Page 110 of Fault Lines
I glanced at her, a tiny nod, and tried not to let my voice crack. Cam wasn’t the man I thought he was—not really—but it didn’t mean I loved him any less.
I forced a brittle smile. “Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here for a while? Just until I figure things out?”
Rachel nudged my knee with hers, eyebrow raised. “Girl, you know you’re always welcome here. No time limit.”
I couldn’t quite look at her. “I don’t want to get in the way.” I risked glancing at Jackson.
Jackson just shrugged, palms up. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine sharing the apartment, especially as I’ve just moved in. Plus, Nate would absolutely kill me if you left just because of us. He’ll be thrilled you’re not living with Cam right now.”
I let the words sink in, my body suddenly heavy. “But I haven’t really left him—I’m just… separated, for now. I still love him. I don’t know if I’ll be able to let go, even after this. And Cam was really clear: open marriage is off. He told me before I left.”
Rachel scoffed, tossing her hands. “He doesn’t get to decide that, Livi. Not after what he did. If you want to see Nate, you have every right. Honestly, he’s so much better for you.”
Jackson was studying us, quiet. I wondered what he thought about the idea of me with Nate. He probably thought Nate deserved someone better—not a married woman who couldn’t hold her relationship together.
Just then, my phone started vibrating on the cushion next to me. Cam’s name flashed on the screen.
Rachel raised her eyebrows. “Speak of the Devil. Are you gonna answer?”
I stared at the phone, half-expecting it to combust in my hand. So much for giving me space.
“No,” I said, voice low. “I’m just going to go lie down. If that’s okay?”
“Of course,” Rachel said, her tone softening. “We’ll call you for dinner.”
“Thanks.” I let the phone ring until it stopped, then slipped away to the guest room and crawled into bed, the sheets cold and unfamiliar. I wasn’t sure what to do with myself anymore.
A few minutes later, the phone gave a small ping; a text from Cam.
I know I said I’d give you some space, but I miss you so much already, baby. Please come home and we can try to work it out. Please give me one last chance.
I stared at the screen, thumbs numb. Half of me wanted to run back to him, pretend this was all some bad dream. In my head, I saw myself in his arms, the promises of forever, the way he’d hold tight and swear up and down that he’d never even look at another woman. That the baby was just an accident and all this pain could somehow be undone.
But that was just a fantasy.
There was a baby on the way. Whether I liked it or not. And if I was honest, Cam wanted that baby—even if it wasn’t mine. Even if the whole thing was built on a lie.
The phone rang again. I picked up this time.
“Baby?” Cam’s voice was low, velvety. “You there?”
I swallowed. “I’m here.”
“I miss you so much.”
“It’s only been one night.”
“One night too many. The bed felt so cold.”
“I guess you’ll have to get used to it.”
Silence. I let it hang, the words heavy and mean.
“Or maybe—you can warm it with her,” I said, sharper than I meant to. But after everything he’d done, didn’t I deserve to be angry?
“I don’t want her, baby. I only want you. I swear it.”
“It’s funny you say that, since I wasn’t enough for you just months ago.”
