The Husband Beside Me(39)

“Not once looked back?” I said incredulously. “I looked back all the time and I hated that I lost it. I hate I lost my chance for something,” I sobbed, quietly.

“Addie…”

“Stop! I'm not doing this anymore. Tell me about your trip. Did you make the merger?” I asked, wiping away my tears. I had grown so sick of my pitiful ways.

“Come on, beloved. It’s me, Daimon. Of course I made the merger happen and made more money in the process.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.

“Figures,” I shrugged.

“What figures?”

“You’re good at what you do.” I gave him a toothless grin fighting back my horrible behavior.

“Did you just praise me?” he asked smiling.

“Say it’s one of your belated Christmas presents,” I offered.

“I’ll take it.”

“Of course you would,” I teased.

“Look, I have to go and get some paperwork done at the office. I’ll be back before six, okay?” he said, heading upstairs to change.



Instead of cooking, I ordered in some Thai food which I spread out onto the table. I took out one of his favorite wines, a cabernet sauvignon and waited. It was almost six when the phone rang. I knew it was from downstairs; I could tell by the ring.

“Addie, it’s me.” Fuck. Darren had shown up without calling first.

“Darren, it’s a bad idea you’re here,” I said to him.

“I just wanted to see you. Jesus, Addie, it’s been weeks since I’ve heard from or seen you,” he said sadly through the phone.

“I can’t let you up here. If Daimon finds out—”

“I don't care if Daimon finds out. You’re my friend I want to see you,” he said angrily.

I knew I couldn’t let him up here, not after I made such a huge deal about him not letting anyone in here. I hung up the phone and headed downstairs. I found him sitting on the couch, leaning forward looking on the ground.

“Darren?” I said as I walked up to him.

“Hey,” he said, standing up and hugging me.

“Are you okay?” I asked as I pushed back to see his face.

“Now I am.” He smiled. I moved around him and sat down on the couch that faced his.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“I missed you,” he said quietly. “I really missed you. It’s been weeks and I hadn’t seen or heard from you.”

“You could have called.” I smiled.

“I did,” he said, looking affronted. I took a deep breath, knowing what Daimon had done.

“He has you locked up tight up there.” Darren pointed up.

“I honestly don't understand you. First, you’re okay I'm dating him. You even make fun of us. Then out of nowhere you say you care for me. I tell you I'm sorry and you tell me it’s okay, yet now you’re here, wanting to see me.” Darren and his behavior confused me. He wasn’t the type to not know what he wanted.

“Sue me,” he shrugged. “You’ve always been there, Addie. I liked that you were always there. Now, you’re not,” he hissed.

“I'm married, Darren. I have responsibilities to Daimon. I mean, I get it; we’re friends and I love you as my friend. But I need to take into account how he’d feel, maybe after some time?” I offered.

“Why? Why do I have to lose you because of Daimon’s insecurities?” he scoffed.

“I know what you’re saying, but I understand how he feels too. I would be uncomfortable with Clara around. Yes, he’s a bit much and I wish he trusted me more, but it’s who he is,” I explained.

“It’s bullshit and you know it,” he barked.

“What’s bullshit?” Just what I needed, another Daimon-and-Darren encounter.

“You, keeping Addie from me,” Darren said bitterly as he stood up.

“She’s my wife. Of course I’m going to keep her away from you!” he spat out.

“She’s my friend and you were once mine too,” Darren said coldly.

“That’s before I found out you were in love with my wife,” Daimon seethed. “Do you honestly think I’m just going to let you have time with her? Are you fucked? She’s mine and she will stay mine!” Daimon said as he took me by the hand and yanked me up, pulling me toward the elevator.

“Could you stop making me look inadequate?” I bit back, taking my hand away from his.

“Get in the fucking elevator!” he barked.

“Daimon…”

“Addie, just fucking do it!” The elevator dinged and I stepped in, humiliation washing over me as I stood behind Daimon. Once we reached the penthouse, Daimon waited until I got off.