Page 35 of Mercy Lake

I knew it was the end of our comfortable bubble.No more running.

“Yes.”

The gardens were beautiful and expansive, which helped with privacy as we couldn’t see anyone nearby.

My rib cage stuttered as my mind went spinning.I don’t know if I can do this.

Then, his voice cut in. “Breathe,Lex. I will answer anything you ask, and I will be truthful. There is no rush. We can even do this another time. Whatever you want.”

Listening, I inhaled deeply, regaining composure. I was the one who requested the meeting, the one who asked to rehash our old shit. I knew if I left without getting answers, I’d be pissed at myself, so I plunged over the edge and asked.

“How long were you having an affair?”

“It was once. Only with her, and only ever once.”

“Was it premeditated? Were you always interested in her?”

“No, to both.”

“Did you… Did you do it in our house?”

“No.”

“Were you going to leave me for her?”

“No.”

“Did you love her?”

“Never.”Hmm. That one had a bit of bite to it.

I was surprised by his answers. For so long, I had warped so many scenarios in my head that in the end I told myself he must have loved her to implode our marriage. He must have wanted her for a long time to betray me like he did.

Though, with his simple replies, he had just blown those makeshift assumptions to pieces. I was so thoroughly poisoned by my own pain I couldn’t even see the truth anymore. And that was what he was offering me—the truth.

“Can you… Can you start from the beginning?” I asked, staring up at him.

He didn’t look at me, instead gazing off into the distance.

“That day you asked me to help her. I didn’t want to go. You remember?” I spared a nod. “I reluctantly went, and thought it would take a couple of hours tops, but the dresser was a fucking flatpack and took forever to assemble. By the time I was finished, it was already night.

“I didn’t know Everly well. I only knew her as your friend. Before then, I had never been alone with her—ever. But duringthe day, we talked, hung out and got along well. I remember being surprised at how pleasant her company was.”

I interrupted. I couldn’t help it. “Pleasant as in a sexual attraction?”

“Not at all.” I gave him a glare, but he didn’t backtrack. “I was not sexually attracted to her, but there were signs I chose to ignore.”

“Signs?”

“She was hitting on me all day. Subtle touches here, a few compliments there. Now that I think back on it, she was quite blatant.”

“So you fell victim to her advances?” I huffed. Could he feel the fumes permeating from my skin? ’Cause I sure felt like I was on fire.

He went to reach for me as if out of habit until he caught himself.Smart move.

“No. I actually ignored them or excused them away with some bullshit reasoning or other. So, when she offered dinner, I said yes. And when she passed me a full glass of wine, I said yes again.”

“Oh, god.”

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