Page 233 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“I feel sorry for you, Clara.”
She balks and takes a step back. “Why wouldyoufeel sorry for me? I have a perfect life. I have a wonderful family and friends, and more money than I could ever need—”
“And no one to share it with.”
She chuckles a menacing laugh. “Says the lady who can’t name one family member. Who do you put down as your emergency contact? Your cat? The homeless man sleeping on the corner?” She shifts her glare to Hugo. “Or maybe a man who only associates with you because he’spaidto do it?”
The air is forcefully evicted from my body. Even for someone who has no morals, that was a blow below the belt.
“I may not have any family members, but at least I don’t have to force the man I love to interact with me.”
“Unless you failed to get the memo,sweetheart…” She spits out a term of endearment as if it is vomit. “… you can’t force Isaac to do anything against his wishes. He was with me because he wanted to be with me.”
“Bullshit!” I retort loudly. “You caught him during a moment of weakness, and you exploited it to your advantage, because, in all honesty, you knew that would be youroneandonlychance ofeverbeing with him.” I take a step closer to her, fighting with all my might to keep our altercation verbal. “I hope it was worth it, Clara, as he’ll never look at you in the same manner now. He’ll always see you as the woman who once again forced his hand by strong-arming him into doing something heneverwanted to do.”
For the first time, Clara’s cool, calm composure cracks, but it doesn’t stop me from unleashing the tirade I’ve wanted to relinquish the past two weeks. “So, yes, I feel sorry for you, Clara. I’m sorry you feel so unworthy, you can’t find a man who loves you as much as youbelieveyou love Isaac. I’m sorry you aren’t strong enough to realize you’re waging a war you’llneverwin. And I’m sorry you don’t understand that he willneverlook at you the way he looks at me.”
Tears well in her eyes, but I don’t back down. “I can’t say I don’t understand your fascination. Isaac iscaptivating, so if you’re happy to settle for half a man, keep chugging along, try every underhanded tactic you can find, then maybe, one day, he might look at you as more than a friend, but remember, you’ll only ever get half a man, never the full one you deserve.”
With that, I dash out of the elevator as quickly as my shaking legs can take me. The doorman taps the brim of his hat in greeting when he sees me coming before opening the door. My nostrils sting from the cold air forcefully pumping through them when I dart through them. I increase my pace to a brisk jog before weaving between the heavy foot traffic clogging the sidewalks in Ravenshoe.
Hugo catches up with me halfway down the street. He wraps his arm around my shoulders and squeezes the bejeebus out of me. “Yes, Izzy, yes!” Excitement that I finally stood up for myself is seen all over his face.
His squeeze is so tight, it forces the first tear to vacate my tear-filled eyes. I quickly brush it away before breaking into a sprint. By the time I make it up the grueling St Thomas Street hill, I’m utterly exhausted. Not just physically. Emotionally as well. Mercifully, the sweat sliding from my sweat-drenched hair should conceal the tears sitting high on my cheeks.
When I hunch over to suck in some much-needed breaths, Hugo rests his arms on top of his head. “Fuck, Izzy. If we run like that every day for a month, I’m going to die.”
I chuckle at the actuality in his tone. After many big breaths, I straighten my spine before cranking my neck to Hugo. My body is aching, but it also appreciates the adrenaline pumping through my veins. For the first time in weeks, I feel alive.
When Hugo’s eyes collide with mine, his mouth forms into an ‘O.’ Obviously, my sweat isn’t concealing my tears as initially hoped.He stares at me, seemingly wanting to speak but unable to get his mouth to release his words.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.” I can’t even decipher a reason for my tears, so what chance would Hugo have?
Hugo follows me down the hill. “Forgive him, Izzy. Then you can move past this.”
“It isn’t that easy, Hugo.”Even though I wish it were.
He grabs my forearm, stopping my sluggish steps. “Yes, it is. You already doubt that he slept with Clara, but instead of trusting your intuition, you’re basing your conclusion on the words of a vindictive bitch who’s been trying to sink her claws into him for years.”
“Even if nothing happened that night, he should have never put himself in that position to begin with. He should have known she’d exploit him.”
“He’s known her family for years, Izzy. Her brother is his best friend. If he has to double-guess everyone who comes into his life, he’ll live one very lonely life.” Hugo moves closer to me as his remorse-filled eyes shoot between mine. “Hewasliving a very lonely life until you arrived.”
My heart squeezes. I love Isaac. I love him more than I’ve ever loved anyone, but I don’t know how to move past this.
“Forgive him,” Hugo pleads like he can hear my silent thoughts.
“I can’t.”
He looks at me like I’m an imbecile. “Why? Why can’t you?”
“Because then I’ll be no better than her.” I thrust my hand to the stream of cars gliding past us.
Hugo peers down at me in confusion. “Who?”
My nose tingles when moisture rushes into my eyes.
“Who?” Hugo asks again, more forceful this time.
