Page 29 of Unfaithful

I stood my ground as he sauntered toward me, his gaze unwavering, daring me to make a move.

"What?" he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "You gonna throw more threats my way?"

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Look, whatever you think of me, it doesn't matter. What should matter is her. You should trust her. She's nothing like you. She won't cross the line. And me?" He paused, his expression hardening. "I'd never do that to her. I respect her too much."

Archie strode toward the house, leaving me standing there, bristling with anger. I clenched my fists, trying to rein it in, but deep down, I knew it wasn't just anger. It was insecurity. It was desperation.

Archie was a good man. The most innocent one in this whole mess. He saved my wife. From me.

He was the hero. And I was the villain.

I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay in control. Then, turning on my heel, I walked back inside.

The moment I stepped in, I found Sara standing face-to-face with Bobby and Steve.

Her voice rang out, sharp and furious. "You both fucking lied to me!"

CHAPTER EIGHT

Sara

I thought I was okay.

I thought I was tough.

I thought I could get through this.

But it was so hard. So damn hard.

Seeing Cole again ripped open wounds that were still raw, reminding me of the heartbreak—the loss of love I once believed would last forever.

Of the pain. Of feeling small and unworthy.

Of knowing that I wasn't enough for him.

I walked away from him, trying to be strong. But the pain remained, gnawing at my insides, wrecking my soul.

I told myself,don't cry.

But I still cried.

I walked faster, farther away, yet the most important part of me remained in his hands.

He still had my heart.

Cole was my life. He was my everything. And I would use every ounce of my strength to reduce him to nothing.

I jogged, skirting the edge of the pool and rushing into the house, hastily wiping away the tears still streaming down my cheeks.

I chanted to myself,I'm stronger than this.

When I stopped at the double doors, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I couldn't let Archie's parents see me like this.

When I opened my eyes again, the crying had stopped.

I've got this.

I slid open the door and stepped inside. Janet and Herston turned to me at once. Janet, ever perceptive, narrowed her eyes, the crease in her forehead deepening. She saw it. The sorrow in my expression, the weight in my stance.

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