Page 9 of He Doesn't Deserve You

“Certainly,” the man took the key off the counter and asked, “What is your room number?”

“4101.”

The man typed the room number into his computer, then looked up with a frown. “Was everything satisfactory with your stay? You still have another night left on your reservation. I’m afraid I can’t offer you a refund.”

“Yes, everything was fine,” Emily responded. “I have an emergency and have to leave.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll get you checked out right away,” the man said, returning his attention to the computer.

At that moment, Emily couldn’t believe her eyes. The elevator doors slid open, and Travis—the man from the bar stepped out.

“You!” Emily shouted, grabbing Travis’ attention. She charged across the lobby toward him, and he immediately bolted, sprinting away.

“Stop that man!” Emily yelled, pointing at Travis

Before she could reach him, Travis slipped through the revolving doors and disappeared from the hotel. As she arrived at the doors, an elderly couple stepped in, making it impossible for Emily to get through without shoving them aside. She could only watch helplessly through the glass as Travis sprinted away. When she finally managed to get outside, he was nowhere in sight.

“Did you see where that man went?” Emily asked the doorman, her breath coming in short gasps as she struggled with the lingering effects of the drugs.

“What man?” the doorman asked.

“The man in the blue shirt,” Emily said, showing her frustration. “He just ran out of here.”

“Oh, he caught a cab. Would you like a cab too?”

Emily gazed down the street, where a sea of yellow cabs flowed steadily up and down the avenue, and she sighed.

“Yes, I just need to get my luggage,” she turned and returned to the hotel.

“Is everything okay?” the man at the counter asked curiously as Emily returned for her luggage.

“Everything’s fine,” Emily replied, grabbing the handle of her suitcase and rolling it toward the exit.

5

An hour later, Emily paid the driver, stepped out of the cab, and approached a house. Before she could knock, the door swung open.

“You look like hell,” Roman remarked, eyeing her up and down.

“Thanks, it’s good to see you too,” Emily replied, stepping into the house.

Noticing her luggage, Roman asked, “How long are you staying?”

“I’m not staying. It’s a long story,” Emily replied. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air. Leaving her luggage by the door, she headed straight to the kitchen to pour herself a cup.

Following her into the kitchen, Roman sat at the table and silently observed Emily as she poured herself a mug of coffee. It wasn’t just her disheveled appearance that concerned him; he also noticed the slight tremble in her hands and the sluggishness in her movements. He chose not to mention it; instead, wait patiently for her to join him at the table and explain why she was there.

She started from the beginning. “I think Gabriel is having an affair,” she said, then took a sip of her coffee.

Roman’s eyes widened, his eyebrows shooting up. “You left him?” he asked.

“No. Not yet, anyway.”

“Are you sure he’s cheating on you? You said you think he is.”

“Yes.” Emily went on to explain about the credit card.

When she finished explaining, Roman asked, “What do you want me to do? Do you need me to dig up dirt on Gabriel?”

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