Page 57 of Small Town Daddy

You love her?! After everything we talked about?

Is this some kind of sick joke?

Tell me it’s not true.

I don’t understand . . . why would you do this?

"What the hell?" My voice was hoarse, barely more than a growl. Panic shot through me, jerking me upright. The texts blurred as my thumb scrolled through them, every word hitting harder than the last.

Then I saw it.

The message I didn’t send.

Hope you’re well. Miss you. Will explain everything tomorrow.

Gone. Replaced with something vile. Something I’d never say.

It's over. I love Emily. I'm sorry.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered, the words tasting sour. My pulse pounded in my ears.

I shoved the blankets off and stormed down the hall, feet heavy against the creaking floorboards. Emily’s door loomed at the end, slightly ajar. I didn’t knock.

"Emily!" I barked, shoving it open. The dim light from the streetlamp outside painted her in shadows. She sat cross-legged on the bed, her head snapping up like a deer caught in headlights.

"Marcus?" Her voice was all sugar, fake sweetness dripping.

I held up my phone, shaking with anger. "What the hell did you do?"

"Do?" she echoed, blinking wide-eyed. Too innocent. Too rehearsed.

"Don't play dumb." My voice cut through the room, sharper than I intended. "You sent Lucy a message. From my phone."

Her lips parted, but no words came out. She looked at me, then the phone, and back again. A crack formed in that fake composure, her bottom lip trembling.

"Marcus, I don’t—"

"Cut the crap, Emily." My chest heaved, the betrayal hitting me full force now. "Youliedto her. You tried to ruin everything I have with her."

Her face crumpled, tears spilling instantly. Raw, messy sobs wracked her frame, but they didn’t move me. Not this time.

"I couldn’t let you go," she choked out finally, her hands clutching the blanket like it might save her. "I thought—" She hiccupped, her voice cracking. "I thought if she believed you were back with me, maybe—"

"Maybe what?" I snapped, stepping closer. "That I'd just...what? Forget how much you’ve hurt me? Forget that I moved on? That I’m happy without you?"

"Please," she whimpered, reaching for me, her fingers brushing my arm. I jerked away, the contact setting my skin on fire.

"Stop," I said, cold now. I forced myself to breathe, to keep my voice steady. "This is unacceptable, Emily. I came here because you needed help. Because I thought maybe—" I stopped myself, swallowing hard. "But this? This crosses a line."

"Marcus, wait—"

"Your parents will be here soon," I interrupted, grabbing my jacket from the back of the chair near the door. My movements were quick, mechanical. "I truly hope you get the help you need. But I can't be part of this anymore."

"Don’t leave me!" she cried, scrambling off the bed. Bare feet on the floor, raw desperation in her voice.

"Goodbye, Emily."

Only one thing mattered now: fixing the mess Emily had made.

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