Page 47 of Love Sick

“Are you fucking serious? Of course I have. This is a waste of time.”

“Son…”

But Kyle has had enough, it seems.

He charges out of the room while Dominic sighs.

“I’m so sorry about Misha,” he says after a few awkward moments.

“Thank you. I don’t know if you heard, but I was committed, by Joy, in fact.”

“That doesn’t surprise me.”

His comment catches my attention. “Why do you say that?”

He peers over my shoulder before pushing off the desk and closes the door. “I’m not sure what Joy told you—”

I stop him before he can continue. “I don’t remember much. Electric shock therapy does that to you.”

His mouth drops open in horror. “That is beyond disgusting. How can I help?”

I’m not here to judge because we’ve all done things we’re not proud of. I know friend code should mean I should be mad at him for what he did to Joy, but I can’t help but think Joy isn’t innocent.

“Kyle told me you cheated on Joy and excuse me for being so blunt, but was there a reason why?”

Dominic runs a hand through his hair. “Joy has this ability to lure people in and make them feel sorry for her. Good people. I suppose it’s in our nature to want to help, but to someone like Joy, she exploited that kindness. I’ve not told anyone this before, but Kyle…he isn’t my son. This put a huge strain on our marriage.”

“What?”

“I can’t have children, so I know for a fact. But I got a paternity test to be sure. I stayed with Joy for as long as I could, but there comes a point in your life where you have to put yourself first. I fell in love with Sophie, contrary to how Joy may have portrayed it.

“No doubt I was the heartless bastard. But she was the one who cheated and got pregnant by another man while we were married. It doesn’t excuse my infidelities, but we were so out of love by then, strangers would be better acquainted than us.”

“Did she ever tell you who Kyle’s father was?”

“No, she always claimed I was. But science doesn’t lie.”

There’s something else he’s hiding. “Please, anything will help.”

Dominic appears torn whether to tell me or not. “Her relationship with Misha was…strange.”

“Strange how?”

“It went beyond that of a best friend looking after her friend’s child.”

My stomach suddenly drops. “What does that mean?”

“It means what you think it means. I would see them in town and I know Joy, she was interested in your son how a woman is when she wants a man.”

“Did I know?” I ask, horrified.

“I highly doubt that. If you did, I’m sure you and Joy would not be friends. Misha was your world, and you did everything for that boy. Joy was always very competitive with you, but with your lovely nature, you never saw it. You always saw the good in others. I am so sorry this has happened to you, Luna. If I can help, please let me know.”

And just like that, I realize that every story has two sides. I no doubt would have taken Joy’s side because she was my friend, but she had me committed and then left me there to rot. What sort of friend does that?

“Kyle doesn’t know the truth?”

Dominic shakes his head. “No, I would never do that to him. He will always be my son, regardless.”

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