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“After two weeks apart during a demanding growth spurt, I flew in without telling her, to surprise her.”
“I gather, she surprised you.”
“Big time.” I shake my head, as the disturbing visual flashes in front of my eyes. “I exited JFK Airport at four a.m., jumped in a chauffeured car, and made my way home to be with my wife. It was close to five a.m. when I arrived at the apartment.” I gnaw on my bottom lip before biting it. Reliving that moment in my life shouldn’t stir up this much anger. Not after so many years. “The moment I opened the door, I got hit with undeniable hints something was amiss—shoes that weren’t mine, men and women clothing littering the floor, an overnight duffle bag that wasn’t mine, and an expensive vintage Rolex watch on the coffee table I recognized. When I walked into our bedroom, two bodies were in my bed.”
Sofia stares at me, mouth agape, shock stamped on every inch of her beautiful face.
I rake a hand through my hair. “Sibyl and Liam were intertwined.”
“That’s horrible. You must have lost it.”
“I was in shock. For a minute, I thought of beating up Liam or better yet, choking him in his sleep—”
“But you didn’t?”
“I wouldn’t be wearing head to toe black. I’d be wearing orange.”
“Good point.”
“Sibyl hit the gym in our building religiously at five-thirty a.m., rain or shine. I only had fifteen minutes to wait—the longest fifteen minutes of my life. I sat in a chair in the corner of the room and watched them sleep.”
“Goodness gracious, your wife must’ve freaked out when she saw you.”
“My brother woke up first. When Sibyl rolled over to embrace him, she noticed me, and screamed. My brother jumped out of bed. The two of them glared at me as if I was in the wrong.”
“That’s such a betrayal.”
“The worst kind.”
“Did it turn into a shouting match?”
“They launched into a bullshit story. I lifted a hand to shut them up. I got up, and as I was heading towards the door, I informed my wife to expect divorce papers. I told my brother how much he disgusted me and I also made it clear we no longer had a relationship. Then, I walked out.”
“Are they still together?"
“They got married right after our divorce was final because she was pregnant. They have three kids.”
“How do you know Sibyl’s first kid isn’t yours?”
“I requested a paternity test.”
She nods. “You’ve never… met...”
“No,” I shake my head. “I’ve never met their kids.”
“Oof. That’s heavy,” she says. “Not that what they did to you isn’t fucked up…” Her word trail. “It’s just the kids are innocent.”
“They are, but they’ll always be a reminder my brother stabbed me in the back.”
“I appreciate what you’re doing for me, but I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position.”
“Scums like Brad deserve what’s coming to them. I’m willing to swallow my pride to make sure the motherfucker stands trial. Liam has the power and connections to pull the necessary strings to make Brad Hyler pay for his sins.”
“But—”
I cup her face and kiss her with tenderness. “There’s nothing more important for me than to help you get your life back, salvage your reputation, and get back the money this lowlife stole from people who trusted him.”
Chapter 41
