Page 136 of For Wrath and Redemption
Conrad shakes his head and takes one step backward.
“You’re fucking crazy.”
“Women do these things when they’ve been scorned, right?” I point to the door. “Contact us again and you will regret it. Get out.”
He flicks his eyes over my head to Jonah.
“You’re cut off. Next time you’re arrested, don’t call me.”
Jonah scoffs, but says nothing, and I don’t stop glaring at Conrad until he’s in the hallway and the door has shut on his back.
I release a sigh of relief, then twist in Jonah’s hold, looping my arms around his neck in a hug.
“I’m so sorry, Jonah. I had no idea.”
I stand on my tiptoes and kiss his lips, but he doesn’t kiss me back. He’s not holding me anymore either.
“Jonah?”
I drop my arms and survey his face, his body language. His muscles are just as tense as they were moments ago. His jaw is just as tight. His eyes are clamped shut, and his chest is heaving.
“Jonah, what’s wrong?”
He takes a step away from me, putting distance between us, and then he opens his eyes. The look he gives me chills my blood. I can feel my heart start to race for a new reason.
“Jonah.”
“Was that the truth? Did you want to marry him?”
“No.” I shake my head. “Absolutely not. I told you, I was wanting to end th?—”
“But you still fucked him.”
I flinch like I’ve been slapped. “Jonah.”
“You fucked my dad, Claire.” He gestures forcefully to the door his father just vacated. “I hate him with every fiber of my being, and you fucked him. You fucked him for months. Worse still, you dated him. You called him your boyfriend. He’s one of the worst people I’ve ever met, and you fucked him.”
My mouth drops open twice to defend myself, but both times, I can say nothing. I just stand there and watch as he shoves his hands into his hair and completely unravels. I try to walk closer, but he backs away, and it’s like a punch to the stomach.
“Jonah...I’m sorry,” I say softly. “I am. I can’t change it, but it’s over now. It doesn’t matter.”
“It does matter.”
“Why? I didn’t know you. I didn’t even know him. It was a mistake.”
“I can’t do this right now.” He drops to the couch and puts his head in his hands. “I can’t do this right now.”
I shake my head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean I can’t handle this right now.” He stands again and starts to pace. “Fuck, I just keep picturing you with him. And now—” He shoves his palms into his eyes and groans. “God, what if you’d stayed withhim? What if you loved him? What if you did get engaged? What if I fucking met you at your fucking wedding to my father?”
“Jonah. You’re spiraling.” I fist my trembling hands at my sides and try to keep my voice even. “None of that is real. It never would have happened.”
“I know! Fuck, I know. But Claire...”
He sits again, propping his elbows on his knees, and I take the opportunity to sit beside him. His back rises and falls with his quickened breaths, and when I place my hand on it to soothe him, I can feel his rapid heartbeat.
“I’m sorry,” I say softly. “I am. But I’m here with you. Iwantto be here with you. I want nothing at all to do with your father.”
