Page 25 of Unfaithful

He would do that, wouldn't he?

My patience finally snapped. "Are you out of your fucking mind?"

"Careful, Archie," Cole hissed, glowering at me. "You're treading on dangerous ground."

"I'm not the one playing with fire, Cole," I said, my voice tight with restraint. "You fucked up. And right now, I can't even look at you without wanting to break your face."

My glare could have cut glass as I spat, "You have everything, Cole. Sara is the best damn thing in your life. And you threw it away for some shallow, brainless bimbo who didn't think twice about sleeping with a married man. Worse? You got her pregnant."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Not only are you a cheater, but a stupid one at that. You couldn't even bother to use a condom?"

The devastation slammed back into his face at my words. He pressed the heel of his palm to his right eye and shook his head.

"I always use a condom," he muttered. "It broke anyway."

I recoiled at that. "Are you sure this is your kid?"

"Yes." He met my eyes steadily. "I had a paternity test. She's mine."

"She?" I asked hesitantly.

His jaw tightened. "It's a girl."

I shook my head, exhaling sharply. "I just can't with you, Cole." My voice dropped, filled with disbelief. "Do you even realize how much you've hurt Sara?"

"I do," he muttered, his voice small as he dropped his head.

Well, that figured. He was probably the smallest asshole in existence.

"Why do you cheat, Cole? I can't understand that. Why?"

He sighed. "Because I'm a weak man who couldn't resist temptation. That's all I can say."

I observed him. He regretted it. I could see it. It was destroying him.

For a brief second, I almost felt sorry for him.

Then I remembered that pregnant whore, and just like that, any sympathy vanished.

"I won't let you take her away from me," he said firmly. His gaze sharpened, daring me. "Sara is mine. I'll do anything to make her forgive me. And shewillforgive me."

He took another step closer—an obvious challenge. "Don't you fucking dare get in my way."

Our eyes locked, tension crackling between us. Then, slowly, he turned and walked back to his car.

"I'll wait inside my car," he called over his shoulder. "Tell her I'm not leaving until she comes out and sees me."

CHAPTER SEVEN

Cole

It was 9 a.m., and Sara still hadn't come out. I sat in the car, grateful for my jacket keeping me warm.

My eyes were closed, my head resting against the headrest as I replayed every mistake I had made, mistakes I kept making, even when I knew better. But it was too late now. There was no undoing the damage.

And honestly, besides waiting here and kneeling at her feet, begging for forgiveness, I had no real, solid plan to win back her heart. My betrayal was too great to be forgiven. I knew that. I didn't even deserve to be in her presence.

But I was going to try anyway.

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