“About earlier—the whole fiasco with your masseuse and the yelling…” My faults were piled high. Recalling what I had done earlier made me blush from head to foot in embarrassment. “I apologize for that. That wasn’t what I had intended to do. But, the moment I stepped in here, my mind shut down, and my instincts took over. You’re right—it’s none of my business anymore.”
Pressing his lips together, he folded his arms before frowning deeply at me. “What was your intention, then, Lily?”
“Obviously not what you witnessed. But, after seeing her hand so high up your thighs…” I gave him a sharp look. “You’re not into prostitutes, are you? She wasn’t one of those women who give happy endings, right?” Why am I still discussing this with him? I shouldn’t care, but I couldn’t help it. I cared a whole lot. I gave a fucking damn about what he did. Only, I hadn’t realized how much until a few moments ago.
Fuck. The women he had dated flashed before my eyes, and I suddenly felt like—FUCK.
My eyes were as big as saucers as I made a frantic dash towards the bathroom and locked the door before retching my heart out.
The thought of him taking a woman in bed made me sick. How would I even deal with that since it was too late to stop the ugliness I had started? I didn’t want a divorce. I wasn’t sure why I wanted one to begin with, but after that day, everything had become so clear to me.
“Lily, is everything okay?” Drake gently knocked on the door, most likely listening to the sounds of me puking and crying at the same time.
How pathetic he must think I am.
He tried to shake the door handle, asking if I could let him in, but I didn’t want to move, not until I was done.
“Should I call a doctor? You don’t sound too good.” He was upset. I could easily tell whenever he was by his high-pitched tone.
“No doctors—just give me a moment. I should be fine. “It would have been great if I believed my lies.
“Okay. Well, I’m just going to be right here if you need anything. “
Why did he have to turn into a sweet man all of a sudden? Why couldn’t he simply remain aloof and apathetic? It made it much harder to convince myself I could be strong and brave this one out.
Ten, maybe fifteen, minutes later, I finally rose from the floor after hugging the toilet like it was my best friend.
It seemed my tears had subsided along with my heaving stomach. Emotionally drained, I felt the exhaustion start to creep up on me. After washing my hands, I almost released a sigh of relief when I found a mouthwash in one of the drawers. Holding myself together, I carried on with cleaning my mouth. Once done, I then shut off the faucet before my bright engagement and wedding ring flashed at me, catching my attention.
I threw it out in the sea that morning I decided to take the next flight out to come back here.
His words haunted me and would never be forgotten.
Finally emerging from the bathroom, I found Drake right outside the door, leaning against the wall with furrowed brows.
“I’m feeling so much better, “I shyly said, straining to smile. “You didn’t have to wait for me. I know you have to be somewhere, and you’re probably running late as it is.”
“You can’t expect me to leave when you sounded like you were dying in there.” His worried expression remained unchanged. “Why don’t you take a seat, breathe, and let me make you some tea to settle your stomach.”
No, this was awkward enough. Staying another minute in his presence would make me crumble again. If I stayed, I would most likely have a nervous breakdown before the clock hit midnight.
“Please, no. I promise I’m okay—” Words vanished from my lips when spoken so close to his face that his hot breath gave me goose bumps. I was protesting?
“It’s either you stay here while I make sure you’re okay, or I drive you home and feed you myself. Take your pick.”
He wasn’t going to let up; as a result, I best choose the wisest option. If I let him drive me home as he had promised, I might do something drastic, like beg him to forget about it all and start over again.
“I’ll stay if it makes you feel better.”
“Thank you,” he murmured before putting his hand behind my back to guide me towards the sofa. Taking a seat, Drake then took some pillows and placed them behind my back. As if that wasn’t enough, he surprised me by maneuvering my body to the side then placing my legs atop another feathered pillow. “There,” he declared before seeking my eyes. “I can take your sandals off, too, if it makes you relax better.”
Shaking my head, I vehemently declined, “No, thanks.”