Chapter 36
My heart dropped, a cold weight settling in my chest.
I gripped the cup harder, the ceramic burning my palm.
“I was ashamed of her,” he went on, voice low, raw.
“Her condition, her wheelchair…. I wasn’t proud to show her off. I held back so much, things that would’ve made her feel safe, happy, wanted.”
He paused and I heard the faint sound of him taking a sip of his coffee before he continued.
My throat tightened, a tear slipping down my cheek, hidden behind my sunglasses.
“But I do love her,” he said, quieter now. “I just didn’t love her enough. Because unlike Damian, I was a coward who couldn’t stand up for the woman I loved.”
My heart shattered, the pieces cutting deep.
A sob caught in my throat, and I swallowed hard, my body shaking as I tried to keep it together.
Why now, Henry?
Why do you have to say this now? Why do you have to realize it so late?
My body trembled as I tried to swallow my cries.
Why is it only now—when my heart already belongs to another man—that you choose to show you care?
Why?
Vicky said something, her voice soft, like she was actually comforting him, but I was too far gone, lost in the ache of his words.
They sounded real, raw, not like some game. But could I trust it?
“Thanks, Vicky,” Henry said, his voice lighter now. “Talking to you helped. I feel… better.”
“Anytime,” she said, all sweet and sincere. “I’m glad you trust me enough to open up.”
“I gotta go.” His chair scraped the floor as he stood.
“Please, if you hear from Cindy, let me know. And if you can get Damian’s address? I’d owe you big time.”
“No problem,” Vicky chirped, but I could hear the smirk in her voice.
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
The door chimed as he left, and Vicky was behind me in a second, her hands on my shoulders.
“Poor Henry,” she said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Almost had me feeling bad for him. But nah, he’s playing that victim card like a pro, trying to guilt me into spilling where you’re at.”
I sniffed, quick and quiet, swiping at my eyes before she could see the tears.
“You think?” My voice came out small, shaky, and I hated it.
She laughed, loud and sharp, tossing her hair.
“Hell yeah, girl. Don’t tell me you’re buying that sob story? He’s just capping, hitting me with the emotional crap to trick me into giving you up.”
I bit my lip, staring at the coffee ring on the table.
His words kept echoing, I didn’t love her enough.
They felt real, like they’d clawed their way out of his chest.
But was Vicky right? Was it all an act?
My head was spinning, and I needed answers.
Know what? Screw this!
I jumped up, the chair wobbling behind me, startling Vicky so bad she clutched her chest.
“Jesus, Cin, you tryna give me a heart attack?”
I snatched my car keys from the table, my hands shaking as I headed for the door.
“Be right back.”
“Where you going?” she called, but I was already halfway out, the bell jingling behind me.