Page 40 of Unraveled

My head snapped up, and Izzy flinched when she met my eyes, telling me my pain was screaming at the surface. Blatant for her to see.

“How could I have known?” My voice strained and twisted with the hate I felt for myself. I’d been so dense, thinking she was relieved to be in my arms.

Izzy didn’t answer, not that I expected her to. I looked up into the vast, star-filled sky. It was so different, more dazzling than in the city.

Anna would have thought this was beautiful.I immediately cursed the thought, wanting to beat myself for still caring, and tucked away the frustration to continue.

“Things were off between us after that night, but I didn’t think I needed to worry too much. Everything would be fine when I proposed.

“I waited for that next perfect day and finally settled on the idea of New Year’s Eve. Mark asked me to meet him that day with another prospective buyer for the project, which surprised me, but I agreed, especially after the last disaster of a meeting we’d had. It was early enough in theday that I knew it wouldn’t affect my plans, and I warned Mark I would leave if it ran late. Iwouldput Anna first this time.

“Wanting to keep her suspicion off my proposal and make it a surprise, I told her I’d be working late, but not to worry, I’d be home in plenty of time to share our midnight kiss. I’d bring home wine if she picked the music.

“It was snowing again, and the drive home that afternoon felt like forever. I couldn’t wait to get home to her and had the ring tucked and ready in my pocket. Iwouldask her that night. I was determined. And it seemed even more perfect than my original plan. A proposal was a great way to start off the New Year.

“There were glasses of wine on the table when I walked in, and music was playing in the bedroom. The candles she had lit smelled like apples and cinnamon, and her perfume was in the air.

“I remember thinking that I must have been a poor liar. She’d known I was going to surprise her and was way ahead of the game. I smiled at the thought, wondering what surprise I might find in the bedroom.

“Not wanting any interruptions, I stopped by Enzo’s room first to make sure he wasn’t home, and when I’d confirmed he wasn’t there, I just smiled wider and locked the bolt on the front door to keep it that way. My imagination was going a little wild at that point, picturing what Anna might have in store.”

I gripped the edge of the tailgate as a vicious bout of nausea overtook me. I had to force myself to swallow, trying to dislodge the queasy lump working its way up my throat, my body starting to shake from the suppressedhurt and anger I was finally letting emerge. Just thinking about it now… Actually letting myself remember it…

“If only I’d known what I’d be walking in on,” I growled before the memories slammed into me, and I jerked at the force my emotions took. This was the first time I’dallowedmyself to think about what I was going to share next.

“When I opened that door, I expected to find Anna lying in our bed, waiting. I’d ravish her and then ask her as soon as we were done. Then we could go some more, for the rest of the night if she was up for it. It would have been a bloody brilliant way to celebrate and bring in the New Year.”

I braced myself, trying to steady my ever-churning stomach with the memory of opening that door. Seeing Anna held tightly in my best mate’s arms beneath the twisted sheets, her legs wrapped around Enzo as they moved together. And the way she moaned… sounds onlyIwas supposed to cause her to make.

I’d been too shocked to feel anythingbutshock as I stood in that doorway, holding her favorite flowers, the symbol of my love and commitment still tucked away in my coat. They didn’t even know I was there. I was frozen, stuck watching in horror as my world was ripped apart.

It wasn’t until Anna cried outEnzo’sname, her body shuddering beneath him, that I could react. The rage hit then. My vision turned red. I slammed the door and threw the flowers against the wall right as Enzo groaned his release.

They sprang apart, guilt, surprise, and horror in their expressions as I barreled towards the bed, but they had shown no regret. I remembered that.

I felt a gentle touch on my arm jerking me back to the present. Startled and full of barely controllable fury, I somehow registered Izzy’s concern.

“You don’t have to go any further.”

“Thanks,” I muttered when I fought the rage back enough to speak.

“Of course,” she replied, sitting by my side in silent comfort while I worked to shove back what I wished I could forget.

ISABEL

I didn’t even know what to say. I was just trying to imagine what it must have been like for him, but I couldn’t. Nic had told me once that his pain was different. I could now say he’d definitely been right. But that it was better left alone? Maybe not if it still hit him this strongly.

“Hey, Nic?”

“Yes?”

My fingers wound through my hair, afraid to approach what I wanted to ask.

“Just ask me, Izzy. I can’t guarantee I’ll open up again anytime soon.”

He sounded so drained; it hurt me to hear it. Swatting at what had to be the hundredth June bug tonight, I asked, “Did they at least tell you why?”

“Ah.” Nic’s head fell back. “The million dollar question. What puts it all back on me.” He looked down at me, so much hurt openly displayed over the stone of his eyes. “Apparently, I had changed. Somewhere along the way of trying to give Anna everything she wanted, I became obsessed with work. I didn’t make time for us anymore. She said she was tired of waiting for me. Not just on our anniversary but all the time. That Enzo had been there for her. That they’d had an instant connection she’d tried to fight but couldn’t anymore. She said when I failed to come through on our anniversary, it was the deciding moment. I’d disappointed her for the last time. She actually felt herself fall out of love with me that night…”

---