Page 109 of One Last Time
“What about the people who knew from your past? I’m not the only person that knows!” I grasp at straws, but that’s all that I can reachfor.
“You think I didn’t consider that? Why would they risk losing everything now? My team handled all of that when I entered this business. And how would they suddenly know your name, Kristin? How would they have your email and send it to your boss? Explain any ofthat!”
“I know what it looks like, but please,” I plead. “Please, give me a few days to figure out what is goingon.”
“Save your energy. I’ll be gone bytonight.”
My muscles go still, and I feel faint. He can’t leave like this. There’s an answer somewhere, and I need time to find it. I reach for him, but he pulls back, and my heart drops. A man, who last night couldn’t keep his hands off me, will no longer let me nearhim.
“I’m begging you. Please, give me a minute to figure out what is goingon.”
Noah’s bright green eyes go hard as he stares me down. “I was leavinganyway.”
The smugness in his voice shakes me. He never said anything aboutleaving.
“Leaving?”
“I’m going to France. I got a role, and I was due there in a few days. Looks like you just made it a lot easier. Thanks forthat.”
So, he’s been lying to me? Making me fall in love and planning to walkaway?
“You promised you weren’t going anywhere!” I cryout.
He lets out a sarcastic laugh. “And you promised me I was the whole damn thing. Looks like we bothlied.”
“Noah, don’t dothis. . .”
Piece by piece, our relationship crumbles aroundme.
“Don’t.” He turns with his jaw clenched. “Don’t make me the bad guy here. Because right now, I’m doing everything I can not to hurt you. I’m holding back everything I’m feeling because watching you cry is killing me. That’s what love is, Kris. I’m willing to have my heart ripped from my fucking chest”—Noah pounds his fist over his heart—“because hurting you makes me sick. I love you. I loveyoudespite the fact thatyoudid this to us. I’m not the one who is doing a goddamn thing, sweetheart. This is all on you.” He shakes his head and storms from thebedroom.
I stand with nothing but a sheet wrapped around me and fall to my knees. My heart pounds against my chest as the tears fall relentlessly. “I swear, I love you,” I whisper to noone.
How can this behappening?
How was it not even five hours ago we were making love, and now we’rethrough?
I hear the front door slam, and I flinch. He can’t leave me. I won’t let him. I get to my feet and rush to the living room, but he’s not here. “Noah!” I call out for him, but he’sgone.
My already crippled heart has taken its final blow and will neverrecover.
Each breath is a struggle, but I make it to the bedroom, gasping for air. Losing him is too much. If he’d just come back, we could figure this out. There’s an explanation somewhere, but he’s given up on me. My teeth chatter, echoing through the empty room as I get myselfdressed.
I grab the framed picture of us at the aquarium from his side of the bed and loseit.
Noah has his sunglasses on, I’m behind him with my head over his shoulder, Aubrey is in his arms, and Finn is jumping in front with his mouth open. How can he think this is even possible? How I feel is clear as day in the image. I love him. I let him meet my children. Why would I ever dothis?
Maybe he needs time. He’ll see this isn’t real. He hasto.
I wipe my tears and try to stop them from falling. It hurts somuch.
Gathering my belongings, I do everything I can to force myself to get it together. I go over every detail of the last few days, and I can’t think of anything that was out of place. I sent the email from my home, verified that Erica got it, and then I’ve been withNoah.
I dropped the kids off at Scott’s while Noah waited at my house. Then, we came to his place, had the most intense sex of my life, ate, had more sex, and then everythingimploded.
The condo feels cold, all the warmth and love we shared hours ago has evaporated. I look at the note on the counter, and the tearsreturn.
I wantyou gone by the time I get back. Here’s money for a cab. I thought losing Tanya hurt, but it’s nothing compared to the damage you’ve causedme.
