Dread pools, and I’m petrified we can’t come back from this.
After all the nuggets of information he’s given me about his past and the hurt he’s felt by those he’s loved, I fear I’ve added my name to that list.
Something I will regret for the rest of my life if that’s the case.
“Your bags are packed, and a car is waiting for you out front.”
My mouth falls open. He’s kicking me out?
“You are not just sending me packing. We are going to talk through this. Charles, I—”
“I don’t want to hear anything more you have to say, Raven. Please leave.”
“No. You said if something happened between us, we would handle this as adults. This is as immature as it comes. You will not do this to me.”
"I won’t do this to you? Isn’t that just rich? I won’t kick out the woman who lied to my face repeatedly?”
My hands rest on my hips. “When did I ever lie to you, Charles?” I challenge.
“When haven’t you? From the first moment at Silver, you were next to Asher. But somehow the man working for Bauer didn’t recognize me?”
“No, I told you I didn’t know.”
“Bullshit Raven. Everything has been a lie. And I fucking fell for it.”
“Italy was not a lie.”
He inclines his head. “Oh, and Holly just magically got poorly before we were supposed to go for her shoot. Did you and Asher work that up? Get her to play that card?”
“I didn’t even know I was going to go. You calledme, remember? I didn’t have clothes. My God, why won’t you listen to reason? You said you wouldn’t do this.Youare the liar. A liar and a goddamn coward.”
“I’m not the one who saidthank youto the man you just fucked but called your boyfriend and saidI love you!”
“That’s not what...”
His jaw is locked. “I said no more,” he grits out.
“I’m not going until you say this isn’t going to affect work. You promised.”
“I promised you nothing. Now get out.”
“Charl—”
“Leave!” he bellows, and I swear the house shakes on its foundation from the force of his rage.
Rage he’s directed at me.
Tears spill down my cheeks, and I choke back a sob.
Charles’s shoulders rise and fall, showcasing the strength of his anger. It’s not abating.
I’ve hurt him. He might mask it under a layer of rage, but that’s pure pain radiating from him. And I caused it.
I have so much to say, but it won’t do any good tonight.
I won’t provoke more betrayal from him. He doesn’t deserve it.
Without a word, I move toward the front door and find my bag sitting there. My heart is in my throat, and my knees wobble. I’m two seconds away from breaking, but I don’t want it to be here.