She glared back at me, fire in her eyes. Her lips pressed together as she watched me.
“We haven’t been intimate in nearly a year,” I confessed, dropping my gaze. “Every time I tried to talk to Lila, she lost her shit with me. Told me I didn’t understand. I wanted to, but she just kept pushing me away.”
“Boo-fucking-hoo,” Vanessa snapped, but Enzo shot her a sharp look, and she slammed her lips together again.
“I missed her. I missed my wife even when she was right next to me. She looked through me. Ignored me most days.”
Enzo glanced at me, and I addressed the elephant in the room.
“I met Cami one night while out with my work buddies.”
“Did she know you were married?” Vanessa demanded, her fingers tapping on her arm. She was losing patience.
“Yeah.” I sighed.
“Whore. Home-wrecking fuckingwhore,” Vanessa spat as Enzo held his arm out to keep her back from me. “And you’re a fucking piece of shit!”
“Do you want to know what happened?” I snapped, glaring at her. “I know you’re pissed, but I’m yourbrother.”
“No. You’re nothing to me now.” Vanessa pinned me with a look of disgust. “I can’t wait for her to divorce your sorry ass.”
I swallowed, knowing she was speaking in anger, but still. It fucking hurt. I loved my sister.
“Vanessa,” Enzo warned, but she shook her head.
“Lila is mybest friend, Enzo. We’ve been tight since we were six years old. I was there for her when her piece of shit dad left, and now I’ve got to be there for her because my brother screwed someone else and ruined her life.”
Fair point.
“I’m sorry,” I said, rising to my feet. “But I wasn’t happy. Neither was she. I just… handled it wrong.”
Vanessa stared at me, her eyes filling with tears. “You broke her heart, Victor. You ripped it out and fucking stomped on it. She’ll never get over this, and you’ll never get her back. I hope you know that. She’sdonewith you.”
Then she turned on her heel and walked out, the glass door shuddering in its frame behind her.
My body felt numb. I watched Enzo follow her out to her car, and I slumped back onto the couch, the cushions soft behind me.
I handled it wrong.What an understatement.
But it was the truth—if I could turn back time, I’d beg Lila to see a therapist with me. I’d never have gone out that night, the night I met Cami, and allowed temptation and attention to take me away from my wife, the only woman I’ve ever loved.
I’m such a fucking fool.
Cami hadn’t stopped texting me, reminding me how I wasn’t happy and that this was probably for the best.
What did she know?
Did she expect me to move in with her and marry her?
Fuck no.
But I had to saysomethingto her. It’s been over a week since this all kicked off, and I’ve ignored her like it’s all her fault when it was actually mine. She sent Lila that fucking video—I couldn’t forgive her for that. Not ever. Seeing Lila in such pain, on her knees on the soft cream carpet in our bedroom…
I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath, forcing the image from my head.
Then I texted Cami.
Victor: I don’t want to see you again. What happened between us was a mistake. I love my wife, I just forgot how much. You’ve done enough damage, so just keep away from both of us. Please.
