Page 142 of Perfect Satisfaction

More importantly, what does my wife have to say about it? A sick feeling rises in the back of my throat. I immediately go toMoore You Want’s page and feel my heart wither a little.

Supermodel Liza Hina was seen out about town at Tavern on the Green earlier today.

Was it for business or pleasure?

Since it was with StellaNova owner Arek Ronan, it could have been either.

—Moore You Want

CHAPTERSEVENTY-TWO

Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

If I go for a third time, would that make me the court jester? I wonder if I should take lessons in juggling.

—Moore You Want

“Sula? Are you awake?”

I keep my eyelids relaxed and pretend the sleep that never came last night.

I knew it would happen. After all, I watched it occur over and over between my father and mother.

I just never understood your pain, Mama.

His breath wafts over my ear. “Sweetheart? I have to go into the office.”

Yelling won’t help. Neither will confronting him.

I certainly learned that from seeing West and Meera duke it out time and time again.

My heart feels like it’s running a marathon even as I lie perfectly still.

Arek persists in trying to “wake” me. “Sweetheart, you might have mis... God, I wish you were awake.”

Misunderstood? That’s what West used to say to my mother. As she used to inform me, “It doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t change how much I love him.”

I never appreciated that until now.

He pushes a lock of hair behind my ear. “I... there are some things we need to talk about.”

No. There’s not.

I burrow my head deeper into the pillow.

With a sigh, he stands from the bed. “I love you, Sula.”

Within moments, I hear the front door close.

“That’s my shame, Arek. I love you too. I always will.”

That’s when I let the tears come. I thought I had cried all I could within the safety of Angie’s arms last night.

I was wrong.

CHAPTERSEVENTY-THREE