Chapter 24


    I had fooled myself into thinking that was what Bryant was, but deep down, I knew Emma


    was aware of the history between Bryant and Margaret. Emma couldn’t find the words.


    persuade me otherwise.


    When I zipped up thest of my suitcases, a car engine finally broke the silence in the yard.


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Bryant was back. Perhaps Emma had said something to him as he stormed up the stairs, his gaze


    landing on the line of suitcases before settling on my forehead, his voice surprisingly hoarse. “What


    happened to your forehead?”


    I let out a self-deprecatingugh. “Nothing. Just had an ident while you were out on your date.”


    His usually impassive eyes flickered with surprise.


    Standing by the bed, I clenched my hands. “Bryant, we need to…”


    “We need to get a divorce, I said silently.


    I had made up my mind, knowing there was no turning back. But seeing the man I’d loved- for


    seven years, my throat closed up, making it hard to utter those words.


    Was it him I was clinging to, or just the passionate version of myself when I was in love with him?


    “Jane!” Bryant’s sharp call cut through my words. He closed the distance in a few strides and


    wrapped his arms around me. “This is your home. Where do you think you’re going with all these


    suitcases?”


    “Don’t touch me!” I was hit by a mix of woodsy cologne and women’s perfume, making my stomach


    churn, “Let me go, Bryant!”


    “I won’t.” His grip was firm, rendering my struggles futile.


    A sense of helplessness washed over me. I took a deep breath. “Why bother? I’m willing to step


    aside for you two. Just let me go, will you?”


    He buried his head in the crook of my neck, his voice tight with tension. “Jane, I never thought about


    divorcing you.”


    “Really?” I wanted tough but couldn’t. My emotions surged, and I shouted hysterically, “But I’ve


    had enough. I’m tired of living like this I don’t want a marriage that’s always being interfered with by


    another person!”


    “It won’t happen again, I promise.” He held me so tightly yet seemed afraid of hurting me, loosening


    his grip just a bit.


    “It won’t?” I seized the moment to push him away, looking at him with rage, “Remember?


    10:30


    You said the same thing a week ago. And I told you there wouldn’t be a next time.”


    He probably thought I was speaking in the heat of the moment. He didn’t realize that more than


    anything, I was telling myself. If there was a next time, I couldn’t continue to fall deeper.


    He closed his eyes briefly. “Margaret attempted suicide this morning and ended up in the hospital. I


    just wanted to check on her.”


    wall


    “I know.” I shrugged, trying to sound casual. “I know all about it. Her mother saved you and after her


    attempt, of course, you had to see her. You must have been a bit but couldn’t help but give in when


    she continued to make a scene. She told you to spend


    upset the day with her, and she wouldn’t bother you again.”


    I continued under Bryant’s inscrutable gaze, “You probably didn’t believe her, but you indulged her


    anyway. Bryant, only you know why. I can’t guess. Whatever the reason, I’m tired of being caught in


    the middle. Bryant, let’s get a divorce.” As those words fell, the air seemed to freeze.


    Bryant’s towering frame stiffened, his eyes fixed on me like a hawk.


    After a moment, a mocking tone reced the warmth in his voice. “Is it because he’s back?”