Page 258 of My French Love Affair

After all, we both know the answer.

The men exchange glances. “Twenty thousand.”

Fuck- that’s a lot of money to have spent on fucking drugs in what feels like no time at all. It was fifteen thousand last week - surely, this isn't all for him.

Jacques has been spiralling for months now, completely in denial about his behaviours, but there's no way that even he can consume that much. He'd be dead in a heartbeat.

I hold out my hand expectantly, waiting for the card to be handed to me with the account details on it. The men shoot a few knowing glances at each other before one hands it over.

Without another word, I pull out my phone, tap a few buttons, and transfer the money.

One of the men’s phones pings. He glances down at it, thensmirks.

“Pleasure doing business with you,again, Moreau.”

"Fuck off," I bite out.

They leave without another word, and Jacques exhales, rubbing his face.

“Fuck.”

I don’t respond. At this point, I don’tcare. There's no way that something even more unpleasant than I originally suspected isn't going on here, and I'm through with it all.

I'mdone.

I’m already turning away -

And then, a glassshatters.

I spin back just in time to see Poppy’s friend shriek in frustration. Her expression is twisted in rage, her hand still hovering mid-air -

While Jacques is drenched in red wine.

He curses loudly in French as he shakes the liquid from his shirt and wipes his eyes.

“What thefuck?” he growls.

“You’re a piece ofshit,” she snaps. Her voice is shaking, her hands clenched into fists. “Iknewyou were lying to me.”

Jacques groans, wiping his face. “Leah -”

“No.” She shakes her head, her eyes flashing. “Youliedto me. Youusedme.”

I exhale heavily, running a hand down my face.

Fucking hell, Jacques.

He glances at me, his jaw tightening, like maybe I can fixthis, too.

Not a chance, pal.

Because, quite simply, I don’t care.

Not about Jacques’ lies. Not about whatever excuses he’s about to spill.

I only care abouther.

And as Poppy rushes towards the brunette with the other girls, trying to comfort her, all I want is to get her away from this.

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