—but she lunged. Her mouth crashed against mine, hungry, insistent. For a beat, I froze, fury and disbelief tangling, before I shoved her shoulders back.
That’s when I heard it.
My name.
Sharp. Cutting through the mess.
Vera.
My whole body jolted. I looked up. She stood there, wide-eyed, the world collapsing around her.
Of course. Out of every possible moment, she had to walk in on this.
Vera
I knew it was a mistake.
After our argument in New York, I caved in, giving Alistair another chance after receiving his short text message. Visiting him at the ranch? I thought it would be worth a shot. Perhaps Alistair’s anger stemmed from feeling out of control or unlovable. It could’ve been an experience that triggered him to behave irrationally.
The Scott residence wasn’t hard to find. Google Maps made sure of that. Feeling brave, I drove my new Fiat down Orchard Avenue, heart hammering harder with every turn. What I didn’t expect was the sight waiting for me.
Alistair.
Locked in a French kiss with another woman.
She looked like she’d stepped off a magazine cover—bikini-model perfect, with glossy brown hair spilling down her back and wide, doe-brown eyes that seemed to beg for sympathy even while her mouth devoured his.
“Alistair?” I called out, interrupting the lovers’ tryst.
“Vera,” he yelped. He cleared his throat and distanced himself from the woman, who turned toward me.
“Hello, Vera,” the brunette snarled. “I don’t believe we’ve met yet. I’m Erin. Are you one of Scotty’s fans? Hmm? You’ll need a ticket to get in the queue.”
“It didn’t take you long to replace me with someone else,” I snapped at Alistair, glaring at the woman.
“Oh, you poor soul. I believe you misunderstand the situation. Scotty never replaced you because he was never yours,” Erin mocked.
“Erin, leave her alone,” Alistair said.
“You can’t seem to keep your dick in your pants,” I scoffed, shaking my head.
“Honey, you’re upsetting the baby,” Erin taunted.
I felt all my blood drain out of my body as cold pain shuddered my spine. Words slowly formed in my mouth. “Wh-what baby?”
“Didn’t you know? I’m having Scotty’s baby,” she announced. She gloated in satisfaction while rubbing her nearly flat stomach.
“Is it true?” I turned to Alistair, whose face fell. Words failed to emerge from his mouth.
“Is it?” I repeated.
“Vera, I’m going to be a father again.”
I had to get out of there. Holding both my hands up in defeat, I turned away from the couple and sprinted, as fast as my rapidly beating heart would let me, to my car.He played you like a fiddle, a sinister voice whispered as I turned on theignition. Alistair had fucked with my heartstrings, snipping each one ruthlessly.
YOU BLOODY BASTARD
Alistair
