“Because you both need to realise the truth. I was a player. Hell, I’ve fucked around for years, I’m the first to admit it. But as soon as I met Charlotte I stopped immediately. I don’t want anybody else. I have no secrets and Charlotte knows everything about me. I haven’t lied to her once, and if I knew about Stephanie, I would have told her. Do you honestly think I would want her to go through this? For Christ’s sake, I don’t even speak to my own fucking father because he’s an adulterous prick.”
They both watch me as they listen.
“I’ve never even been in a relationship before Charlotte because of this exact reason. I couldn’t be a two-faced liar. It’s not who I am.”
Edward rolls his eyes.
“You know what fucking pisses me off the most about this?” I say.
“What?” Harold sighs.
“If you had just given me the time of day back when we met instead of treating me like dirty Stephanie or whatever her fucking name is, you would have seen the truth. You would have known how I feel about Charlotte.”
Harold raises his chin.
“I’ve done nothing wrong.” I hold my hands up in front of me. “I promise you, and you know I haven’t. You probably have people watching me, hoping to catch me out.”
Edward rolls his lips, and I know that I’m right.
“My poor Charlotte is on her own on the other side of the world with a broken heart, and you two haven’t supported her at all. You’re all so fucking poisoned by that bitch that you’ve taken her sins out on me instead. But it’s Charlotte who has taken the brunt of this.”
“What a mess.” Harold exhales heavily. “Please, Spencer, tell us where she is.”
“Not until you bring William to me.” I stare at them and I open my front door. “Now, please leave.”
“You’re kicking us out?” Edward gasps.
“Yeah, I’m kicking you out. You’ve kept Charlotte from me when I’ve wanted to try and explain. I’m sick of your power trip shit.”
Harold shakes his head as he walks towards the door. “William will be here soon.”
“Good.”
Edward’s eyes hold mine, and for the first time ever I see empathy in them. “She won’t be able to take you back after this. You have no idea how much she hates Penelope.”
I clench my jaw and nod. That’s my biggest fear. “I know.” I sigh sadly. “I understand why. I’m not sure I could if I were her.”
With one last look, they both turn and leave. A wave of new sadness overwhelms me. That interaction with them seemed so final, and it felt like they knew it, too… like I’ll never see them again.
Maybe I won’t.
* * *
It’s dusk when I hear a knock at my door. I close my eyes in regret. William.
I’ll never forget the look on his face that night, the pure devastation. I felt sick about it for weeks, and what made it worse was that she kept calling me, wanting to meet up. She had absolutely no remorse.
I put myself in his shoes now and imagine how it would feel if I walked in and saw another man having sex with Charlotte.
I couldn’t cope. I would completely lose my shit.
I open the door and his face comes into view. He’s tall and good looking, similar looking to Edward but with a softer edge and more refined. I don’t remember much about that night, but I remember his face. How could I ever forget it?
“Spencer,” he says flatly.
He doesn’t want to be here either, it’s obvious.
“Hi.” I hold out my hand. “Please, come in.”