Page 70 of Silver Fake

But he cuts me off.

"Were you even planning to say goodbye before you left me high and dry?" His eyes flash with anger. "Or were you just going disappear into the sunset on the top floor of the firm with Victor?"

Shit.

I've been so busy focused on Nancy these last few days that I completely forgot to follow up with HR about Victor's offer. They told me that the offer would remain confidential, but we have two very different ideas of what confidential means. I have no idea how John found out, but it doesn't matter.

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm. "I didn't tell you because it wasn't relevant at the time.”

His eyes nearly bug out of his head.

"Not relevant? You abandoning me is extremely relevant!"

John's words hit me like a punch to the gut. Abandoning him - is that what he thinks I'm doing?

"I'm notabandoningyou, John," I reply. "I was planning to tell you about the offer. But then Wyatt left, and your mom got sick, and it just never seemed like the right time. I thought we had bigger fish to fry."

John slowly sinks into one of the kitchen chairs, running his fingers through his hair and shaking his head. I walk up to him and gently place my hand on his shoulder, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric of his shirt.

"I promise, I was planning to turn down the offer this week," I continue, my voice trembling slightly. "I just got caught up with taking your mom to her appointments. I only spoke with HR about the job out of courtesy and to keep open lines of communication. I didn't mean to keep you in the dark. I just didn't want to stress you out when I hadn't fully made a decision yet."

John's eyes meet mine, his voice suddenly rising a full octave. "When you hadn't made adecisionyet?"

The look he gives me makes my stomach turn and I take a step back.

"John, I..."

But he cuts me off as he bellows. “What thefuckwas there to decide? Why would you even consider working for Victor in the first place?”

"I've said I'm sorry." I snap. "What more do you want from me?"

John glares at me. "I want an answer. Why would you even consider working for Victor?" he demands.

I take a deep breath, my nerves tying themselves in knots.

"Look, when Victor first approached me about the job, our relationship was new, and I was scared. You know how hard my divorce was on me. I was still trying to sort things out in my head. But then I realized I was in love with you and decided to turn him down."

John scoffs. "You really expect me to believe that?"

Pain shoots through my chest at the doubt in his voice.

But I can't let him see that.

Instead, I cross my arms defiantly across my chest and say, "Yes, John, Idoexpect you to believe that. And the fact that you don't just goes to show how little you think of me!"

My voice rings out, the anger simmering in my chest finally breaking free.

I'm beyond hurt right now.

I'm hurt that he would question my sincerity and integrity. And I'm hurt that he thinks I would abandon him at such a critical time, especially when I've been trying to be there for him and his family.

"How little I think ofyou?" John erupts. "You embarrassed me, Lisa! You slept in my bed every night, worked with me every day, and never fucking told me!"

His gaze is raw and unhinged as if all the pain he's been holding back has suddenly surfaced, his anguish laid bare for me to see.

"I already told you it wasn't like that!" I practically yell.

His eyes snap up to meet mine. "Did you know that Victor has known about our relationship this whole time?"

---