Page 121 of One Last Time
The door opens the rest of the way, revealing Jackson is standing right behind her. They both come inside, and Jackson doesn’t waste a second before asking, “Are you sure you want to know all ofthis?”
I look to Noah and then back to Jackson. “Not a doubt in mymind.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Kristin
I’m physically shaking.
My hands are trembling so bad that Noah has to drive. Nothing should surprise me anymore, but this seemsinsane.
We sit outside the address, staring at the red door belonging to the person who Jackson claims his people traced the senderto.
“Are you sure you want to dothis?”
“What choice do I have?” I ask, turning to look atNoah.
His eyes find mine, and he gives a sad smile. “We can move on. We can know what we know and be happy together. None of it changes how I feel about you.” He takes myhand.
I appreciate that he feels that way. God knows I was in no way prepared for the information Jackson gave me. It still doesn’t make sense. How did Scott even find out any of this? I’ve never breathed a word of Noah’s past. I thought the person behind everything was on Noah’s side, notmine.
Yet, here I sit, having to confront someone I loved. There’s no way I can let this go and pretend it didn’thappen.
“Noah, you flew to France because of this. You left me because someone hates us enough to do this. Someone used my name to publish that, and I’m not going to just sit back and let it slide. I want to know why. I want to knowhow. And I want to see his face when I tell him none of it matters because I have youanyway.”
He leans over the console and kisses me. “I want to know it, too, but I believe you when you say you didn’t tell anyone. I don’t need anything else. This can go in our past and staythere.”
“I appreciate that, but I need this. I’ve allowed him to control my life, to try to destroy me, and it ends now. I have to confront him and stand myground.”
I hope he understands what I’m asking. I’ve spent most of my life cowering, that isn’t happening ever again. If I were to sweep this under the rug, he would win. This time, the victory ismine.
His lips touch mine again. “I’ll follow your lead,sweetheart.”
“I loveyou.”
“I loveyou.”
Noah was incredible through the whole conversation. Jackson explained that we couldn’t use the information he obtained—illegally—for anything other than confronting Scott. We had to swear we’d never breathe a word about how he got it, which we don’t know the logistics anyway. All he said was he has someone in his office who is very good at getting things without a subpoena. So, really, this is for Noah and me . . . well,me.
“Let’s go.” I release a heavy sigh and exit thecar.
Noah meets me up front and takes my hand. We walk up the path while my stomach does flips. I’m not sure how I’m going to get through this, but I know I have to. I choke back the bile that rises as I ring thedoorbell.
The door opens, and there’s no turningback.
“Kristin?” Scott’s voice is full of confusion. “What are you doing here? You said you were sick, and I told you I’d bring the kids aroundsix.”
“I needed to talk to you, and it couldn’t wait.” I try to hold back the anger threatening to escape. “Are the kids still with yourparents?”
He takes a step outside, pulling the door closed behind him. “Yes, I told you they were twenty minutes ago,why?”
Scott looks to Noah with a scowl and then back to me. “Do you know what an IP address is?” Iask.
“Of course I do.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “I work for a technology company. I’m a little surprised you know what it is,though.”
Yes, the pathetic housewife who knows nothing learned a lot in a few months.Jackass.
I continue on with my questioning as if his comment didn’thappen.
