Page 220 of Champagne Nights

“I’m sorry, Kirsten. I really am. But I can’t stay in a relationship that makes me unhappy. It’s not fair to you or to me. You have to realize that.”

Her hands reached out and clutched the front of my shirt.

“We just lost our way, Henry. I can make you happy again. I promise I’ll go to counseling alone and won’t say a word about your friends. You can do whatever you want. I can make you happy again.” She pleaded.

I placed my hands on each side of her face and softly wiped away her tears.

“I’m sorry, but it’s over.”

I inhaled a sharp breath as I walked out of her apartment. Now, I needed to brace myself for the consequences and wrath of my parents.

Chapter Eleven

Henry

The moment I walked into my apartment, I poured myself a double scotch and took it out on the terrace. As I was staring out into the brightly lit city, I heard the elevator ding. A sickness formed in the pit of my stomach with the thought it could either be Kirsten or my parents. I wouldn’t put it past her to have called them the second I left her place. Walking to the foyer, the doors opened, and Addison stepped out.

“Hey.” I let out a sigh of relief.

“Hey. Can I crash here tonight?” she asked as she pushed past me with her bag.

Of all nights for her to want to crash here.

“Sure. What’s going on?”

“I got into a fight with the parents.” She walked into the kitchen, grabbed the bottle of wine off the counter, opened it, and brought it up to her lips.

Quickly, I ran over and grabbed it from her.

“Use a glass.” I smirked and took one down from the cabinet. “Tell me what happened.”

“Carlyle and Lillian. That’s what happened. I knew it would only be a matter of time. Actually, I think forty-eight hours is a record for them.”

“Why? What did they do now?”

“They invited Carter Colson over for lunch today.”

“Oh boy,” I spoke.

“You were right. The guy is a total douchebag. The way he was kissing their ass and then trying to charm me was disgusting. I totally saw right through him. Plus, I did some digging and found out some things about him.”

“Like what?”

“He has anger issues, and he likes to knock girls around.”

“How did you find that out?” I narrowed my eyes at her.

“I gave Paulie a call.”

“Our private investigator?” My brow arched.

“Yep. You know he always had a soft spot for me.” She grinned. “Anyway, turns out that Mr. Colson was arrested last year for assault and battery.”

“Who did he assault?”

“Some girl he was dating. She said he didn’t like it when she tried to go out one night with her friends instead of him. They got into a big fight, and he beat her up. Apparently, his family paid the girl off to leave town. So, without her testimony, they dropped the charges and let him go. When I told Carlyle and Lillian that I wasn’t interested and there was no way I was going out with him, they threw a fit and told me that I had no choice but to give him a chance or else.”

“Or else?” I arched my brow at her.

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