I wanted to scream. I didn’t need therapy. I needed my husband to admit the truth. I needed my friend to stop pretending she hadn’t destroyed my life. I needed just one person to believe me.
“Don’t drag this out,” he said gently. “You’ll upset Delilah. Just apologize so we can move on.”
My lips shook. “I won’t.”
Lucinda’s patience vanished. “Do it. Now.”
The pounding in my ears drowned everything else. My legs trembled until I couldn’t hold myself up anymore. Slowly, painfully, I sank to the floor, the cold seeping into my bones.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered.
Delilah tilted her head, satisfied. “Make sure it never happens again.”
That was when something inside me finally gave way.
They weren’t mistaken. They weren’t confused.
They were working together to crush me.
They left without another glance, his arm tight around her waist.
And I collapsed completely.
I covered my face and cried until my chest felt hollow, until I couldn’t remember what it was like not to hurt.
With shaking fingers, I grabbed my phone and dialed the one number I swore I’d never call again.
When my brother answered, I broke.