Page 5 of Everlasting Love

I fill my lungs with a deep breath and open the door. The first thing that hits me is the scent of perfume. Perfume that isn’t mine. What the hell? I step fully inside and take a moment to look around. I notice a lacy bra that isn’t mine hanging out of one of the drawers, and as I scan the room, other unfamiliar items grab my attention. I guess his whore’s been spending time here now that we’re not together.

I move woodenly toward the drawer to investigate further, disgusted at the fact that she’s put her bra inmydrawer alongsidemyunderwear. I’m going to have to wash everything. My stomach rolls uncomfortably at the thought of her stuff touching mine. With two fingers, I pull her bra out of the drawer and toss it onto the messy bed, then open my drawer fully, ready to scoop up my bras and panties. My eyes widen in disbelief as I take in a drawer full of underwear that’s not mine. I quickly close it and open the next drawer to find the same. Repeating the process, I find all of my drawers filled with some other woman’s clothes.

I feel violated.

She would have gone through my drawers and touched all of my things. Or maybe Allen did it. I don’t know which is worse. I quickly walk over to my closet, and when I open it, I’m confronted with the same thing. All of my things are missing, replaced with another woman’s stuff. My hands shake as I take in the jeans and sweaters. Skirts and boots. Feminine dresses and blouses.

Maybe he lost interest in me because I wasn’t feminine enough on top of giving most of my focus to our daughter. Not that it matters now. He’s made it clear that I’m no longer what he wants. After everything I put up with. Disgust consumes me over staying for as long as I did. God, I was a fool. But I thought I was doing the right thing for Jas.

I spin around, scanning the room, looking for my things. It’s like I never lived here, and honestly, in this moment, Iwish I never had. I step out of the bedroom on shaky legs and make my way down the hallway to check the cupboard there. My things aren’t there. He’d better not have given my stuff away. I’ll fucking kill him. Anger fills every cell in my body, and I tear through my home like my hair’s on fire; opening and closing doors until I stop dead in my tracks at what greets me when I open the door to the guest bedroom.

A gasp escapes and I cover my mouth. I don’t know if it’s because of the emotional build-up I’ve been feeling about coming here today but tears immediately burst free along with a violent sob. There, on the bed, all of my clothes lay discarded. Just like my marriage. Just like me. I’m unsure if I’m sad or angry; both emotions seem to be warring with each other for dominance.

How dare he treat me like I never existed. Like I wasn’t once the most important person in his life. And the way he’s dismissed Jasmine.His daughter.Hisfucking daughter. That thought takes my fury to a whole new level.

I guess anger wins out.

A warm hand on my lower back breaks me from the memory and a shiver makes its way up my spine. It’s only then I realize how stiffly I’m holding myself. “Are you okay?” Shane’s warm breath feathers across the side of my face in a gentle caress, sending my senses into overdrive.

I glance up at him. His dark brows are slashed low over his eyes and his features are full of concern. Concern that’s directed at me. A stranger. It’s been a long time since I’ve had anyone of the opposite sex show concern for me. I draw in a long breath and try to clear my thoughts. “I’m not okay but I will be. One day,” I add and force a smile. “Thanks for checking in.”

“You’re welcome.” He tips his head in acknowledgment and then steps away. The space beside me feels cold and empty theinstant he moves, leaving me feeling vulnerable and exposed. I sigh.Stop it, Violet.

He and Toby fall into a deep discussion, and Cass gains everyone’s attention. “As wonderful as this evening has been, it’s time we get this superstar-in-the-making home to bed.”

I chuckle and turn to look at the little superstar whose mouth and chin are covered with sticky ice cream. I’m so freaking proud of her. I love how she goes after what she wants, and I pray she never loses that. I hope life doesn’t steal her wishes and dreams. That her sparkle never diminishes. Jasmine watches her cousin with adoration, and I couldn’t want for a better role model for my daughter.

We all pileinto Cass’s car, Mom taking her turn in the back seat with the girls. I twist my body so I’m facing my sister and drop my voice to keep our conversation between us. “Soooo … don’t think I didn’t notice.”

Cass glances at me and then quickly returns her attention to the road. “Notice what?”

“Don’t play innocent, Cass. I saw you hugging Toby. Not bad considering you didn’t think he’d ever speak to you again.”

She exhales a long breath and her shoulders slump. “He’s worried that some weirdo is going to come for Poppy after videos and photos of them performing together ended up online.”

I nod. “Yeah, Shane said something similar. Surely it can’t bethatbad.” I feel like they’re overreacting a little.

“That’s what I said, but Toby was adamant that something bad may happen to Poppy so he’s going to have Shane watch over her.”

I snap my head back around to my sister. “What? You don’t think that’s overkill?”

She huffs. “Of course I do but he was … determined.” She glances at me. “He really cares for her, Vi. He doesn’t want anything to happen to her.” Her tone softens, and the shame in her voice is noticeable.

My heart goes all squishy for the second time tonight. Poppy deserves to have someone who really cares for her outside of our girl squad, and so does Cassia. I reach over and squeeze Cass’s arm. “Of course he does. Everyone falls in love with Poppy. You realize this means you’ll probably see more of Toby.”

She lifts and drops one shoulder. “Maybe. Or, he could avoid me. He won’t be the one watching over Poppy, so I doubt I’ll see him.”

“You could go over and talk to him. Sort things out.”

“Yeah, maybe. I’ll definitely apologize, but as for anything more … I don’t like my chances.” She glances at me. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you talking to Shane.” She winks as she deftly changes the subject.

Shit.I knew I should have kept my distance. My sister knows me too well. I shrug as nonchalantly as I can. “He’s easy on the eyes, and it looks like we may get to see him more often.” I wiggle my eyebrows. “We deserve some eye candy on the regular. Don’t you think?”

Cass chuckles. “We sure do.”

When we arrive home, I gently unbuckle Jas from her car seat and lift her into my arms, careful not to wake her. I glance up at the house as I quietly close the car door. I can’t believe I’m a twenty-nine-year-old woman with a three-year-old daughter, and I’m living at home with my mom, sister, and niece.

I exhale a long breath filled with defeat.

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