Page 71 of Terms + Conditions
I should’ve known, I just wish she had let me come along. This isn’t the first time she’s gone to see Nate; she’s tried multiple times over the years, but he never wanted to meet with her. Refused, actually. It’s been a while since her last attempt, though. The last time I can think of was a few months before the wedding.
“He uh…he talked to me.”
I can physically feel my eyes widen and my jaw fall to the floor. “What did he say?”
Elizabeth swirls the red wine in her glass, her eyes filling with more tears, one of them slipping down her cheek and falling into the water with a quietplop. She sniffles.
“Sugar,” I say, wiping another tear that falls down her cheek. “What did he say?”
“I told him I forgive him.” She looks up to the ceiling, a tearful smile on her face.
That’s the reason she has continued to try to see him. She wanted Nate to know that despite it all, she still loved him and forgave him. Did I agree with it? No. Did I understand it? Certainly not. But I know that I’ll never be able to understand something I haven’t been through.
“And he told me he was sorry he didn’t finish the job.”
The words leave me stunned.
Sorry he didn’t finish the job.
Who the fuck says that? A psychopath, that’s who.
My heart aches for the woman in front of me. She covers her mouth when a sob escapes her lips, but more follow, and she’s no longer able to contain them. Without thinking, I just step into the tub and wrap myself around her. She has a death grip on myarms, holding on for dear life, and I pull her tighter against my chest as her sobs fill the space around us.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
NOW
THE FRONT DOOR OPENS and closes, followed by a chorus of heeled footsteps through the foyer, around the fireplace, and into the living room. Nina appears and she lookspissed. She steps in front of the TV, blocking the football game.
Nick called me earlier, saying Nina was supposed to be handling some DV Designs business late, he was on baby duty if I wanted to come over for Monday Night Football and steaks. After the weekend I’d just had, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be around anyone, but it was better than going home to an empty house.
Nina’s glare doesn’t waver, her eyes glued to me. “Are you fucking dense?”
When I glance at my cousin, he shakes his head, brows raised. “Don’t look at me.”
Shit.
“I cannot believe you!” Nina hisses, trying to keep her voice down. “I didn’t think either of you could do something dumber than you already have…But you did!”
“Nin, I—”
“What kind of sick game are you playing, Josh?”
“It’s not a game!”
“Then why in the hell did you go this weekend? Do you not understand how—”
“I had to, Nina.”
“You should’ve said no!” Her voice echoes through the house. Nick jumps to check the baby monitor, but Elena remains blissfully unaware, asleep in her crib. Nina pinches the bridge of her nose, trying to recenter herself.
“I couldn’t, Nina.” My head falls in my hands. “I didn’t have a choice.”
“There’salwaysa choice.”
“Dee,” Nick finally interrupts. “He’s telling the truth.”
“And what do you know about it?” Her words are sharp against her husband. “Oh…You knew.” When I look up, her fury has turned on her husband, but Nick doesn’t back down. “You knew he was going this weekend.”
