Page 16 of The Lake House

“Night, chicka.”

“Night, Liv.”

I walk over to the gate, open it, and exit out through the yard. I take the few hundred steps it takes for me to get to my house and head on inside.

* * *

Idon’t even bother spending a second downstairs. I go straight to my bedroom on the top floor. As I climb the steps, I text Liv that I made it home… safely. She sends back an emoji, the one winking with its tongue sticking out and responds that she can finally go to bed now, not having to worry about me on my way home. I laugh and send her back a gif of a cartoon rolling its eyes, because if she were in front of me right now, that’s exactly what I would be doing.

Once I reach my room, I place my phone on the bed and then strip my clothes off my body. I hop into bed with only my bra and panties on. I usually sleep with at least a T-shirt on, but tonight, I’m too tired to go looking for one. I just want to relax in bed.

I pick up my phone and then plop down onto my bed. As I spread my arms out, my phone rings. Without even looking at the screen, I already know who it is.

“Liv, seriously? Go to sleep. I made it home just fine.”

“Liv, huh? So you’re back in Silver Mist? God, I hate that place so much. But I’m glad to hear you made it back safely, sweetheart.”

My breath catches in my throat and I can’t believe my ears. What the fuck is he doing calling me now, after all this time?

“Todd?” I swallow hard.

“Hi, baby. Miss me?”

I want to scream no, but then again, I don’t want to act like a bitch. Maybe he’s calling because he misses me… calling me sweetheart and baby? I mean, what is up with that?

“Todd, why are you calling me?”

“Aww, because I miss my wife.”

His wife?I hadn’t been his wife in so long… we’d gotten divorced. I wonder if he’s drunk.

“Todd, have you been drinking again?”

He gasps. “Giules, baby? Really? No, I haven’t been drinking. My goodness, sweetheart. Can’t a husband miss his wife?”

“Of course he can. But you’re not my husband anymore, and I’m not your wife. So, are you high, then?”

He laughs, and the sound brings back a hundred thousand painful memories that I had spent so long trying to forget. “Giuliana, why don’t you let me come up there? I miss you.”

“Todd, you just admitted to hating Silver Mist. Granted, I always knew that deep down inside, but now that you’ve said it, thank you. And you sure as hell don’t miss me.”

“Oh, stop. Of course, I do. You’re my wife. Now let me come up there tomorrow and see you. Or come here and see me. I’ve got my own place in Morrison.”

Morrison, huh? That’s close to where his office used to be. Makes sense that he would move there.

Shaking my head, I ask, “Where’s Christy or Megan or Donna or Janet? Aren’t they comforting you anymore? Lord knows I never could. You never wanted me, anyway. I’m hanging up now. Please don’t call again. Good-bye, Todd.”

I click the button hanging up the call before he has a chance to say anything more. What the fuck was that about? I flip around and throw the covers over my head. I’d better try to get some sleep and forget he just called me.

I close my eyes but quickly open them as a new text message appears on my screen. It’s Todd again.

You may be able to hang up on me and try to keep me away, sweetheart, but I’ll always find my way back to you. This isn’t over. Sleep well, my princess.

I need to either change my number or block his.

ChapterSeven

DECLAN

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