He nodded slowly, pulling off his own wedding band before carelessly throwing it to the ground. “You’re right. I’ll stop. By the way, you can have her, Beckham. No hard feelings. Not like I needed such a whore of a wife to keep me fucking happy.”
I choked back a sob at his words.
Beckham stepped closer. “She told you to stop.”
“I’m sure she told you tostopwhen you were fucking her into a brainless slut. Don’t think she meant it then, did she?”
My hands grew clammy as they stared one another down. Beckham was practically fuming at Gavin’s words, but I imagine he was remaining calm to make me feel better.
“Gavin. Now is not the time nor the place,” Beckham continued.
“You’re right. There’s no time or place for betrayal. It just happens, right?”
“I think you’d be the first to know about betrayal,” Beckham replied. Gavin fell silent. “Don’t you agree?” Beckham pressed further.
Gavin simply stared at him, annoyed, as Beckham still seemed unbothered.
It was almost as if their eyes held a secret conversation as Gavin’s jaw ticked in irritation. My eyebrows furrowed softly as Gavin looked away silently.What… what was going on?
Before I was able to ask, Beckham continued, “Now, walk away before you make things worse for yourself.” My heart fluttered as his hand slipped into mine as he stood in front of me protectively.
Wiping away my tears, I ignored Gavin’s gaze as a humorless chuckle escaped him. He walked past us smugly, but not before pausing beside me to whisper degradingly, “Just because you’ve found yourself a little boyfriend, Rosenna… doesn’t mean you’re not my wife. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”
And just like before, I was sure he believed I was going right back into his arms, apologizing and begging for his forgiveness like I always did to please him, even if he was the one in the wrong.But things were different now.
And as my husband left, his arrogant and boastful attitude still lingering in the air, I let out a soft breath, feeling relieved the confrontation was over.
Beckham turned, his eyes dangerously glaring at Gavin’s retreating frame.
Before he could grow any angrier, I placed a hand on the side of his face, making him look down at me. I let out a small smile as his eyes changed from anger to concern, and his thumb wiped away the tears that fell down my face.
Wordlessly, I pulled him closer as I wrapped my arms around his neck, shuddering softly as I held back a sob while I rested my chin on his shoulder.
You never really know loss until the marriage you’ve tried to salvage for more than five years goes down the drain with the man you once loved.
Though I shouldn’t think of it as a loss, because Beckham found me—we found each other. And as he pulled me closer, whispering sweet nothings into my ear, I knew I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.
Chapter forty
Brent
Five Years Ago
Walkingbackintothewedding reception, I greeted a few of the guys at their designated tables before taking a seat at the wedding party table.
Looking around the room, I took a small sip of my white wine as I watched Rosenna and Gavin greet the guests. The maid of honor took her seat beside me, and I had to pretend to listen to her speak as my eyes remained focused on thehappycouple.
I was the best man at my best friend’s wedding. It was a joyous occasion, one where we all celebrated the union of two soulmates who decided to spend the rest of their lives with one another through thick and thin,till death do they part.
I had no reason not to be congratulatory toward my friend. We were landing clients left and right at the firm, and for God’s sake, we just made partner after reviving it when Gavin’s parents passed the torch down to him.
Everything was going perfectly…
Well, that is what it had seemed like. Under the surface, there were a few more underlying issues. Some had to do with the way Gavin glanced at one of the bridesmaids as she walked past. Others had to do with Rosenna smiling gracefully as Gavin’s mother practically scolded her for a good portion of the wedding. Not to mention how her smile had faltered ever so slightly as her own father practically forced her off of his arm after walking her down the aisle.
Simply watching without acting was paining me, to say the least, but I couldn’t say anything. I could never say what I felt as a close observer. Even if I wanted to, it was too late.
There were moments that should be left unspoken. Thoughts that should remain buried. This was one of them.
