Page 119 of A Lie so Dangerous and Fragile

“She’s fine.”

“Then, I’m hanging up.”

“Please wait,” I said sharply. “Can I see you today? We need to talk.”

“If it has nothing to do with Chloe, forget it.”

“I know you hate me, but please, just for a few minutes.”

She was silent, and I was waiting for her to hang up on me.

“Fine, but don’t count on me coming. Send me the address.” She sighed and hung up before I could say anything else.

I laughed softly and texted her the address where we should meet.

I had an important board meeting this morning. I was still trying to make up for all the damage I’d caused after leaving Adrian to take care of the company alone for three years.

I sent a text to Chloe, asking for the address to her father’s house. When I got to the office, I made my PA put a reminder on my schedule for the day. I was afraid I might miss something.

“Ready?” Adrian smirked at me as we ran into each other on our way to the conference room.

The board of directors had all been grumpy lately for the loss I’d caused the company, but they weren’t taking it out on me. They were taking it out on Adrian. They’d always opposed my decision to keep him here. It would take my last breath before I let them kick him out of the company.

“I came prepared,” I said with a lopsided smile.

I would need an aspirin after today.

***

I was waiting for Belvina in the restaurant I’d texted her to meet me at. I’d been here for ten minutes, and there was no sign of her. I checked my phone to see if she’d replied to any of the texts I’d sent a few minutes ago, but I’d gotten nothing.

A small frame fell into the seat in front of me as I reached for my glass of water. Belvina looked lost as she scanned the grand restaurant. She looked like a fairy in her pastel lavender sundress and long curls she held back with a silk scarf. It hid the deadliness underneath.

“I thought we were meeting in a small café, not a luxury restaurant. I should have worn something suitable,” she sighed.

“You look great. Thanks for coming.”

“Isn’t this a little too expensive for a five-minute conversation?”

“I also wanted to treat you to lunch,” I said, picking up the menu.

“Hmm.” She pinned me with her hazel eyes. “I guess I could spare you an hour,” she said, placing her phone down and relaxing in her seat.

“How have you been? Chloe told me you’re back in the apartment.”

“Don’t act like you care. You’re trying to get on my good side because you’re trying everything to win Chloe back.”

And I’d thought Chloe was the most direct person I’d ever met.

“Yeah,” I admitted with a suppressed smile. “But I also wanted to apologize for everything that had happened. You have every right to hate me.”

“Your apology is not going to make what you and your family did suddenly disappear. Chloe might act like everything is better now, but deep down, there is still a part of her healing from what happened. Look, I’m not trying to be the villain, but I’ll be straight up with you because this involves my best friend and her happiness.”

“I’ll spend my whole life making up for what I did.”

“But will it ever be enough? You destroyed her, drove her nuts. She was forced to make some awful decisions, and I hate you for it.” A look of distaste washed over her face as she leaned closer to the table. “She deserves better, Tristan. If I could fly her to a new planet and make her forget everything, I’d do it in a heartbeat. But she’s happy with you, which I hate to admit.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I have seen the look of pure delight and contentment when she talks about you and the kids. I don’t know how anyone moves on from that, but she’s built different. I hope you love her so deeply and appreciate her every day, so she forgets every pain we all caused her.”

“I plan to, with every breath in my body.”

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