feel are the walls closing in as the reality of the situation slaps me in the face.

“Yeah,” I manage, my gaze on the ground, my stomach contents threatening to emerge all over Charlotte’s Louboutin heels.

“I see you’ve met Charlotte.”

“Yes. I’ve met your fiancée,” I spit out, my gaze finally rising to meet Owen’s. I will the tears to stay in my skull, but the sons of bitches don’t listen.

Owen’s jaw slackens. “No, she’s my ex-fiancée. Darlin, let me explain.”

He takes a step toward me, and I leap back. “Don’t touch me.”

“Charlotte, you need to go,” Owen bellows, throwing open the door.

“What about our arrangement? We need to discuss this project, Owen. It’s a tremendous opportunity for you.”

“Go. Now,” Owen repeats, the veins bulging in his neck.

My stomach can’t take any more. I push between them and dash into the bathroom, losing my lunch along with the last vestiges of my hope and sanity. I sink to the floor, leaning against the vanity as the tears stream down my face.

I’m such an idiot. A naïve fool.

Love doesn’t exist, at least not for me, and the gorgeous woman outside is proof of that fact.

“Tally, Darlin, are you okay?” Owen knocks at the door and I hear the panic in his voice.

Part of me wants to remain locked in the bathroom forever, until I cease to exist, never having to face the devastation of my reality. But, I also know that piece of shit owes me some answers and this time, I’m going to get them. I won’t let him walk on me like the last bastard I trusted.

I stand up, sucking in a lungful of oxygen as I stare at my reflection. I have to keep it together. I have a baby to consider now. A baby that Owen will never know about.

I splash water on my face, my hand pausing on the doorknob. With a last sigh, I throw open the door, pushing past Owen as I storm into the living room.

Screw explanations. Right now, I can’t handle being in the same vicinity as Owen.

Besides, do the reasons even matter? He betrayed me.

My trust.

My heart.

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