Page 120 of The Widower
“I need to hear the truth. All of it.”
The way she said it made me think she already knew something—but that was impossible.
“You need to? Don’t ruin what we have.”
“If you’re not honest with me, there won’t be an ‘us’ anymore.”
Her expression hardened, her tone changing completely. She was determined now, and I could see it.
“My past has nothing to do with you,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm.
“Then I guess your present with me doesn’t matter enough,” she shot back, firm and unwavering.
“I don’t have to—nor will I—have this conversation with you.”
I walked out of the kitchen, but inside, I wasn’t okay.
For the first time, her words had really gotten to me.
I wasn’t comfortable coming here. Not anymore.
Visiting someone who only brings back the worst memories makes no sense. Only a masochist would willingly relive a past that refuses to leave their mind.
And yet, here I am—waiting for Kurt.
The man who destroyed my dreams.
The man directly responsible for Maddison’s death... and, by consequence, Jeniffer’s.
“That’s never going to change,” he said, meeting my eyes.
“Was that a question?”
“No. A statement.”
I didn’t reply. I didn’t need to.
Satisfaction isn’t something I hand out freely—and certainly not to someone I despise with every fiber of my being.
“I’m sorry. I regret what I did.” He lowered his head.
“You say that because you’re tired of looking me in the eyes, knowing you destroyed my family. You don’t keep saying it out of guilt—you’re just tired of living with your own humiliation.”
“What do you want from me? I’m going to be here for the rest of my life!”
“You know... it took me a while to realize Jeniffer was cheating on me—with you,” I said, ignoring his question. “Thatwas my mistake. I introduced you two. Why would I ever suspect my best friend?”
“Colin—”
“Shut up!” I snapped. “You’re the embodiment of everything rotten in my life. You’re the reason I can’t trust anyone anymore.”
“I screwed up, and I own that.”
I laughed—bitterly. If it had been a simple mistake, maybe I could’ve understood.
Cheating is almost commonplace nowadays. Disgusting, yes, but part of human nature, it seems—to betray the trust of someone who loves you. I despise it, but my opinion won’t change a world already rotting at its core.
“How could I ever suspect Kurt O’Neal, my best friend? That would’ve been unthinkable. But fate made sure to connect the dots for me.”
