"You don't seriously believe he intentionally killed her, do you?" I push back. I can't believe that they've spent most of our time together, pointing their fingers at Hunter over an accident that happened more than a decade ago.
"What do you know about it?" Christina takes a long drink from her wine glass and my eyes settle on her massive engagement ring.
I pull in a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. "I know that Coral died in a tragic car accident. An accident." I say the last word slowly as if I'm hoping she'll magically comprehend the meaning of it.
"If he had been paying attention that night, Coral would be here," Faye's voice cracks. "He killed her."
I bite my lip trying to temper my emotions. It's as if these two women are stuck on the side of the road next to the smoldering remnants of Hunter's car. They haven't moved past that point in time emotionally. Why did Hunter tell me Faye was amazing? She's amazingly cruel; maybe that’s what he meant.
"It was an accident," I repeat.
"You're saying that to make yourself feel better. That's your guilt talking." The calmness in Christina's voice is jarring.
"My guilt?" I raise my brows. "What guilt?"
"The guilt you have to live with every day." She pulls in a heavy breath. "The guilt of knowing that my beautiful sister died and that you're alive because of that."
"I don't have any guilt," I say defensively. "It was an accident. Accidents happen."
Hunter shifts in his seat so his leg is pressing harder into mine now. I'm finding strength in his touch even though I can't bring myself to look at him.
"You should feel guilty every time you take a breath," Faye seethes as she points her finger at me. "My baby is dead. You should be dead and not her."
I feel as though my lungs collapse at the contempt in her words. I can't speak. I look down at my lap.
"That's disgusting." Hunter's voice carries over my head. "Don't talk to her like that."
"Why not?" Christina spits back. "You're just as guilty as her. You killed my sister and she stole her heart away."
"Shut up," he bites out. "Shut the hell up."
"Don't you dare tell me to shut up," she snaps harshly.
"You two are getting married?" I push my hands against the table to make room so I can rise out of my chair. Why is Hunter marrying this bitch? Why would he choose to build a life with her? She's so vindictive and cruel.
"What kind of question is that?" Christina pulls herself to her feet. "You don't know anything about us."
"I know you're all stuck in the past." I sigh as I grab my purse. "I'd say it was lovely to see you but that would be a lie. I'll take care of Coral's heart. Which..." I lean down so my face is mere inches from Faye's. "Is my heart now."
I stare down at Hunter's face silently before I turn and walk away.
Chapter 10
"That sounds like a circus." Alexa's voice has been the comfort I craved since I got back to my hotel room. I called her to check the train schedule to see if there was any way I could escape the hell that was Manhattan tonight but I was going to have to tough it out until the morning. No good seemed to come from my being in New York.
"It was surreal." I realize it's an understatement but there are no words to describe the sheer hell that I endured at Axel.
A soft knock at the door invades the quiet solace of the room.
"I have to go. My dinner is here." I perch the phone between my shoulder and my ear as I reach for the white plush robe in the closet. I'd pulled all my clothes off the moment I got back in the room before jumping in the shower. Unfortunately, the hot water had done little to wash away the bitter taste of my time with Coral's mom and sister.
"Weren't you just out for dinner?" Alexa's smile carries through in her words.
"Bitter resentment steals my appetite away." I laugh. "I'll call you before bed."
The knock is more persistent now and I pull the towel off my head and shake my hair out before I swing open the door.
My breath stalls. Hunter is standing in the doorway. One arm is leaning casually against the door frame while his hand stops in mid-air just about to knock again.