“That place was my dream. It was my sister’s dream for me to have it. And I blew it.” My free fingers curl into a fist. “All this time you’ve been comforting me while lining your own pockets from my loss.”
“That’s not what happened,” he argues.
“You tricked me into selling it by sending decoys. You fucking manipulated me. Did you pat yourself on the back afterward? Let’s face it, no one is allowed to beat Ivan Harley. No one is allowed to say no.”
“Amy,” he sighs, “why does it matter? I own the gym, but I’m never there.”
“You were there yesterday.”
“You followed me?” he spits. His body tenses, and he takes another step toward me. I hold my hand up to warn him off.
“Don’t flatter yourself. Follow you…” I snort and lift my wine glass to my lips, then drain the last few dregs. “I was leaving work and decided I needed to see how the place looked. Imagine my shock when I saw you skipping down the front steps.”
“I had a business meeting with the new owners,” he mumbles.
I pause to process his words. “New owners?”
“Yes, I’m selling it.”
“Made your money, have you? Has it been a worthwhile investment for you?”
“No, I’m taking a loss on the place so it can move on. I knew this would be an issue between us. I hoped to get rid of it before you ever found out I owned it.”
“Oh, that makes it all right then.” I roll my eyes. “Is that what you do, Ivan? When something outstays its use, do you get rid of it? You’ve proven your point, so you can move on?”
“Amy, I didn’t do this to hurt you.” He takes a deep breath. His strong chest rises and falls. Sad blue eyes focus on me as he steps closer. “I’m not your ex-husband. I don’t throw people away because they can’t give me a child.”
My stomach hits the floor. Did he actually just say that to me? Tears flood my eyes instantly. My grip tightens on the stem of the wine glass until I’m scared it will snap.
“Buying the gym was a poor move, but it doesn’t make me a bad person.”
“No,” I say venomously, “it makes you ruthless. A cunning bastard. What makes you an asshole that you’ve been fucking me for months and never thought to tell me.”
I wipe at my traitorous watery eyes with my sleeve. “That building may just be bricks and mortar to you, Ivan, but it meant something to me. I let it go at a time when my life was spiraling out of control. Choosing who bought it gave me one last scrap of control.”
“You’re overreacting,” he says, and my temper detonates.
“Overreacting! Can’t you see this isn’t about you buying the fucking gym? It’s about you not telling me when you had the chance. We said no secrets. No topic off-limits.” My voice shakes. “You lied to me.”
“I never lied,” he shouts, slamming his hand down on the wooden sideboard. The silver photo frame with the picture of Bex and me crashes to the floor. Glass shatters.
He crouches, picks up the frame, then gathers pieces of broken glass. “Ouch.” Blood drips from his finger, small dots decorating the floor.
“Just go,” I whisper. “Go, please.”
He looks up, those blue eyes pleading, frightened.
“I can’t trust you. Leave now. We’re finished.” Pain surges through my chest; every muscle aches with the real time loss. It’s like my ribs are being cracked one by one, disintegrating piece by piece.
“Sweetheart, please. I know you’re upset, but—”
“Upset?” I gasp. “I’m fucking livid. I won’t be with a liar. I’ve been ripped apart before; I won’t be again. We’re done. Go.”
He reaches for my hand. I step back. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Don’t. I won’t answer. Leave your key on the way out.”
Chapter thirty-nine
