Page 79 of Heart on Ice

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t. He made me sign a contract,” I tell her.

“He did what?” she screams. Hope that wasn’t breaking any clauses, shit.

“How long have they been messing around for?” she asks me.

“I don’t know, she wouldn’t tell me.”

“That fucking asshole. Does he seriously think that tramp is with him because of love?” She hisses. “You saw them at your wedding. What were they doing?”

“They were together in the garden,” I explain to her.

“Fucking?”

“Yes.”

“Fucking bastard,” she curses. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to yell at you, it’s just …”

“Sounds like you were blindsided,” I tell her.

“Finding out the same time as everyone else, yes, that’s pretty blindsided,” she says angrily.

“I wanted to tell you, Michelle, but I couldn’t. Not sure if now that it’s out in the open if I’m allowed to say something or not,” I tell her.

“Don’t you worry about that, sweetheart. That man will not do anything to you. I can’t believe they were screwing each other during your rehearsal party. I am so sorry, Pierre, he did that to you. That must have been devastating to find out,” she says.

“Honestly, Michelle, I was relieved. I should never have gone ahead with the wedding, but I felt trapped and was a coward and went along with it.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I had no idea.”

“I was only with Kitty for a couple of years, you were with Bill for decades. I’m sorry for you,” I tell her.

“You’re sweet, my love, but this isn’t the first time this man has cheated on me. But it is the first time he has been busted so publicly. Luckily, after the first time I caught him cheating, I got a post-nup that said I would get fifty-fifty of everything if he was ever caught in public cheating on me. He kept his affairs hidden for forty-plus years until her. He’s lost his damn mind.” I’m stunned silent. “None of the kids knew about our arrangement but they do now, and they are the ones pushing for me to divorce him. And I think I might. He can have his little plaything. Let’s be serious, she is only after the money.”

“He knows that. He gloated to me about it on the phone.”

“I bet he did. I’m sorry we had to lose you from the team, but I understand now why you left. Hope New York is going to treat you better.”

“I think it will,” I tell her as I reach out and link my hand with Issy’s.

“That’s good. You are a good guy, Pierre, and I wish you nothing but happiness. You deserve it. I hope one day you can fall in love again, and that little tramp hasn’t scared you for life because she is not worth it. Take it from this old woman who is now taking her own advice. There is someone out there who will love you right, and I hope one day I get to meet her,” Michelle says.

I lay a kiss on Issy’s hand. “I’ll let you know when it happens.”

“Good luck next season and don’t be a stranger,” she says before hanging up.

“Wow. That wasn’t at all where I thought the conversation was going. It started off rough, and then once she sort of got her anger out, she mellowed. I really feel for her. All those years married to that cheater,” Issy says, shaking her head.

“Maybe one day I’d like to introduce you to her. I think the two of you will get on well.” I smirk. Issy frowns before shaking off whatever she was thinking.

It has beenthe week from hell. Every single day Issy leaves for work, she is accosted by the media. They even follow me around Central Park when I go jogging with Sam and Felix. I can see the stress of the situation is getting to Issy, and she doesn’t deserve this.

“How was work?” I ask as Issy walks in, looking exhausted.

“How are they still standing outside a week later? Do they not have anything better to do?” she grumbles. I hold open my arms for her, and she walks into them and hugs me.

I kiss the top of her head. “Sit down, have some wine, while I plate dinner.” She does as I asked and sits down and poursus both a glass of wine. Dinner tonight is chili herb salmon and salad. I’m not sure how Issy is going to take my news, but I know it’s for the best. “Hey, um, I have something to tell you.” Issy stills and I can see the concern on her face. “I found an apartment.”

“Oh,” Issy says, sounding surprised.

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