Page 47 of Yours to Conquer

"I missed you, too. I think the reporter from theTimesthought I was missing you as well. He sent me a bunch of photos, just in case I needed an Anthony fix. Sadly, you weren't missing me as much as I'd hoped. I had no idea how much it would hurt me to see you with another woman, but it destroyed me."

I grab my phone from my purse and set it on the table. I pull up the photos and put them to show as a slideshow. Picture after picture pops up. He seems surprised but doesn't jump to defend himself.

"It's not what you think it is. I'm not cheating on you." His voice is calm and almost monotone.

"It looks pretty cut-and-dried. She was with you almost every day you were gone. How long have you known her?" I can almost forgive a weak moment. He'd left on the heels of a major fight. Has he known her for a long time? Maybe it's me who's the other girl. I can't forgive him if she has been in his life for a while and he never told me. "Is she gone forever, or will I have to worry about her?"What am I saying? He was with another woman. My question might lead him to believe we're still a couple, which is not the case.

"She's going to be around for a while, I think." A small smile emerges from his lips.

"You're a son of a bitch! How can you profess your love to me and then hook up with some young redheaded whore willing to spread her legs for you?" The accusation spills out of my mouth quickly.

I watch his lip twitch as he vacillates between laughter and anger. Anger finally wins.

"Damn it, Emma! You decided I was guilty, and now you're making me hang for a crime I didn't commit. Everything I do is because I love you."

"You love me so much you have to leave my arms and fall into the embrace of another woman who happens to resemble me. You know, I could get over the girl. It wouldn't be easy, but I could. I can't get over you lying to me about where you were. The entire time you were gone, you told me you were in Dallas, and yet there you are, walking into a luxury hotel in Phoenix. Is this where you slept with her? Did she travel with you? I bet you had a fabulous time." My face is hot from my fury.

He growls in frustration and combs his hands through his hair. "I'm done, Emma. I have loved no one as I love you, but I can't love someone who doesn't trust me. You've had one foot in and one foot out of the door since we met. When you decide you want to commit yourself to a relationship, let me know. I may still be around and have a small bit of love left in my heart for you. But until then, stay the hell away from me."

He pushes away from the table with such force, the water glasses tumble over and spill onto the floor. I'm left in shock. Somehow I'm to blame for his lack of integrity and inability to keep his junk in his pants.

"I can't let you leave without telling you I might be pregnant." Iwatch as the anger leaves his body. He stares at me. "I have an appointment on Monday morning to pick up my results." My eyes lower, so I can't see his face. I don't want to see how he feels about this news or see him look at me with hatred.

He bends over to pick up his bag, reaches, in and pulls out a manila envelope. He stalks toward me like a bull running at a matador. Slamming the parcel down on the table, he turns to leave.

"Text me the address of your physician. I have a right to be there." He storms out without another word.

I sit in silence, looking at the wet tablecloth and overturned glasses. The perfect table setting is in shambles, just like my life.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

I’m not sure how I made it home. I drove through the side streets, knowing the tears would obstruct my vision and the sobbing would slow down my reaction time. This is not a night to battle the freeways.

Parked safely in front of my house, I let my head fall on the steering wheel as I replay the meeting over and over.

He was thrilled to see me. I showed him the pictures, and he almost grinned. That wasn’t the response I’d expected. It wasn’t until I began yelling at him about integrity and infidelity that he finally responded.

I expected him to be angry about his lack of privacy. I expected him to rant about trust, but I didn’t expect him to tell me I was wrong and storm out. He never defended himself. He went as far as saying he was going to keep the girl in his life.

The saddest thing was how I had to tell him I might be carrying his child. His only response was that he had rights. I wish things could’ve been different.

The envelope he threw on the table has a red stamp on it that says, “Confidential.” I tossed it in my bag before I fled the restaurant.I’m sure the staff wondered where we went as both of us bolted from the dining room.

I liftmy head to see a shadow cross the street. The silhouette of a man is outlined against the porch light of my neighbor. He stops and stares at me for a few minutes before he turns and disappears. A chill runs down my spine. With my bag in my hand and my keys laced through my fingers, I’m ready if someone attacks. I exit the car and quickly make my way into the house.

The envelope slips from my bag as I toss everything onto the couch. I wanted to rip it open at the table. What could be so important that, in the middle of everything, he needed to give me this? I look at the red stamp on the front, and my head spins. This is what he was doing. He wasn’t cheating on me. He was trying to help me. I know what I’ll find before I even open the envelope. I slip my finger under the flap and tear the closure free.

My hands are visibly shaking as I pull the thick packet out of the envelope. The front page is blank except for the words,

Taylor Collins

Private Investigator

Case # 1531

Emma Lloyd

I turn the page and read the story of my life.

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