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But what would I even say? I don't know where Michele is holding me. I have no information that could help them find me.
"Leave it to Raf to be hung up on one woman for his entire life," he chuckles, leaning back and regarding me with a dangerous glint, and a much too smug expression.
What are you planning, Michele?
And why would he need confirmation about Lucero? She's dead. That means this was for my benefit alone to get me to lower my guard, maybe devolve into a round of hysterics at knowing that Raf loves another.
"See, I didn't lie," I give him a fake smile, imbuing my voice with enough confidence so he doesn't realize how rattled I am on the inside.
"Indeed. And how does that make you feel, Noelle? Hearing from his friend's mouth that he never got over her? That you were only a replacement?"
"I guess it would piss me off," I tell him sincerely, "if I already didn't know it," I flash him a brilliant smile.
"My, my, aren't you a little too cheeky?”
"Not at all. But that's what you wanted to achieve with this, isn't it? Make me feel insignificant in Raf's eyes? Well, a little too late."
"He still cares about you," he notes.
"Maybe. But does he care enough? Isn't that what you're trying to figure out now?"
He purses his lips, his gaze darkening as it rests on me.
"Maybe he just loves to fuck me," I shrug, taking a seat on the floor and pretending to be unbothered. "You know, I was his first," I add casually. "I'm sure it's the novelty and all that."
"Really?" he drawls severely. "And this doesn't faze you? If I remember correctly, last time you were singing heavenly praises to yourdearhusband. What changed?"
"Michele, you're not very good with women, are you?"
He frowns, a twitch in his jaw announcing I'm heading into dangerous territory.
"What kind of woman appreciates when the man fucking her calls her by another's name?" I arch a brow. "I certainly don't, and I don't know any who would."
"You're a peculiar woman, Noelle," he narrows his eyes at me.
"No, I'm not." I state. "I'mjusta woman."
And a potential murderer.
"Good try," he suddenly says, his lips spreading into a wide grin. "Ialmostbelieved you."
I don't get to blink and he's already out of the door, the lock clicking into place.
I'm alone again, and resting my head against the cold wall, I finally exhale in relief. Lifting my hands up, I stare at the trembling limbs, my entire body shaking uncontrollably.
It took everything in me to pretend I was ok even as my heart was further breaking in my chest. Hearing Panchito's words—someone who's known Raf for years—messed something inside me.
This was what Michele wanted all along, wasn't it? To make me crumble, one word at a time. And I certainly am. What he said is completely right—Raf is the type of man to be hung up on a woman his entire life. Heisthe type to hold his first love above all else.
Where does that leave me?
Nowhere.
Absolutely nowhere.
I would be a replacement, as they both shrewdly noted. But I would never be anything more. And no matter how much I love him—and I do love him enough for the both of us—I don't think I could remain by his side knowing all that.
I want all, or nothing.
