Page 159 of Nothing Without You
Adelaide was my wife, that wouldneverchange.
“I got rid of the contract after I realized my feelings for you.” Pitching ten tones lower, “I’ll be damned before I let you walk away again.”
A spark lit in her dull gaze. “You know it was never mewho walked out seven years ago and it’s not me walking out now. It’s you, Christian. You stand on the other side of the door and push me right back in—trapping us into this illusion thatIleft when really, I was in the same place I’ve always been. You’re the one who always leftus.”
FORTY-EIGHT
ADELAIDE
Two days later,I decided to solve this myself.
“We’ll talk about this next week when we have all the information for the project. Make sure you get Ms. Ozberk on the call too, see if she’d like to work with us.”
I had to continue staying at Christian’s place because if someone caught news of me sleeping at a hotel when we were barely married for two months, I’d mess this up.
Instead, I’d been doing my own research—scavenging for hidden files relating back to Eda. I didn’t want anyone’s help anymore.
Everyone had their secrets.
One of mine wasn’t going to end the world.
I texted Rowlen to talk soon because I had a plan, and it was going to work.
Ithadto work.
My obliviousness carried on for far too long and I wouldn’t let ignorance guide me. I was doing this for my parents, for Eunbin, and for myself. I didn’t have time to beuncomfortable or focus on the lows of the situation. How heartbroken I was or how much I wanted to take a plane and leave the country.
“I’ll do that right away,” Umaima shuffled in the seat across my desk. She’d been walking on eggshells around me. Which I understood because if she took one wrong step, I’d explode for absolutely no reason. “Have you talked to Christian?”
“Ms. Rasool,” I looked at her with indifference. “I ask that you don’t bring up personal matters during work hours.”
She visibly flinched. “I really didn’t know, Adelaide. I found out right before you did.”
I knew that.
I also knew how many times she tried to call me.
Which is what pissed me off, because if I picked up her call I would’ve known sooner. I would’ve woken up from my faux happiness quicker.
“Call Harry Samuels down to my office.” I ignored her by typing on my laptop. “Now, please.”
She stared for a beat longer before rising with a resigned sigh. “Yes, ma’am.”
Stop treating her like crap, that’s your best friend. The only person who’s on your side.
Before she could leave, I called for her.
Umaima took one look at me and gave me a comforting smile. “You don’t need to apologize, Addie. You’re my best friend and the shit they pulled would fuck anyone up. Don’t mistake my silence for anger. I’m giving you space because I can tell you need it.”
Choked up, “Thank you.”
Another comforting smile.
As soon as the door shut behind her, I shut the laptop and collapsed against the chair. An unexpected surge of lumps massed in my throat.
What am I doing?
Maybe it would be better to let the guys take care of this instead of doing it on my own.
