Page 56 of The Most Perfect Wrong

“My wife and I moved to Chicago a year and a half ago. We both started working immediately. She took on an executive admin position, and within three months of being here, I found out she was having an affair with her boss.”

Whoa. Okay, this is not at all what I expected. I blink, momentarily caught off guard.

“I guess I’m not one of those people who can stay with someone who cheats.” He shrugs. “And maybe that makes me a shitty person. But I checked out immediately—physically and emotionally. I moved into the guest bedroom, cut off all physical touch… told her I wanted a divorce. Mentally, I was a fucking mess.” He pauses, bringing his hand to the back of his neck, gripping the skin. His eyes close, wincing, as if he’s reliving the pain. He brings his arms down to the counter, leaning on them for support. “She threw away ten years of marriage for a guy she barely knew.”

“Oh my God. Ten years?” I ask automatically.

He nods. “By the time I was in Newport, it had been six months, I’d moved out, and was living in an Airbnb, looking for a permanent place. I’d filed for divorce. She’d already been served the papers.” He looks at me. “Then I met you.”

I swallow hard, trying to process what he’s just said.

“The morning after you and I… slept together, I woke up to you being gone, and a voicemail from Beth. They’d found a lump in her breast, and she was scared—asked if I’d go with her to the appointment.” He pauses for a drink of water, his throat noticeably scratchy. “Anyway, long story short—she has breast cancer. She was on my insurance, and the coverage her company offered wasn’t great. Plus, she needed the emotional support. So, we stayed married on paper, and I moved back into the guest bedroom to help her through the radiation…” He chokes up. “To be there for her.”

He looks at me, smiling softly. “I still love Beth. She was my best friend for twelve years. We had a good marriage…” He does the sexy cheek-sucking thing. “I thought we did anyway.” He takes a deep breath, and presses his forehead against his fingers, rubbing the skin. “I still feel like shit every day when I look at her—because she’s in hell, and I can’t be that man for her. The one that forgives—gives her another chance… And then there’s you.” He pauses, his gaze fixed on me. “I told her I slept with you when I moved back in. She was hurt, but she understood. We were over. There was nothing for her to be angry about.”

I meet his gaze, my own emotions threatening. There’s something so broken in his tone. I didn’t think I’d ever see him like this—unguarded, bruised, and a bit lost. Maybe I’m not the only one trapped in a mess I don’t know how to fix. Anddamn, Ryan’s actually a really good person.

I reach for his arm, resting my hand on it. “I’m so sorry, Ryan. Truly.”

He nods, his expression softening for just a moment before he continues. “Do you want to know one of the hardest parts about all this?”

“What is it?” I ask sincerely.

“Not only am I constantly worried about Beth… but I’m racked with guilt. She wants to work things out—go to couples therapy. And here I am, leaving my wife while she’s fighting cancer… all while thinking about this she-devil who knows exactly how to push my buttons.”

He chuckles bitterly, shaking his head. “She teases and tempts me—drives me fucking insane.” His gaze flicks to mine, and there’s a moment of raw vulnerability in his eyes. “And the worst part? She’s in a relationship where she doesn’t even seem happy.”

His eyes lock onto mine, piercing, unflinching. “So, tell me, Cooper. Why do you stay with Brad?”

His words hit me like a freight train.Am I that transparent?

Does he know about Brad? About the cheating? God, Ryan was with his wife for twelve years. She had one affair, and he was done. Does that make me weak for staying? Or stronger for trying? I don’t know anymore. I just know I’m too embarrassed to admit I’ve been in the same boat—and I keep choosing to stay.

Is it even a choice, though? It feels more complicated than that. Because every time Brad and I come to a head, every time he twists that knife, planting those doubts and pleading his case, it makes it that much harder to leave the next time.

I wish I had Ryan’s courage.

I wish I could just fucking leave.

But life’s not that simple for me.

Chapter 18

RYAN

I watch her as she processes everything I just said. Maybe I’ve had one too many drinks—I definitely said too much. I’ve been too honest, too blunt, too bold. But I’m too tired to care anymore. While I love the flirtatious banter, I’m over this up-and-down bullshit that she keeps dishing out.

I’m crazy about Cooper. I think about her constantly. Fuck, even when Beth’s mouth was around my cock, I thought of Cooper. And maybe that makes me a complete asshole, but I can’t help it. I want her. And I want her to break up with her douchebag fiancé.

I lost my head tonight in the pool. She was testing me, pushing my limits—I could see that. But part of it was real. The fun, carefree Cooper who laughed and played in the pool with me like we were teenagers—that side of her was real.

She’s now scowling at me. “What makes you think I’m not happy in my relationship?”

Ah, so she’s going to avoid everything I said about her and go straight to defending Brad.

I shrug. “Mostly comments you’ve made… A few things, actually. The way you roll your eyes or sigh when he texts or calls. The way you were on edge at the Christmas Party, and then I saw you two arguing—the fact that you're still fighting ten days later. And, honestly, the fact that you just kissed me in the pool.” I hesitate, unsure if I should say more, but I do. “I heardyou two this morning… arguing.” I grimace. “Was that about me?”

I wait for some snappy response about my huge ego.

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