Page 139 of Brighter Together

Tommy’s jaw tightens.

“Ella.”

“He kept saying the firm needed the contract. That I owed them. That I’d already walked away from the family and this was the least I could do.”

Tommy turns away from me and paces towards the kitchen.

I watch him go.

Every step away feels like proof that I have ruined everything.

He comes back with a piece of kitchen roll and holds it towards me.

I take it.

My hands are shaking so badly it rustles between my fingers.

I wipe my face.

Tommy stands a few feet away.

“When did this start?”

“After you announced the tender.”

“So not before you came to work for me?”

“No.”

The answer comes immediately.

“No. Tommy, I didn’t even know about the expansion when I applied for the job.”

His shoulders lower slightly.

Not much.

But I see it.

“And our relationship?”

That question hurts more.

“What about it?”

“Did you get close to me because of the project?”

The hurt in his voice cuts straight through me.

“No,” I sob, shaking my head vigorously.

Tommy takes a deep breath. “Did he ever ask you to?” he asks quietly.

“Yes,” I whisper, tears streaming down my face. I hate myself so much in this moment.

Tommy closes his eyes briefly.

Panic rises in me.