Colin kissed her on the forehead before letting her go. She settled back in her chair just as her phone vibrated against the table. An unopened email from Charlotte awaited her, and she thought nothing of this as she clicked on it.
But apparently, its contents turned out to be everything.
Subject:An official transcript of all correspondence between Heart's Match and Clients Soukoulis, Colin and Tiangco, Hope
Hope could feel her face draining of color as she read what her husband initially had to say.
I asked for someone to make Princess jealous. But you're choosing to send me someone that could turn me into a laughingstock?
"Hope?" Colin immediately headed to her. "What is it?"
She wanted to say the words, but it hurt too much just thinking about them. Her fingers loosened, her phone dropping to the floor with a painful thud.
Colin bent down to retrieve it. And she knew the exact moment he realized what had happened, with his handsome face turning ashen.
"Hope—"
"D-Don't."Because if he lied, she would know it, and that would make things even worse.
Her husband swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry, too." For herself. For him. For everything.
I don't understand, God. I just don't. Please tell me what to do now.
She tried to look at her husband...and realized that just the sight of him hurt. The knowledge had her jerking to her feet, but when he also stood up to reach for her—
Hope instantly recoiled, the mere thought of having to bear his touch making her want to throw up."Don't!"
Colin's arms fell stiffly against his sides.
"I need space," she said stiltedly.
"Let me drive—"
"I can't even bear to look at you!"
The words were already out of her mouth before she even realized what she was saying.
No. No. No.
"I see."
The pain in his tone was impossible to ignore. But she was just hurting too much to hurt for him, too.
"I can't let you drive. You understand that, right?"
Hope nodded.
"My driver will take you wherever you want. At least let me do that."
She nodded again, and with her gaze downcast, she saw his fists clenching hard until his knuckles had turned completely white.
"Hope, please. I love—"
No!
She turned and walked away, not wanting him to finish the words in her hearing.
