“If you don’t,” I hissed, barely holding it together, “I’ll leave.”
Victor swallowed, tears running down his cheeks. He looked like he was going to say something, but with one look from me, he nodded, rising slowly to his feet. He towered over me, hovering like I was going to change my mind.
“I love you so fucking much,” Victor choked out, but I scoffed, remembering the image of him andher.Yet, of course, he loved me! How could I question that?!
“It doesn’t matter when shetakes you so well, does it?” I spat, rising to my feet. I walked into the bathroom on shaky legs, refusing to look back at him.
“Lila,baby?—”
“Get the fuckout, Victor. Ineverwant to see you again.”
I didn’t. He could walk out of here and be hit by a truck, and I wouldn’t blink an eyelid. Nothing would ever be the same again now. Everything had changed, and I was supposed to snap to it and listen to his fucking apologies and reasoning?
Hell fucking no.
My husband had cheated on me and ruined my life.
2
VANESSA
Istared at my best friend, unable to believe what she was telling me. I’d driven straight to their house when she’d called me, and now I was stunned into silence.
I was sitting in their lounge, beautifully decorated by Lila in cream and gold, every surface shining and the smell of roses in the air. Lila loved roses, and every time I came over, she had a different fragrance, all rose related. The sunlight spilled in from the front window; a beautiful window seat that overlooked their driveway and the road beyond bathed in the glow. I’d always envied her life but also loved that she had it. She deserved it.
She didn’t fucking deserve this, though.
My stupid ass brother had cheated on her with some hoe namedCami, and I wanted to rip his spine out for being so stupid. He had the most beautiful, loving, and loyal woman as his wife, a woman who’d had her own childhood ripped apart by infidelity. When he’d married Lila, she’d become something she’d always felt like she was—my sister.
And he’d just broken her heart like it meant nothing.
Instead, I reached out and pulled Lila into my arms, rage burning through my chest. Of all the stupid things my brother had done in his life, this had to be the worst.
“I’ll kill him,” I muttered, stroking her silky black hair as she sobbed. “I’m so sorry, Lila. I don’t even know what to say.”
She said nothing in return, and I closed my eyes, trying to imagine how she was feeling. They’d been married for what, over twenty years? As far as I knew, he’d never been unfaithful to her before. Victor usually worshipped the ground Lila walked on. He was the best husband, always doting on her, spending all his free time with her—well, that was clearly bullshit, wasn’t it? Just another fucking act. Why can’t men be faithful?
My cheeks flamed. I wanted to drive to wherever he was and kick his ass, but my best friend needed me more than he did. However, I grabbed my phone and sent a text to Enzo, his lifelong best friend.
Vanessa: Victor has fucked someone else. Go see him before I do. Tell him I’m going to kill him.
Enzo replied instantly.
Enzo: What the fuck? Is Lila okay?
I loved this about Enzo, how he would ask how Lila was before anything else. He was one of the few men I had time for, not just because he was easy on the eye, but because he gave a shit. I left the phone on the coffee table, turning to rub Lila’s back, waiting for her sobs to subside before asking her anything.
She’d told me about the video. Who was this fucking hoe, and why was my brother throwing away his entire marriage over her? My stomach churned.
Is he in love with her?
Oh god.
Is he leaving Lila for this bitch?
“The things he said to her…” Lila said between hiccups. Her eyes were swollen, her hands trembling as she pushed her hair out of her way. “He said that shit tome, Ness.”
I stayed quiet, because
