Page 50 of Unfaithful

"So, what are you still doing here?" I asked. If Emma was with her, there was no reason for him to be.

"Because I want to make sure she's okay," he said without hesitation as if nothing in the world mattered more.

His gaze locked onto me. Studying, scrutinizing, peeling me apart piece by piece.

"I've been looking for you," he said. "I went to your office, to your parents—no one knew where the fuck you were."

"Elsa gave birth," I said quietly, avoiding his gaze. "She was in her hometown. I had to take a train to get there. Then my phone went missing..." I trailed off, too exhausted to explain further. "Long story."

"And now you're back," he said stiffly, looking like he was a second away from punching me. "What exactly are you planning to do now, Cole?"

I met Archie's gaze, steeling myself so I wouldn't break down right then and there, not in front of him. "I need to talk to Sara."

"Like hell you will!"

Both Archie and I snapped our heads toward the voice just in time to see Emma storming over, her face twisted with fury.

"I heard voices downstairs and thought, 'Could it be the fucking coward who ran off with his mistress while his wife cried herself numb?' And guess what? It actually was the fucking coward. Welcome back, asshole!"

She slammed her tiny fist against my chest. I barely felt it. Maybe because the numbness inside me had already seeped into every inch of my body, dulling everything.

"Emma, let me talk to her," I said, my tone pleading.

Funny, wasn't it? That I had to ask for permission to speak to my own wife. In my own damn home.

That's how low I'd fallen in their eyes.

"I don't think that's a good idea." Emma shook her head, arms crossed tight. "Sara just fell asleep. So why don't you do us all a favor and get the hell out of here? We'll call you when she's ready—if she ever is."

"It's okay," a familiar voice said softly from across the room.

I spun toward the source, my breath catching.

"I want to hear what he has to say."

Sara.

Fuck.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The sight of her nearly brought me to my knees.

I pinched my eyes shut as they burned, swallowing down the lump forming in my throat.

Exhaling a trembling breath, I tried to steady myself, but it was useless. I was still shaking.

The guilt. The remorse. The shame of being such a fuck-up.

Of ruining both our lives.

When I opened my eyes again, Sara was already walking toward me.

My gaze clung to her, drinking her in like a dying man gasping for air. I had missed her so much it hurt.

She stopped just inches away, looking up at me. Her eyes were calm. Steady. Strong.

She was so damn strong.

"Let's talk," she said quietly.

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