Oh, how right she was.
With her, I didn’t just lose the woman I loved, but also my best friend.
I know I still have Nova, who’s like a brother to me, but there are things I can’t share with him. They came easily whenever I talked to Iris.
The most devastating pain is not having anyone to talk to.
“I found out from my wife, instead of you,” Nova accuses, dragging me back from my dark thoughts. “Did you think I was going to judge? Tell someone? I even understand why you did it. But to hide it from me for three goddamn years.”
“It wasn’t only my secret to share.”
“Bullshit!” His curse echoes in the empty court. “We’re brothers. You should’ve told me. Trusted me.”
I put myself in his shoes and I understand why he’s furious. But what’s done is done. One day, it’ll all be history. “I can’t change the past, Nova.”
“Trust me, I know that better than anyone. But you’re fucking up your present and future. You’ve shut everyone out. I’ve barely seen you in the past few months. And whenever I have, you’ve been hungover. Drowning yourself in booze isn’t going to bring Iris back.”
My muscles pull taut. “Don’t talk about her.”
“So, it is about her.” His voice is laced with smugness he dragged a truth out of me.
“We’re not discussing her.”
“She’s engaged to Kian, Nathan,” he says calmly, the pity in his eyes pissing me off. “You need to move on because she has.”
Lurching upright from the bench, I shove past him. “We’re done talking.”
“You can’t go on like this, brother. You need to get your act together.”
You reap what you sow.
I sowed the seeds of deception and became the villain. Now I shall reap the consequences. No actions of getting my act together will save me from it.
Good thing I don’t want to be saved.
Chapter Five
Arya
My boss-turned-mentor invites me for brunch after I reach out about wanting to return to work. Most bosses would have a fired an employee for going away for so long, but mine is willing to give me a second chance.
I’m full of jitters as the beautiful hostess leads me to her table at the lavish restaurant called Golden Elm—a popular hotspot for casual business meetings.
Radha Sharma looks up from her drink when she senses us approaching. A spellbinding smile tugs her lips up.
I take it as a good sign, pushing my nerves down.
I’m well-groomed in keeping my emotions concealed. It’s a must for my job as a publicist. I need to be the perfect picture of calm and composed in the midst of the chaos around me. My training will come in handy today.
“Hello, Radha,” I greet as the hostess pulls out my chair.
After I thank her, she asks, “Can I get you a drink?”
“Just water, please.”
With a polite nod, the hostess leaves.
“How have you been, Arya?” Radha softly asks. Sympathy shines in my boss’s eyes as she rests her palm over mine. We’ve formed a friendship while working together closely. “I’m deeply sorry about what happened.”
