Page 18 of Retribution

What are you thinking?

Allie is in hospital, barely alive. And here you are, flirting like a lovesick schoolboy.

This mad level of attraction is clearly because of the lack of female company over the past few months. Even before the divorce, the intimacy within our marriage has been long forgotten.

I’m drawn out of my subconscious by a sudden awkwardness between us.

“Hi, yes, I’m Willow’s father.” I quickly try to recover.

“Nice to meet you…” She blushes.

“Reed Breckenridge,” I reach out for a handshake, hoping to diffuse the building heat I am feeling from inside.

Taken aback by a loud presence from behind me, I watch as he surpasses me ignorantly, proceeding to kiss Indie multiple times.

Attention returns to me as Indie introduces me to the man, who is around three inches shorter than me, that rudely interrupted us. I use my usual formal introduction and shake hands with him.

“Your girlfriend is an extraordinary woman.” I smile.

“My fiancé is most definitely extraordinary.” Fiancé.

I thank Indie and remove myself from the situation before I give myself any other ideas. The last thing I need is to torture myself, wanting what I can’t have, yet.

I exit the building and slide into the driver side of my black Mercedes.

Now, is time to celebrate Willow’s achievements, before I must break the terrible news to her.

Chapter 6

Indie

It’s been a rough week. I’ve tried to keep preoccupied, trying to distract myself from the messages I discovered three nights ago.

I’ve avoided Scott as best as I can, leaving early and going to sleep early.

I can’t look at him.

The messages are engraved on my memory, making my stomach twist with knots as my heart aches.

I don’t cry. I’ve been through too much in my life to allow myself to give in to what I’m feeling.

Pulling myself off the couch, I walk into the kitchen to get myself a glass of water to sooth my dry mouth. Gulping down the full glass, I set it on the counter-top.

I press my hands against the solid marble as I stare off into the distance, confused as to how things have even gotten like this.

Scott is out, a ‘client meeting’.

Blinking a few times, I realize my gaze has settled upon the Mac computer. It’s almost as if a light bulb had gone off in my head.

Should I?

Surely, I’m only going to cause myself more pain.

I groan and squeeze the counter-top hard before pushing myself off, heading towards the desk in the dining space. I sit in the cold chair, giving myself a few minutes to think before I do something I may regret.

Fuck it.

Typing in the password we commonly share, the computer unlocks.

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