"Good." I grab my keys from the counter.
Devon catches my arm. "Let me come with you. Please. Don't face her alone."
I look at him—at the fear in his eyes, the desperate need to protect me. For weeks, I've doubted this man, his love, his honesty, and his commitment. But right now, at this moment, I see him clearly.
He's terrified. Not for himself—for me. I relent slightly.
"We’ll go together," I say. "But I'm the one who talks to her. Do you understand?"
Devon nods. His hand finds mine and squeezes. I let him.
Just then there’s a loud smash, and our car alarm goes off. I jump, my eyes wide as I stare at the door.
“What was that?”
Devon is moving already, ripping open the front door, the car keys already in his hand as he fumbles with them, trying to silence the noise.
“What the fuck?” I hear him utter, and I hurry behind him, peeking over his shoulder to see what he’s seeing.
My driver’s side window has been smashed, and the lights and alarm are going crazy. Devon hits the button on the keys again, and silence falls.
“Oh, my God…” I whisper as Devon strides to the end of our driveway, searching the street.
“Motherfuckers,” he curses, dragging a hand through his hair. “They’ve gone.”
I stare at the broken window, wondering who would want to do this to me. I mean, it’s not the worst neighborhood in the world—why would someone smash our window and leave? Nothing has ever happened here before.
“It’s okay, Jade.” Devon stands before me, rubbing my arm. “It’s probably kids. Go inside. I’ll secure the car the best I can and call someone to get it fixed.”
He sighs and stares back at the car, his brows knitting together.
I know what he’s thinking. Everything around us is shattering. Even the car.
Chapter Twenty-Four
JADE
We get the window fixed first thing in the morning, which sets us back more money than we have right now. But in the grand scheme of things, I don’t care.
It’s done now, one less broken thing to think about. If only our marriage could be repaired with money, I’d pay anything.
I arranged to meet Mila at a coffee shop—neutral ground, which was Devon's suggestion. He's waiting in the car across the street because I told him I needed to do this alone, and for once, he listened without arguing.
Mila is already seated when I walk in, her manicured fingers wrapped around an iced drink. She looks up when the door chimes, and her expression flickers—surprise, then something calculated that smooths into a smile.
I fucking know you, bitch.
"Jade." She gestures to the empty seat across from her. "I'm glad you came."
Fuck you.
I glare at her, and I wait for the old feelings to surface. Theinadequacy and shame. The urge to make myself be just like her and her perfect friends.
And they're there, lurking deep in my belly, but something else is here too, something pacing like a wild animal desperate to claw her fucking face off.
"This isn't a social visit," I reply, finally lowering myself into the chair. "You know why I'm here."
Mila's smile doesn't falter, but her eyes sharpen. "Devon told you."
