She forced a hard edge into her voice. “Now, Frederick, or I call the cops.”

He stared at her a moment as if pondering whether he should continue to argue, but finally he sighed and picked up the ring. “You’re wrong about this, Holly.”

“Goodbye, Frederick.” She didn’t know how he could continue to act like he’d done nothing wrong when she’d presented him with the evidence, but it was clear he was living in his own reality.

When he left, she shut her office door and sank down in her chair. So many emotions battled in her head. She was sad that it was over, that she wasn’t getting married after all, that she still wouldn’t be starting a family any time soon. She was angry that she’d fallen for his charm and pushed her friends away when they saw through it and tried to warn her. She was embarrassed that her friends had seen what she couldn’t and that she’d spent so much money she didn’t really have. That hadn’t been an exaggeration — most of her money was tied up in the business. But mostly, she was afraid. She was afraid that she would never find love and never get the chance to be a mother like Merribeth. Holly never talked about it, but it was what she wanted more than anything.

The tears finally broke through the dam she’d constructed and she let them fall. Her shoulders shook and her stomach clenched on itself, but she didn’t try to stop it. She just let the emotions out, and when the tears were gone, she did the only thing she knew to do. She picked up the phone and called her best friend.

“Merribeth? Can I come over?”

Tags: Lorana Hoopes Romance
Source: readsnovelonline.net