Page 233 of Damaged Mogul

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I’m across the country. How was I ever going to know he was leading a double life?

My deep-seated fear of rejection that’s plagued me since my mom died, rears its ugly head.

An overwhelming surge of sadness hits me, and my throat tightens up. I’m certain I’m about to throw up again, but no, it’s only heartache.

I hate myself for having succumbed to Gage’s charm. I’m pathetic for allowing a man to reduce me to this. I promised myself I’d never follow in Mama’s footsteps and fall for a guy who was taken.

I’ve done it twice.

Gage was a grumpy bear from the moment I met him. I should’ve welcomed his cold attitude like an omen.

I should’ve kept it to scoping out film schools.

I should’ve never gone to Rhys’s birthday party.

I should’ve never kissed him.

And I should’ve never slept with him.

I cry so hard, I give myself a headache.

It takes a while before my sobs quiet.

I wipe away my tears and blow my nose.

My puffy face is it telltale sign I’m having a shit day.

I need to go home and sleep for the next week. Or month.

I compose myself, breathing in and out a few times.

Don’t waste your tears on that man. He doesn’t deserve them.

As broken as my heart is at this moment, I need to muster up the energy to get out of here. I pull the strap of my handbag over my shoulder, and march towards the door.

I search for an exit sign, but I can’t find one.

Crap.

I was hoping to avoid going through the main restaurant.

This day keeps getting better and better.

With my head hung low, I focus on putting one foot in front of the other as I trail towards the restaurant. No one pays me any attention as I pass by table after table of patrons.

I’m home free?—

“Hey, Lily!”

My eyes shoot up.

Giuseppe waves. Bouncing off the barstool he’s sitting on, he rushes towards me.

Dammit.

He stops in front of me, his frame tensing. His smile disappears and his eyes widen. “What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

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