Page 166 of Trust Me

“Tell her how you feel.” My mom says it as if it’s that easy.

“I’ve tried. She won’t listen.”

“Then make her listen. And show her. Not with bullshit flowers,” my father continues. “Show her by giving her what she really wants.”

“I’ve given you my truth but you’ve never given me yours.”

Her words come spiraling back to me like a ninety-mile-an-hour fastball to the forehead.

I’ll show my wife my truth.

CHAPTER41

Riley

Today’s the day. The day Kyle meets with the board and the CEO to become declared the permanent COO at Townsend Industries.

And the last day of our marriage.

I’ve tried to prepare my heart for this. I’ve known all along that our marriage wouldn’t go past this date. It’s too bad that I can’t make myself stop loving him automatically.

It’s bad enough I haven’t seen Kyle in days. He left a voicemail for me days ago when I wouldn’t answer his call, saying he would be gone on business for a few days. I didn’t bother asking what it’s about.

Yet, each night he sends me a voice message. Each message starts off with a declaration of love for me and Eve. Then he goes into some story about this or that. The first message he told me about how he felt as a kid being bullied by an older boy because he had trouble reading. He mentioned that though his father taught him not to be ashamed, it took years for him to fully get past the embarrassment.

“It still sticks with me sometimes.”Those were the words that finished his story.

That night I received another flower delivery accompanied by a massive box of Haribo gummy bears.

I hate to admit that I ate them while relistening to his message.

The second night, his story started off silly as he talked about hating that his birthday falls on April Fools’ Day. Then it turned serious when he mentioned the attack on his mother that led to his and his sister’s premature birth.

Another delivery.

Last night’s message wasn’t a story about his past. In it he confessed to how nervous he is to accept the role as COO. How he fears not living up to his family’s expectations.

That was the one that made me cry while I ate the grilled cheese and tomato soup he had delivered for dinner.

I don’t know what he thinks he’s doing with these messages. I want to tell him to stop but I also look forward to receiving them each day.

“Riley?” A knock on the door from Adam Bachleda startles me. His expression is drawn as if something heavy weighs on him.

This is my last day here at the Townsend Industries offices and I expect to walk out with a heaviness in my heart but at least partially relieved. Despite our crumbling relationship, Kyle deserves to be made COO on a permanent basis. I want that for him.

But something on Adam’s face gives me pause.

“There’s a problem,” he says.

I stand as he enters the office I’ve been using since I started consulting with the company.

“Due to all that’s come to light from the press conference a few weeks ago, it’s also come with the realization that you may have breached the terms of the nondisclosure agreement you signed when you became a consultant at Townsend Industries.”

I blink in surprise. That is the last thing I expected to hear come out of his mouth. I try to think of how to respond, but he beats me to the punch when he adds …

“Moreover, since Kyle didn’t immediately report you to the board or the proper authorities, it’s not looking good for his promotion.”

I take a deep breath as I try to process all that he’s saying. Not much of my role in what happened with Ryan Nick via Dean Walsh made it to the public. I have a feeling Kyle has something to do with that. However, what Adam’s saying is that he and the board are willing to use what I did against Kyle.

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