Page 19 of Second Chance Husband

He cleared his throat again.

I held back a sigh. Clark was a fierce publicist who cared for his clients, but I didn’t want him to look too closely. “What is it?”

“Talk to your friends. Addison already called me. I’m pretty sure she’s probably going to storm your office soon.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, that familiar guilt clawing its way through my gut. “Thank you for letting me know.”

“You’re welcome. Now, we’ll handle this part, you handle everything else.”

“It’s what I do,” I say with a sigh.

I looked at the clock then and realized it was after six. My team was already heading out, as I didn’t force people to work for too many hours a day. And I knew if I left now, some might think I was leaving to lick my wounds, but I didn’t care in that moment. I was tired, and I had more work to do at home. Plus, I had people I needed to reach out to. They were worrying about me, and I had to fix this.

Somehow.

I picked up my phone and looked at the group chat.

A dozen messages, and I knew I needed to answer them. To face the consequences of my own decisions.

Me: I’m headed home. If you’re able, I would love to see you there, with wine, cheese, and I’ll tell you everything.

Addison texted back first. I hadn’t known her as long as Devney, but she was already one of my favorite people in the world.

Addison: Damn straight. We were already planning on attacking you at home.

Devney: She means cornering you and asking questions, not actually attacking.

Addison: Well, I said what I said.

My lips twitched.

Me: See you in an hour?

Addison: You’ve got it.

Devney: I have sparkling wine.

Me: Sounds good.

I sighed, continued to pack up, and then headed out. I nodded at a few people who were still at their desks, since I wasn’t the last one out like usual, but then again, since marrying Jacob, I hadn’t always been here for late nights. We had had dinner parties and media relations to deal with. Something I hadn’t quite realized how much of myself I had given up until I stepped back to look objectively. And it had never been enough for him.

I wanted to shake my head and push him out of my thoughts, but we were going to talk about him tonight, so I wouldn’t be able to do it fully yet.

But then I would ignore him, and everything that had come with him.

I would just be me.

Whoever that me was.

I made my way to my house, having put on an audiobook rather than listening to the news. Because at the first mention of Jacob’s name, I knew that this wasn’t going to let up anytime soon.

Our local world, and in some aspects the national one, wanted to know why Jacob and I had gotten a divorce. And our statements, not so joint at all, weren’t going to clear the air. Because even if Jacob was going to throw me under the bus and it all be a lie, the affair would come out. Especially when his marriage to Lydia happened so quickly. But that wouldn’t be on me.

And if I kept telling myself that, I would soon believe it.

I pulled into my garage, grateful I didn’t sense my mother about. I had already changed the alarm key codes, and I would be changing the locks soon. I hated the fact that she had figured out how to worm her way in. Just like she always did.

I took off my shoes and stretched my ankles a bit after a long day in high heels. I went through my normal routine.

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