Page 68 of Fake for 7 days

What was she talking about?

"I'm so happy," she squealed and clapped her hands. I almost expected her to start spinning in circles. But thankfully, that wasn't the case. I eyed Abigail suspiciously. Outbursts of joy were rare for her and never boded well. The last time she had been happy in my presence was when it was announced that there had been a production error with the birth control pill she was taking, making it less effective than intended. That memory sent chills down my spine. If I had brought children into the world with this woman! Unthinkable!

I shuddered.

I had to put a stop to Abigail's outburst of joy immediately. Who knows what direction this conversation might take otherwise.

"You're glad I got engaged?" I asked, frowning. Then I smiled. "That, in turn, makes me happy, Abigail. I thought it wouldn't bother you. It's been a while since we broke up, and each of us has the right to find new happiness. I hope you find someone who makes you happy, just as is now the case for me. I'm happier than I've ever been and than I ever thought possible."

That's true, Carter. That's really true. You just said it, but it's true. With Isabella, you're happier than you've ever been.

What did that mean?

I furrowed my brow and pushed the thought aside for now. I'd deal with that later. Now I had to deal with Abigail first. That had never been as easy as one might think, even in the past.

Abigail looked at me with big round eyes. With those pale blue eyes that lacked any real expression. And which were now filling with water. On top of that, her lower lip began to tremble dangerously.

"Wwww.... What?" she blurted out, barely suppressing a sob. "Happier than with me?"

I sighed.

Abigail pulled a tissue from her oversized, slightly worn handbag and blew her nose loudly. Afterwards, she unfolded the tissue and examined the result of her efforts. I shuddered. Had she done that when we were still together? Probably not. I would certainly remember that.

"Dad told me you want to reconsider everything."

I looked at her questioningly.

"You know, about us. Carter, I was so happy. We're such a great couple. Everyone who knew us says so."

I frowned. "Abigail, who really knew us? Your parents. My parents. Parents always think their children have a great partner and make a great couple with the other person. Those aren't objective statements."

"Why do you always have to be so cruel?"

"That's not cruel, it's the truth."

"I had hoped you'd give up your womanizing ways over time. I tried so hard to train you back then. I tolerated all your escapades. And as thanks for that..." Abigail broke off the sentence and pulled another tissue from her ugly handbag. Thankfully, an unused one.

I stood up. Until now, I had been sitting in my chair, listening to Abigail more or less bored. But now that was over.

"You haven't changed a bit!" I looked at Abigail emphatically and slightly furrowed my brows. Abigail blew her nose again. This time, thankfully, she put the tissue away without looking into it.

"What do you mean? It's good if I stay the way I am." Abigail looked at me with big eyes. "If I had changed, I wouldn't be the woman you wanted so badly that you were willing to anger your brother for it."

"Don't change the subject now! Even back then, you saw affairs and cheating everywhere. It was really unbearable!"

I certainly wasn't someone who let a good opportunity pass by. But only when I wasn't in a committed relationship. I had my principles and I stuck to them. That's why I had never cheated on Abigail, no matter how much she got on my nerves. The fact that I had made a date with another woman half an hour after our breakup was something else and didn't contradict my principles at all.

"Now you're lying through your teeth again!" Abigail stared at me indignantly. "I collected evidence of your infidelity back then."

"What evidence? You ambushed me when I wanted to go to the movies with three old classmates and their wives and accused me of arranging a group sex meetup!" This accusation had been the straw that broke the camel's back. I had broken up with Abigail that very evening.

"You didn't take me with you!" Abigail sounded like a little child.

"Because I wanted to have some peace from your constant nagging for once!"

"Don't... don't be so mean." Abigail's voice trembled again.

I sighed deeply. Should I just throw Abigail out?

---