Page 58 of Unfaithful

I dove back to work the moment I returned, barely pausing to catch my breath. During my absence, Bobby apparently took the initiative, assuming my responsibilities, looking after our clients, and maintaining smooth operations. Somehow, she had also taken charge of Cole's company when he was absent while managing her own subsidiary. A one-woman show. I had no idea how she pulled it off, but I was grateful for her, even though I still wasn't speaking to her. She showed up from time to time and tried to talk to me, even though my responses were still cold and detached. Still angry.

I never saw Cole. I didn't even know if he was in his office. Elsa never returned either. I had Dona pack up her things and store them in the basement's private storage, reserved only for us. As for Cole's belongings, I sent them to his parents' house. Fortunately, they were out of the country. If they weren't, my phone would have been ringing, and I'd have to explain everything to them.

It turned out the gossip had already spread. Some people in the office knew about Cole's affair with Elsa. Dona had only recently found out herself—apparently, rumors about Elsa giving birth and Cole being there had been running rampant. And, of course, it was Elsa herself who had started them. Thathorrendous bitch had taken a picture of Cole asleep in a hospital chair and sent it to a few of her friends in the office.

"Sara!" Dona burst into my office, slamming the door shut behind her. Her face was tight with urgency.

"What happened?" I asked, immediately on edge.

She hesitated, struggling to find the words. "God, Sara, this is the worst thing ever."

My stomach dropped. "What?"

Dona exhaled sharply. "Elsa is here." Her voice was laced with anger, disappointment, and barely concealed hatred.

"And she's brought the baby."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Cole

I was so fucking exhausted.

I barely got any sleep, with Elena crying all night, waking up every few hours, and needing to be fed. Elsa didn't lift a damn finger to help. Go figure.

I had to admit, my respect for mothers who juggled a baby and work had reached a whole new level, because I couldn't even function. I was exhausted, barely able to think straight.

I'd been staying at Elsa's, taking one of the spare rooms upstairs while Nancy took the other. Elena stayed with me in my room. Every night, I locked my door. No way was I letting Elsa sneak in and pull any shit I didn't want. She stayed in her bedroom downstairs.

She was furious, accusing me of intruding in her house.

I snapped back, reminding her that this wasmyhouse. She was the intruder here.

When would this nightmare end? When would I finally have Elena all to myself?

Nancy had been a godsend—firm, authoritative, and completely in control. She had no problem barking orders at Elsa, keeping everything in check. Her presence was the only thing that put me at ease when I had to go to the office.

Elsa had been nervous from the moment she saw Nancy, realizing I was no longer bound and could go whenever I pleased.

Well, too bad.

But it wasn't just the lack of sleep that drained me.

Going to the office every day was its own kind of torture, knowing Sara was there, so close, yet completely out of reach.

Every morning, when I arrived at the office, I waited for Sara from afar.

I missed her. Aching, longing just to see her.

So, I lingered in the background, hiding just to steal a glimpse. Same at lunch. Same at night before she left. And every time, I watched her, drowning in my guilt all over again.

How could I have done this to her?

I looked at her—so fucking beautiful.

She was the love I should have cherished, a precious soul I should have protected.

Why didn't I see the gift I had before it slipped through my fingers?

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