Thinking of her makes me want to vomit. I can’t believe she attacked me. My head still hurts where she literally ripped the hair out of my scalp. The way she looked at me, the words she said. She hates me.
That’s fine. I hate her too. She’s turned my beautiful boy completely against me, and the idea of her having sex with him makes me want to tear her apart.
Andrew is mine. He belongs to me.
I finally find a hotel and check in, handing over my husband’s credit card. The price doesn’t matter. Price never matters. Andy hasn’t cut off my credit cards or my access to our bank account, none of it. No matter what I do, no matter what I say, he wants me back. I’m his favorite prized possession and the idea that I might belong to someone else fills him with worry.
He won’t let me go. That’s both reassuring and cloying. I need Andy for financial security. I want others for excitement and passion. My husband can no longer give me that sort of excitement, which is a shame.
I go to my hotel room, bringing with me the small travel bag I packed just for this special occasion. I’d hoped Andrew would let me stay with him, but he has that bitch girlfriend living at his apartment for the moment, along with her younger brother.
Who was a most interesting specimen, if I’m being truthful. He’s handsome and young and full of attitude, I could sense it the moment I set eyes on him. Not necessarily my usual type, with his blond hair and green eyes, his slender build and wannabe bad boy personality.
He has potential, though. Tremendous potential.
Setting my bag on top of the bed, I unzip it and reach inside, pulling out the small handgun I took from my husband’s dresser. He keeps it there for protection. I brought it with me for the same reason. I’m about to do something that will change our lives forever and I’m not sure how others might react. I’m especially grateful I brought it, considering that stupid bitch is still in Andrew’s life.
It might be a mistake making my confession, but I need to get this information off my chest. Andy deserves the truth. Andrew must face his truth.
I may have told Andrew Vanessa belonged to him, but I don’t know if it’s true. I want it to be true. I’d much prefer believing Andrew was her father. Unfortunately, I never had it confirmed. There is no absolute for me regarding her paternity. But now she’s gone, and though it’s wishful thinking on my part that Andrew would ever gift me with another child, I still hope for it.
Despite his hatred for me. Despite his fear and disgust for me, I still wish for him to be mine.
Forever.
Chapter Twenty
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them. – Bruce Lee
Drew
When your phone rings at two in the morning and wakes you from a deep sleep, you know it’s never good.
The ringing startles me and I reach for my cell where it rests on my bedside table, my heart thumping wildly. Fable moves away from me in her sleep, rolling over on her side, her naked back to me. I’m immediately cold without having her close and I glance at the phone, see that it’s my dad calling. Again.
Reluctantly I answer, keeping my voice a whisper. “Hello.”
“Drew. My God.” He’s breathing heavily and I restrain myself from blowing out an exasperated breath. I’m so over his drama I can hardly take another anguished phone call, another crying plea. “Is it true?”
It’s like all the blood drains from my body. You tell yourself you’re prepared for a particular moment, a certain revelation, but when it happens, you’re still knocked on your ass. “Is what true?”
“Adele told me what happened between you two.” His voice lowers to an almost inaudible whisper. “Tell me, is it true?”
I don’t know what he wants me to say. Yes, it’s true or no, it’s not? Fuck, I’m confused. “What did she tell you?”
“That the two of you had an affair going on for years? Tell me, son. I need to know. Is she lying to me? Please say she’s lying.”
He doesn’t want to deal. Well, that’s just great because neither do I. “Dad…”
“Don’t beat around the bush. Just confirm it. Say yes or say no.”
I exhale heavily, my heart aching, my stomach turning. “I…”
“Say it! Yes or no. It’s as simple as that.”
Right. It’s so simple, admitting my deepest, darkest secret. “Yes,” I say, my voice harsh.
Dad is silent for so long, I wonder if he’s hung up on me. But then a burst of sound fills my ears, so ragged and pitiful, I almost don’t recognize it for what it is.
He’s…crying.
“I hate her,” he sobs, his voice broken. “She’s destroyed everything. My marriage, my son, my daughter. Oh God, I hate her so much.”