Page 12 of Shattered Dreams
When I finally turn, Roman is leaning against the kitchen doorway, staring at me. His eyes are dark, hollow.
My heart leaps before I can stop it—the stupid, loyal thing. But then my husband hasalwayshad this effect on me.
I swallow hard and look at Aunt Jane and Shannon, both glaring daggers at him.
"If you want to go—" I start.
"I'll be right outside," Shannon cuts in. "Text me whenhe'sgone."
Aunt Jane kisses my forehead. "Call me if you need me. Otherwise, I'll move in here." Her eyes flick to Roman, cold and unflinching. "You're stronger than you think, Ava."
When the door clicks closed, the silence settles, and it’s thick and fucking suffocating.
"Ava, I'm so fucking sorry," Roman says quietly.
I stiffen.
I can’t look at him.
"Why are you here, Roman?" My voice could cut ice. "To hurt me with the details? Huh?"
He flinches. "No?—"
"If you want to stay in this mansion of lies and deceit, I'll leave. You pick, because I don’t care."
His mouth opens, then shuts. He drops his gaze. He looks like he hasn't slept. For a flicker of a second, the concern tugs at me—a reflex I hate.
Old habits of being a good wife. Honouring my vows, the kind of shit that Roman must’ve slept through.
I push past him to the fridge, pouring cool orange juice into a glass, steadying my hands. When I turn, he's standing too close.
"I'm a fucking fool."
"Who was she?" I ask, circling the counter to put distance between us.
"Her name's Annie. Just someone I met while training."
Annie.
I grip the glass harder, rage crawling up my chest.
"I want facts. How many times? Where? When? Are you in love with her?"
He lifts his head, his eyes rimmed with red. "I'm only in love with you."
I laugh—a sound that's more of a bark. "I saidfacts. Not bullshit."
He hesitates, then glances toward the counter. My laptop sits open there, notifications flashing. "I’ve been seeing her for a few months," he admits.
Pain crushes my chest, stealing my air.
A few months?!
I grab the laptop, typing his name into Google. The articles load fast. Headlines scream across the screen.
“NFL Star Roman Muller Caught With 21-Year-Old Model."
"Exclusive: Inside the Affair That Rocked the League."
