Page 16 of This I Promise

Hurt washes over me and my eyes well with tears.

“Wait, Abby. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

I laugh bitterly, because the damage is done. “Just… go home, Evan. I need some time to think.” Home. Notmyhome.Hishome. Somewhere I don’t want to be right now.

“I swear I didn’t mean it. Just let me?—”

“I’ll call for a ride when I’m ready to come back to your place. I just need some space.” I swallow around the huge lump forming in my throat.

“Where are you going?” His hazel eyes plead for forgiveness, but I’m not ready to give it.

“I’m going to the café.” I indicate the coffee shop across the street with a lift of my chin. It’s quiet over there at this time of day. I can mull things over with a steaming mug of hot tea. “Go home, Evan,” I call over my shoulder as I walk toward the back of the store to clock out.

Reluctantly, he leaves, and it’s stupid that I’m hurt by that. After all, he’s doing what I told him to do. That doesn’t change the fact that I hate seeing him go.

The fragrant scentsof ground coffee beans and freshly-baked pastries fill my nose as I walk inside the café and order a large Earl Grey with a splash of cream. I carry my hot tea over to a cozy booth by the window as my mind whirls with everything that just happened within the last hour.

Pregnancy brain is real, but no matter what’s going on in my head, one thing that’s for certain is that I’mnotgoing backto Davis. I’ve seen that dark side of him twice now, and I don’t like that at all. Besides, Evan is right. The man can’t be trusted, and I’d be pathetic to let him come back. He does have rights to his daughter, though, so I should at least talk to him about her, right?

Evan would be such a better dad. He’s patient and kind and protective. Despite his harsh words earlier, he’s someone I know I can trust, no matter what. I just don’t know what he wants from me.

Why couldn’t he have knocked me up? Everything would be so much easier if he had.

I stare out the window for a solid ten minutes, warming my hands around my mug, but forgetting to drink my tea while I’m consumed with warring thoughts. Until a woman slides into the booth across from me, smiling as if she knows me, even though I’ve never seen her before.

“Um… Can I help you?”

“My name is Lucy. Lucy Klein.”

Klein. Klein. I repeat the name in my head. It sounds so familiar but I can’t seem to place it. Until…Oh, shit!

I stare at the stranger in disbelief. “You’re…”

“Davis’s wife. Yes, that’d be me.”

I’m astonished, too astonished to speak, as my gaze roams over her face and takes in her appearance. She’s sophisticated and elegant, with long chestnut hair and flawless alabaster skin. Her body is taut and fit, with feminine curves in all the right places. Her expertly-applied makeup is understated, enhancing her natural beauty, and her clothes are bespoke and scream of high-end luxury. This woman is class and grace, so why in the hell would a man like Davis ever cheat on her?

“I can see the questions in your eyes.” She smiles, clasping her slender hands on top of the table.

Does she have any idea who I am?

I’m mortified, having never considered the possibility of meeting her.

She crosses her legs and straightens her spine. “I know all about Davis. I’ve known for years.” My eyes widen and she snickers. “He’s not as clever as he thinks.”

I tilt my head. “But why?—”

“Money. The simple answer is money.”

“I don’t understand,” I admit, slouching in my seat.

“And I hope for your sake, you never have to. I know who you are, Abby, and I have no intention of hurting you.”

Well, that never crossed my mind, but it certainly has me on edge now.

“There are… stipulations to our marriage, and I have measures in place to protect myself. I play the part of clueless wife well, but I assure you I’m not stupid. I know everything. And I hate to break it to you, but you aren’t the first.”

“Oh, God. I’m not?” I feel awful for her and can’t fathom why she’d stay with a lying, cheating asshole like Davis.

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