‘So that’s what I am now? Petty. Selfish. Spoiled. People destroy me, and I’m supposed to smile and thank them for it?’
Orville’s face shifted a little when he saw me—like he felt a twinge of guilt.
“Presley, stop. You know I’ll never divorce you. Twenty years… No one else compares. My love for you—”
But he stopped mid-sentence.
He looked at Blaire.
And I saw it.
Guilt.
She looked at my husband like a sad little angel after a storm, all shaky and pale, big teary eyes about to spill but not quite, staring at him like she was about to break.
“O-Orville… So you really love my sister? You’re just with me out of… pity?”
Orville frantically tried to explain.
“No, Blaire!” he rushed to say. “That’s not what I meant. You and Presley are… different. She’s family. But you—you’re the one I want to protect.”
He was scrambling now, talking way too fast.
Blaire sniffled and sobbed through her words. “It’s… all my fault. I… I ruined everything between you and my sister.
“If you hadn’t said… you loved me… If you hadn’t promised… you’ll stay by my side forever, I never would’ve done it. I didn’t want to hurt my sister! I’m a monster!