Page 11 of Untouchable

“If you're so miserable why did you stay?”

“Because this house is just as much mine as yours. I worked my ass off with renovations, with making it a home I could live in. I wasn’t, and still am not, ready to just give that away, Clara.”

“You’re right. I can’t keep holding on to something that isn’t there.”

“I wish I'd never wasted all these years with you. Look at what it's gotten me!” Clara screeched. More slamming of drawers and cupboards followed her aunt’s harsh words. “There is no way I’m staying here.”

“You’re just going to leave Chloe, after the shit she went through?”

“Chloe is a big girl. She’s doing fine. Besides, you’re here and can look after her.” Her aunt’s voice was deceptively low. “I don’t even want to be here, not with you, not when the very sight of you makes my stomach turn. And you wonder why I cheated?”

“No, I don’t wonder,” Dominic said. “I’m sure the guy you wrangled is loaded. That’s what you’re after these days, right? Bottomless pockets and someone who lets you get away with whatever?”

Chloe was about to leave, to take that second run, but she was frozen in place as she heard her aunt spit out a string of insults to Dominic. A second later the sound of a car starting and peeling out of the driveway had Chloe swallowing roughly in unease.

As the sound of the car grew distant, Chloe turned to go back toward the lake. The sound of the back door opening had her glancing over her shoulder. Dominic stood there with his hands in his pockets, his focus on the lake. His expression was like stone. He held things in, concealed them behind a mask of cool and collected composure. He’d always been like that.

He didn’t realize she was standing there, but she swore he had to have heard how fast and hard her heart was thundering. And then he turned, and their gazes clashed, held. Neither of them spoke for several moments. Chloe started to feel the tension in the air. Awkwardness didn’t even begin to describe the situation.

Should she pretend she didn’t hear anything? Surely by the weirdness happening right now, he had to know she’d heard it all.

“You heard.” He didn’t phrase it like a question.

Chloe moved over to where he stood and nodded. “Yeah. I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to.”

He sat down, and she took the seat beside him.

“Should I just go?” How could she stay here after all this? Surely he wanted to be alone.

“No, I don’t want you to leave.” He turned and smiled at her. “And you have nothing to be sorry about. I’m just sorry you had to be here when the shit finally hit the fan. I know this has to be awkward for you.”

It was none of Chloe’s business, but she loved his honesty and wanted him to feel like he could tell her anything. So against her better judgment, she asked, “If things were this bad why did you go along with keeping up appearances?” His heavy exhale made her instantly regret what she’d said. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business."

“No, it’s all right.” He didn’t speak for a long moment, and she could see he was mulling over all of this. “I honestly don’t know why I let her control the situation. The marriage has been over for years, and the ink on the divorce papers long since dried.” He looked at Chloe then. “I think I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt. I didn’t want things ruined because I knew you guys were coming up, and I wanted it good and memorable.” He shook his head and looked back at the lake. “But all of that got fucked up anyway, so…”

“I’m sorry everything went down like this.”

“Yeah. Me too, Chloe.” He sounded tired, but not in the physical way. He breathed out wearily, leaned back in the chair, and ran a hand over his jaw. “It is what it is, but I’m glad it’s all out in the open now. It’s a weight off my shoulders.”

They stayed silent a while longer, but it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Chloe didn’t know what to say, but knew that right now saying nothing was probably better than trying to force it.

When the sun had finally set, she made her way inside and washed up. Chloe wished there was something she could do to make things different, wished she could wipe away the broken disappointment, the soul-crushing … pain.

Would things ever be the same?

She had a feeling they wouldn’t.

9

A WEEK LATER

Afull seven days had passed since everything had happened with Jake, then finishing off with Clara screaming at Dominic and the infidelity coming out, and her storming away. She hadn’t been back since. Chloe had overheard a phone conversation with Dominic and who she assumed was Clara on the other end. And it had ended with him saying that he agreed … it was best she didn’t come back.

Yet Chloe was still here. Maybe she should have left, because she had a feeling even if Dominic wanted her to go, he wouldn’t tell her. He’d let her stay here forever if she wanted to.

And things were tense, really tense if she was being honest. She tried to stay out of his way, to give him space, because she knew if she was going through that, she’d want to be alone.

Then why are you still here?

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