Page 87 of Frozen Flames

“Let’s go in. I’m getting cold, and I’ll head out for the day.” Claire releases my hand and waits for me to transfer into my wheelchair.

Once inside, I remove my winter coat before Claire signals me into the kitchen.

“Gemma left you a note.” She hands it to me, and for a second, my heart drops. Gemma’s writing scribbled on the notepad says that she’s going to New York for a few days and that I should enjoy my alone time with Claire.

She probably saw us outside.

I check the time and realize she was home earlier than usual.

I head to her room and notice that her suitcase isn’t there and neither is she.

She’s gone.

I know Claire’s watching my erratic movements with dread, but I can’t help myself. I take out my phone and call Gemma, silently begging her to pick up.

I don’t even wait for her to say hello. “What do you mean you’re going to New York? Why?”

“For work.”

“Oh, okay. Well, why didn’t you tell me?” Claire tells me that she’s leaving and she’ll see me tomorrow, but I put my finger up, hoping she’ll wait.

“I was going to tell you tonight, but then I saw you two all cozied up together outside.”

I hear Claire’s retreating steps.

“Do you have time to come back? Gemma, please. It’s not what you think.”

It’s exactly what you think.

I just don’t know how to break it to you.

“Is she still there?”

“What?” Where is she heading with this? Of course she’s here. She knows her hours. “Yes, but—”

“You begged me.” She sounds heartbroken. From the sound of Gemma’s voice, it’s obvious there’s still love for me there. “Why did you want another chance? Is this a game to you?”

“No, of course not! Gemma, I’m so sorry you keep getting caught up in this mess. I swear I’ll—”

I’m about to tell her that I’ll clear everything up when she gets back, but then it hits me that she’s going to New York with her boss, most likely just the two of them.

“I’ll see you when I get back. Goodbye, Harv.”

Jealousy courses through my veins. “No, no, no. Wait! Don’t sleep with him.”

“It’s too late for that.”

I’m shocked.

I can’t speak.

Claire comes back, and I’m sure it’s obvious from the look on my face that I’ve just received horrible news.

“What?” I don’t even realize the word slipped out of my mouth.

She cheated on me with her boss.

She dropped me into someone else’s lap so she could go fuck her boss.

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