Page 49 of Unfaithful

"Who are you?" Elsa practically barked.

My smile widened. "Nancy, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, Mr. Sterling. Steve Beckett sent me. I'm the live-in nanny."

I glanced at Elsa again, fully satisfied to see the color drain from her face.

"Thank you for coming. Now, help me get Elena into her seat."

*** *** ***

It was five a.m. The streets were eerily quiet as I stood in front of my house, staring up at the brownstone, the place where I had built a life with Sara, where every corner held memories of us. It had been our sanctuary, our home. But now, I felt like an intruder, my very presence defiling the sanctity of what we had created, the love that had once flourished here, now buried beneath the wreckage of my stupidity.

I wondered if Sara had gone back to the house or if she was still at Archie's.

It hurt, knowing she chose to stay with him—a man who had been in love with her forever, even though she never realized it. She had been blind to his feelings while everyone else saw them clearly.

That was why Archie had always kept his distance, and I gave him credit for that. He never interfered in our relationship. Not once.

But now... would he still be content staying in the background?

After everything I'd done, I knew he was a better man than me. He cared for her, treated her with love and respect, while I... I broke her in a way that made forgiveness seem impossible.

Even I wouldn't forgive myself.

So how could Sara?

Letting out a deep sigh, I stepped up to the front door and slowly pushed it open. The familiar scent of home wrapped around me as I took a hesitant step inside. The house stretched before me, unchanged yet somehow different. Maybe because I was different now.

I lingered in the doorway, my eyes sweeping over every detail: the polished floors, the soft glow of the lamps, the faint scent of Sara's perfume still lingering in the air. It felt both welcoming and foreign, as if I no longer belonged here.

And then, a deep voice cut through my thoughts.

"Where the fuck have you been?"

I turned to see Archie standing in the hallway, arms crossed, looking furious.

The realization settled in my chest like a stone. It seemed I had lost Sara completely. To him.

He was here. With her.

He was there for her, protecting her from the hurt I caused.

And the worst part? I couldn't even hate him.

Because without him, Sara would be alone—hurting, breaking, drowning in the pain I caused.

All because of me.

The weight of it all pressed down on me—guilt, regret, shame—twisting like a knife in my chest.

I swallowed hard, forcing out the only words that mattered.

"Where's Sara?"

"In her room," he replied, walking over to me. "Emma is with her now, keeping her company."

Thank fuck. Emma was here.

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