Page 68 of Tempting Eden

“Any more witnesses for the Defendant Ms. Rochester, Claudia?”

“None, Your Honor.”

“Any rebuttal witnesses, Mr. Laramie?”

The attorney was arguing with Mason, their whispers growing loud enough for me to hear. Mason, it seemed, wanted to take the stand, but Mr. Laramie kept saying “Fifth Amendment,” and that he couldn’t risk it. Eventually, the attorney won out.

“None, Your Honor.”

“Then I find this trial is concluded. Laura,” she motioned to her secretary. “I want you to transcribe this part.”

Laura moved to her transcription machine and perched at the ready.

“What’s she doing?” I whispered to Claudia.

“I think she’s ruling from the bench. I’ve never seen her do this before. She usually only issues written orders. I think—”

The judge’s voice, clear and loud interrupted. “The parties have come before me on today’s date in the matter of Mason v. Rochester, a custody action. I have taken testimony from both sides and have decided to rule as follows—”

“Hang on, Judge, the cord came undone.” Laura knelt to plug in the transcription device. Once done, she settled back in and typed a bit. “Okay, I got all that, you can go on.”

My insides kinked, knotted and raw. What if she took Adele from me? What if she made her spend time with the monster sitting only feet away? Would he hurt her, too?

“In the matter of Mason v. Rochester, I find in favor of—”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

JACK

ISAT ALONE.THEapartment was steeped in gloom save the light glare of the streetlamp a few floors below. Diana had long since gone, the disappointment written across her face sealing the end of our relationship, if it could be called that. I couldn’t give her what she wanted, couldn’t even touch her without thinking of Eden.

I rested my head in my hands and let my thoughts drift where they wanted to go. I was tired of fighting it, of fighting Eden. I recalled her face, the too-thick brows and the turned up nose. Flaws, perhaps, to a garden-variety idiot. Perfection to me.

In my mind, she leaned against my desk, looking down at me with her winsome smile. Then she was in my bed, opening beneath me as I gave her pleasures. Her soft hair straying across my face, her small, pale hand caressing the flowers over my heart. She haunted me. Every day, every night.

I rubbed my eyes, the booze worn off now. It had to be about two in the morning, maybe three. My phone chirped in my pocket. I leaned back, happy for any distraction from the last time I looked at Eden. That memory always ended the parade of her images. The one of betrayal. I scrolled to my email app and saw a new message. It was from [email protected] and had the same cat smile logo as Adele’s. It was Eden, as if she’d read my thoughts somehow.

She hadn’t tried to contact me in months. I’d never taken her calls and assiduously deleted her emails. She even tried to send snail mail. Trashed without a look. Now, though, now I needed something, anything, to make my world somehow bearable again. Even if it required me to pretend for the briefest moment that Eden was different, that she cared about me. I could do it, just to save myself from the hell I was living in. Maybe if I gave in this one time, I’d be able to move on.

I opened the email.

Jack,

Please don’t delete this. You are well within your rights to, but please don’t. I’m writing to give you the explanation you deserve, the one I should have given you a long time ago.

As you know, I was a vice president at Thornfield. But I was never truthful with you about how I got there. I slept my way to the top. I collected top dollar developers and let them use me just like I used them in return. The same thing happened with Gray. I was little more than a prostitute. The shame that admission causes me is huge, overwhelming. But I can say it now. I don’t want any lies between us.

I told you Mason demanded money to stay away from Adele. I didn’t tell you that his demands increased over time and that they got so big that I’d taken out massive loans and whored myself out to developers so that I could pay him. The Belle Mar deal would have saved me from it. Mason promised me that if I would give him all the money I was going to make on the Belle Mar sellout, that he would never bother me again and that he would sign away all his rights to Adele. I felt like I had no choice but to take the deal.

Then you and I happened. And I made so many mistakes. I should have told you about all of it. I can’t excuse my actions. But I need you to know what you saw, what I almost did with Gray—that changed me. I know it’s too little, too late. I love you. I love you so much, and I know I have no right to tell you that.

I left Thornfield. I stopped paying Mason. The truth is out. All of it. Mason is, right now, sitting in the Jefferson County jail awaiting arraignment on rape and blackmail charges. It’s been in the papers. The Rochester family name is crumbling. I have no money, no career. But I don’t care about those things. I want you to know if I could go back, I’d happily be a pauper in disgrace if I could erase the pain I’ve caused you. You, who’ve already suffered far too much. I was selfish and stupid and I fucked up the only chance at amazing I will ever have. Now I have to live with that regret. But I want only happiness for you.

I want you to know that the entire fault is mine, from beginning to end. I know now that I always had a choice. I didn’t have to do the things I did. You showed me that. Your strength showed me what a fool I’ve been.

Please know you are still, and will always be, in my heart, even though I know I don’t deserve to keep you there. Please take with you my love, if you can stand it. Goodbye.

Eden

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