Page 72 of Confusing Cade
“Yes, and since I wrote it, I’ve dug deeper into what I suspected.” He hesitated, and I could almost hear the weight of his words settling into place. “It’s critical, Bella. More serious than I realized.”
As he spoke, I traveled into the living room, then sank onto my sofa, the cushions swallowing me as my pulse quickened. “How serious?”
“Serious enough that I don’t want to do this over the phone. I need to tell you in person. Will you come to the office?”
I stiffened, the memory of our last encounter flashing like a warning sign. “The last time I came to your office, Cade, you tore into me. You accused me of trying to sabotage everything you’ve built. Your career, your reputation. You didn’t even give me a chance to explain. It was cruel, and it was completely unfair.”You called me a whore, and I’ve never felt so humiliated.
“It was.” His admission came quickly, raw and unpolished. I pictured him in his sleek office, the ocean glittering beyond his window, his tailored suit a stark contrast to the vulnerability in his voice. “I was wrong. I let my fear and my pride cloud everything. I hurt you, and I’ve regretted it every day since. I owe you an apology and more than that, I owe you the truth.”
“You do.”
“It’s not something I want to do over the phone,” Cade’s voice softened, raw and desperate. “Please,” he said, each word a plea pulling at my heart. “If not the office, then how about... our bench? Will you meet me there?”
Our bench.
I gripped the phone, its edges biting my palm, anchoring me against the longing threatening to drown me.How can I trust him again?My pulse pounded, torn between his sincerity and the walls I’d built. That bench was where I’d felt safe, seen, but his betrayal had shattered that. My throat tightened, tears threatening as I remembered his cold eyes in his office, accusing me of sabotage I didn’t commit.But even so, I’m still in love with him.The truth cut deepest, a wound that wouldn’t heal.
“Cade, I don’t know.” My whispered, choked words betrayed my hurt. “You can’t just say you’re sorry and expect me to drop everything. You broke something between us that day. Trust doesn’t stitch itself back together because you’ve had a change of heart.”
I wanted to run to him, to believe we could rebuild, but the pain screamed for caution. I needed to stay grounded.I can’t let him break me again.
“I don’t think I should meet you there,” I said.
“It’s true that I don’t deserve your trust, not after what I did. But this isn’t only about me or my mistakes.” His voice cracked, and the sound sent a deep pang through me. “I’m begging you, Bella. Give me a chance to explain, to show you I’m not that man anymore.”
I stood and paced the room as my thoughts churned. The part of me that remembered the Cade I’d once trusted wanted to believe him. But the part that had been burned, that still carried the weight of his words, screamed for caution. “Why can’t you tell me now? Why does it have to be in person?”
“Because you deserve to see the evidence for yourself. And because I need you to see that I mean every word of this apology.” He paused, and I could hear the faint creak of his chair, as if he were leaning forward, willing me to agree. “Please. One meeting.”
I stopped pacing, staring out my window at the quiet street below. My heart thudded, caught between fear and curiosity, between the past and the possibility of answers. “I still need time to think about it. You don’t get to call the shots this time, Cade.”
“Fair enough,” he replied. “Take the time you need.”
I didn’t respond, letting the line go silent before hanging up. My hand lingered on the phone, his words echoing in my mind. Part of me wanted to stay far away, to keep the distance I’d fought so hard to maintain. But another part, the part that still burned with questions, knew I’d always end up at his office.
If only to hear him out.
After a restless hour of pacing and second-guessing, I picked up my phone again. My fingers hovered over the screen before typing a simple text:I'm coming over now. You’re right, we need to talk.I hit send, my pulse racing as the message delivered. There was no turning back.
Minutes later, his reply buzzed through.I'll be waiting.I grabbed my keys, the decision settling over me like a fragile peace. Whatever he had to say, I was ready to face it.
And him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
