My muscles tensed, my pulse throbbing up my neck into my skull.
Anger.
Regret.
Disgust.
I gripped her chin. “Lottie…”
I can see it in her eyes. She thinks there’s hope for us still.
It’s not fair to her. Keeping her on the line like this. Keeping hope in her chest for a flower that’s already withered.
Fuck.
If she knew what I’d done.
I wasn’t trapped in this marriage, Lottie was trapped with me.
“You deserve so much better than this,” I said.
“She’s fucking my brother, you know?” Lottie sat up, throwing the sheets off us with her. “That’s what they’re doing. How long are you going to pine after someone like that? She’s a gold digger, Grayson. She ruined us and she’s ruining my family. What does she have that I don’t?” she pleaded. “What does she do? You can do whatever you want to me. You can slap me. I’ll do whatever you want.”
Je
sus.
Lottie. Pure. Sweet. Kind. Lottie.
I’m ruining her.
I dragged a hand down the side of my face.
I’m ruining them both.
Sticky silence spread. She pushed her tongue into the side of her mouth, looking away, as disdain darkened her eyes.
“Lottie, what kind of marriage would we have if this is how we had to do things?”
Her eyes met mine, and I thought she might speak truthfully with me, but then she blinked and became calm.
“I’m never going to stop fighting for you, for this, for us. I love you…and I have fate on my side.”
Fate.
Fucking fate.
I stood off the bed. I told myself I would be a good husband. I would love my wife. She’s beautiful. Her silky rose lingerie complimented her hazelnut skin, shining even in the shadow—soft, flawless skin that I’m sure only accepted the most expensive product. Her curves are somehow both supple and toned.
Lottie is the definition of beautiful. She’s a goddess.
But she’s not Snitch.
“You love her now,” she said, “but will you in five years? You loved me once, Grayson, and I think you can love me again. You just haven’t given this a chance. A real chance.” She took a step toward me, placing her palm on my cheek. “I want to take away that pain in your heart. I did once. If you’ll let me, I can do it again.”
Something inside me fucking snapped as my wife pressed her palm to my cheek. I gripped her hand, tearing it from my flesh, but I held on to her wrist.
“She’s not going to choose you,” Lottie whispered. “She’ll never choose you, Grayson. She chose my brother. It’s over between you. It’s finished.”