Page 182 of Hidden Ties

“You think lying to me about Livvy is funny?” If he weren’t driving, she would have smacked him.

Creed’s expression grew serious. “No, me lying isn’t funny, but sometimes, it’s a necessity.”

“You didn’t have to lie to me about Livvy. Men date around; I get that.”

“I didn’t lie about dating Livvy. That was the truth. You didn’t ask me the right question.”

She was astounded by his reasoning.

“I didn’t think it was possible for me to feel sorry for her. You used her and wouldn’t take her on a date? Wow,” she said snidely. “How’d you get away with that?”

“Sage, I don’t want to hurt you more than I already have, so how about we drop the subject?”

Recklessly, she wanted the opposite—to poke at him until he was bleeding internally like the wounds he had inflicted on her with his deceptions. He was wrong; she did want him to hurt her more, so each time she wavered about how much she hated him, there would be something new to remind her not to be taken in again.

Before she could goad him further, however, Creed made a turn on the road. She had never driven through this area of Kansas City before.

Huge homes dotted the perfectly landscaped yards. They had to sit on at least two acres, giving each a sense of privacy with trees expertly spaced apart to keep the homes from being in the same line of sight.

“You bought a home here?”

“I did. In the general area. Ours is farther down.”

“Ours?”

“Of course, did you forget we’re married?”

She swallowed hard. “How could I forget?” Morosely, the beautiful neighborhood no longer held her interest.

The day she had taken Creed the sandwich, she had imagined where they would live if he’d asked her to marry him. By the time she had reached his office, she had built a fantasy world where they were married, had four children, and two dogs. Then, within seconds of standing at his door, her fantasy world had burst. The humiliation she felt at being such an easy mark was just as hard to forgive herself for as it was to forgive Creed.

He took another left, and the road led to a two-gated entry with a guard between. Creed pulled up next to the booth. Reaching into his suit jacket, he removed his wallet and slid his ID out to give to the guard.

“Nice to see you today, Mr. Bryant. All moved in?” The guard placed a scanner over Creed’s license then handed it back.

“Almost. We’ll be moving my wife and her family in tomorrow. Pete, this my wife, Sage.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

“Nice to meet you, Pete.”

“Thank you.” Pete nodded at her respectfully. Then, reaching inside the booth, he pushed the button to open the gate.

“I do have two deliveries coming tomorrow after twelve,” Creed informed him.

“I’ll make a note of it, sir. Best wishes on your marriage. Good afternoon.”

When they drove through the gate, she noticed the homes on the other side were even larger, with more distance between them.

Her interest was piqued when Creed swung his SUV into a driveway attached to a tan and black home. She had to lean back yet still couldn’t see the whole house.

Without waiting for Creed, she jumped out of the car.

Her first burst of excitement faded when she took a couple of steps back to get a full view of the house.

“You don’t like it?” he asked somberly, seeing her expression.

“I love it.”

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