Page 5 of Fury

His eyes narrow. “What are you gettin’ at?”

“Doesn’t take common sense to figure out how to dress a small child.”

“Careful, miss, I don’t like bein’ spoke at.”

I cross my arms now, too. “And I don’t like my students coming in with no socks, hungry, and not feeling safe.”

“I told you,” he grinds out, “I haven’t had kids around before.”

“Then you need to find someone who has and get them to help.”

His face lightens. “You’re right.”

I’m shocked. “Yes, of course I am.”

“You can bring her to me after school every day, help her with her homework. Appreciate it.”

With that, he turns and begins walking out.

“I beg your pardon!” I call, waving a hand. “I didn’t mean me. I can’t. It would be against the rules.”

He glances at me over his shoulder. “Lucky I don’t like rules. Later, golden eyes.”

He did not.

Seriously?

Oh my god.

He must be joking?

He’s joking, right?

Right?

Why do I have a feeling that he, indeed, was not?

“YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND,” I cry, my voice shaking as I stare at her, tears running down my cheeks. “How could you do this to me?”

Her eyes move to Ethan, then back to me. There is no emotion in her gaze; gone are the years of friendship, instead replaced by lies and betrayal. She’s looking at him like he hung the moon and everything I’ve ever told her about him is a lie. “I love him,” she tells me, shrugging.

Shrugging. Like it’s nothing.

“He’s my husband!” I screech, taking a step toward her.

We’re at a lookout, where she told me to meet her. We have this spot where we climb down a little and there is a massive flat rock. We throw a picnic blanket out and look out over the trees and cliffs as we eat. It’s a favorite of ours—it has been for a long time. It didn’t seem unusual that she would ask me to meet her here. Ethan, too.

She said she would pick up Ethan on the way and that we’d all have a picnic. I thought nothing of it. I happily got into my car and met them. For a time, everything seemed normal. We climbed down, spread out our picnic rug, stood at the edge, and looked out over the gorgeous mountains, as if nothing was wrong. We had a chat about work, and even drank some wine.

Then, out of nowhere, she decided to break the news and tell me that she and my husband, Ethan, are leaving together. That they’re in love. Within a mere second, she completely crushed my world. I didn’t see it coming. She had the nerve to bring me here and act as though what she’s telling me shouldn’t change too much. They’ll let me keep the house, she said. Even the car if I want. Oh, how damn kind of her.

“Enough,” Ethan orders, as Ella takes a step closer to the edge. It isn’t exactly the safest location; after all, we’re just on a rock with no barriers to stop us from falling. Ethan’s hand is outstretched, ready to catch her, like the hero he is.

She has no idea.

None.

“I’m sorry,” Ella tells me, her voice lacking actual empathy. “It just happened. I didn’t mean to hurt you ...”

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