Page 16 of Enemies, Lovers & A Valentine's Baby

Now there’ll be many more opportunities to see—. I stop myself from going down that path.

Over the years, I’ve found myself wanting to talk to her, apologize for what happened before, but her frosty demeanor made it clear she still wanted nothing to do with me. I’ve even tried to get Greg and Sue to help me break the ice, but she’s made it clear to them they were not allowed to ever bring up my name to her. I can’t say I blame her.

To be honest, I’m glad she never found out. What man wants the world to know that he’d been cuckolded?

My shoulders stiffen at the thought. I should actually send Lydia a thank you card. I’m living the life I could’ve only ever dreamed of eight years ago, and none of it would’ve been possible, if it weren’t for what she did to me. She ended up marrying her boss, but karma’s a bitch, and two years later they were divorced because she found out he was sleeping with a few other women at the office too.

Unfortunately for her he also had a gambling problem and had to file for bankruptcy. Last I heard she took her son and moved back home to be with her family in Alabama.

I chuckle, the sound bouncing off the surfaces of the empty car.

Yes. Karma’s a bitch.

Once upon a time, I believed in love.

But now I know better.

Chapter 5

Fractured Trust

Lila

I stretch, stifling a yawn. It’s the third time I’ve yawned in the last ten minutes. I’ve been sitting in front of my computer for six hours now, working out the details of my latest project. It’s for an event I’m planning to hold next month.

Attention to detail is the key to a successful event. I’ve already started working on the 3D interior arrangement of the venue.

I’m a perfectionist, so I can’t afford any mistakes.

The one time I made a mistake, at Sue’s wedding eight years ago, almost cost me my career. It was the lowest point that I’ve ever gotten to in my life, and almost made me quit on life. I was just recovering from a breakup the year before, and those words had been like ripping into scar tissue.

I questioned everything about myself. Was I as good at this job like I’d been led to believe, or had I been fooling myself all along? Were people only going along with it because they liked me, not because I was talented? Was Sue only using me to plan her big day because she was my best friend?

My self-esteem was destroyed, and I spent years after that encounter fixing the damage that it had done to me—that HE had done to me.

Cole Matthews. My lips curl in disgust at the thought of him.

My best friend is married to his best friend, so it’s inevitable that I would have seen him a few times since the wedding.

I’d always find an excuse to duck out of sight and leave before we could run into each other. It’s not like he’s ever tried to apologize to me for that day. He’s probably so used to treating people like trash, I’d be surprised if he’s given it a second thought. For the ten millionth time, I wonder how someone as great as Greg could be so close to such an asshole.

He's gotten incredibly successful over the years. It’s hard to read any tabloid without seeing his latest conquest splashed on the headline. The most eligible bachelor everyone seems to want.

I feel the sudden urge to break something.

I could care less about his apology anyway, and yet, the more time that went by without me getting one, the more furious I became.

Sue and Greg tried multiple times to apologize for him, saying he was going through something, that this was not like him, but I never gave them the chance to explain. I made it clear I didn’t want them to ever bring up his name up again, and they haven’t.

I stand, proceeding to make my way into the kitchen to pour myself a drink from the fridge. The sound of my ringtone causes me to pause mid-step.

Sue’s name pops up on my screen.

I smile, instantly taking the call.

“How do you always—”

“Lila, Lila, I—” she sobs.

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