During the entire plane ride home, I try to call David, but he refuses to answer, sending me to voicemail or letting the phone ring every single time. Hours later, we land, and there’s a car waiting for us. I try to tell Camden we should take separate vehicles so I can go straight to David’s, but he insists on going with me.
When we pull up to the building David lives in, I turn toward him. “I appreciate you getting me here so quickly, and I get why you wanted to come with me because you’re worried about what he’ll do, but I don’t think you should come in with me. It’ll only rile him up and—”
“I get it,” he assures me. “I’ll be right here, waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” I plant a chaste kiss on his lips.
“I need you to do something for me before you go.”
“What?”
He pulls his phone out and dials, and a second later, my phone is ringing. “Answer it.”
I do as he says, confused, and his face shows up since it’s a video call.
“Keep the phone in your pocket, so I can hear, just in case. I’m going to record the call… just in case.”
I nod once in understanding. I hope nothing bad happens, but I love that Camden is looking out for me.
After walking up to David’s complex, I press the number of his apartment to be buzzed in. Since he’s on the first floor, I find his number quickly and knock. A few seconds later, the door opens, and with a look that could kill, David widens the opening, silently telling me to come in. My stomach drops at his cold demeanor, and I’m glad Camden can hear everything going on.
“Where’s Felix?” I ask.
I’m glancing around at David’s new place since I’ve yet to see it, so I’m taken aback when he shoves me against the wall, caging me in.
“Where’s Felix? What the fuck do you care?” David hisses, slamming his palm against the wall. “I saw the pictures! You were in fucking LA with him! While your son was here, crying in pain, you were off with him!”
“David, you need to lower your voice and back up,” I say slowly, trying to calm him down. “It’s not what you think.” It kind of is, but I’m not about to say that.
“Then what is it?”
“I got a job working for Blackwood as a videographer.”
“You mean you got a job working for him! You’re such a fucking slut. You’ve probably been fucking all of them for years. Haven’t you?”
I knew him finding out I work for Blackwood would piss him off, which was why I hadn’t told him yet. But now I’m wishing I would’ve because somehow, a picture must’ve leaked, and he found out anyway.
“I’m not having sex with them. I was given an opportunity,” I explain calmly. “Now, please, before you do something you’re going to regret, back up.”
His eyes turn into thin slits, and a second later, his fingers wrap around my throat. The back of my head hits the wall hard, and I yelp out in pain. “The only opportunity that asshole is giving you is to suck his fucking dick!” He slaps me across the face and then squeezes my throat harder, making it difficult to suck in air. I claw at his arms, trying to get him to let go, but he ignores me.
“I would rather watch you take your last breath than to support you fucking that piece of shit.” He tightens his hold on me, and my vision turns blurry. I’m scared he’s actually going to kill me, and then the door swings open and in walks Camden.
“Get your hands off her!”
The shock of seeing him has David releasing me. “Fuck you!” he barks. “You always wanted my wife, didn’t you?” He stalks over to Camden and punches him in the face. Camden stumbles back slightly but quickly gets himself together, refusing to take the bait. David’s about to punch him again when Felix screams, “Mommy!” and runs down the hall and into my arms.
Camden glances at Felix, and David uses the moment to sucker punch him again.
“Stop it!” I yell.
“Get the fuck out of my house!” David barks at Camden.
“Mommy, my ear hurts,” Felix cries.
“I know, baby. Did Daddy give you medicine?”
He shakes his head.
“Why didn’t you give him medicine?”
“You’re raising this kid to be a damn brat. He wouldn’t stop crying all fucking night.”
“Because he’s in pain!” I hiss. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“It was late. I wasn’t running out with him in the middle of the night.”
“I’m done with you,” I say, knowing this conversation is pointless. I never should’ve left Felix with David. He’s a selfish asshole and has no idea how to parent.
“You’re not taking my son with that piece of shit!” David booms, trying to block me from leaving.