“Are those from Charles?”
“Yes,” I say, and wonder who she is and why she’s here.
She narrows her eyes. “Hmm. Not surprised. I’ve received the same flowers from him on multiple occasions.”
“The same?”
I’m so confused and devastated that I wonder if I’m even awake. This entire encounter is incredibly bizarre.
“The very same.” She takes several steps closer, picking at her red-painted nails. “I feel it is my duty to tell you what went on between Charlie and me.”
“What do you mean? What went on?”
I feel nauseous, sensing that something earth-shattering is about to be imparted. Not that it matters. We’re over. My stomach literally lurches. “What do you mean?” I force myself to ask again.
“I mean he was my fiancé.”
My world tilts, and I have just enough time to grab my trash can before the contents of my stomach spill out.
“And I came to get him back, so it’s time for you to leave.”
43
Charles
The soundof footsteps has me lifting my gaze toward the entrance to my office. “What are you doing here, Tabitha?”
She takes a seat across from me, making a show of crossing her legs.
“I came to talk,” she coos. “Thought it was long past due.”
“Get the fuck out.”
I don’t bother looking up at the bitch. My skin crawls with her proximity alone. After the fight I had with Raven, I’m a coiled wire, ready to snap. If she doesn’t heed my warning and leave, she’ll feel my full wrath.
She tsks. “Is that any way to speak to yourmother?”
“You’re not my anything,” I grit through my teeth. “You might be fucking my father—”
“Wrong. I’m married to your father.” She twirls a piece of her hair, and an evil grin spreads across her face.
My eyes narrow in on her, full of fire and warning, but she doesn’t so much as flinch. That sick smile, plastered all over her fake face. She’s nothing more than a plastic shell of the woman I once tried to love.
“What are you up to?”
She shrugs. “I was in the area and wanted to say hello. I miss you, Charlie.”
I growl. “Don’t call me that.”
She whimpers, pursing her botched lips. “You used to love it.”
“Never.”
She takes a deep breath, blowing it out loudly while picking at her fingers. “I met your pretty plaything again. What’s her name? Robin?”
My stomach sours at the thought of this vile woman being anywhere near Raven.
“I find it interesting that you failed to tell her about us. About all the times we fucked.” She giggles. “Sorry to be crude.”