“And here I thought you were trying to build a life with me for our family. I didn’t know you were keeping count to hold it over my head,” she muttered.
“Iwantedto do it. But I don’t like this…” I said, pointing her up and down.
“What?”
“The ungratefulness.” My face pulled into a look of disgust. “And I thought you weren’t a gold-digger…”
I knew the words were poison as soon as they left my mouth and were headed straight for Sadie’s heart. I watched as they hit their target and her face crumpled at the accusation.
“Fuck you,” she said, her voice shaking, with anger or sadness, I didn’t know.
I wanted to apologize. To take it back. I didn’t mean what I said. I knew her better than that. But my anger took over and the words were out, and there was nothing I could do to fix it. At least, not right now, when we were both heated. So heated that it made me remember we weren’t really alone. I looked past herthrough the open windows to see if anyone was watching our exchange. No one seemed to be paying any attention.
“Of course, that’s where your attention goes. Tothem.Not to the woman whose heart you just broke. Again.”
“Sadie…”
“I’mdone,”She stood from her chair. “Done trying to find redemption in you. Every time I think I see the good in you, you go and tarnish it. I won’t raise a baby with someone like that.”
I stood to follow her, but she was already at the door. Before she opened it, she said over her shoulder. “This is over. I’m moving out.”
Then she was gone.
Chapter 39
Sadie
Ileft the office in tears. It seemed to be becoming a pattern. Go into Jeremiah’s office, and come out crying. I couldn’t give two damns what people thought or what they were speculating as I rushed toward the elevator, clutching my purse, desperate to get out of there. Unlike Jeremiah, who was only concerned about everyone’s perception of him. I realized those opinions would always come before me. Before our baby.
It was a heartbreaking realization, especially when I was beginning to think we were finally on the same page. We weren’t even in the same book.
As I pushed through the glass doors of the lobby, I breathed in the fresh air outside and tried to clear out the words that still laid heavy in my heart. I unbuttoned the lapel of my blazer, trying to free myself from the suffocating feeling that enveloped me. I pulled my phone from my purse and called Erica. I needed totalk to someone. If anyone would understand, it was her. She had been through her own ups and downs in pregnancy with a man she couldn’t seem to figure things out with, until finally, they got it together.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Can you meet me?” I asked urgently.
“Is everything okay? Is baby okay? Areyouokay?”
“Baby is fine. Me, not so much.”
“I’m coming.” I could hear her ruffling papers, and guessed she was at work at the newspaper she ran.
“Thank you,” I said gratefully. “Usual spot?”
“Save me a seat.”
I smiled weakly and hung up, heading down the block to the nearby coffee shop we frequented. I found a small table at the back of the shop, ordering a hot peppermint tea for me and a vanilla latte for Erica. Fifteen minutes passed before I saw her walk through the wooden door, looking around worriedly. I lifted my hand and gave her a little wave before she strode toward me, her dark hair bouncing with each step.
“Sadie,” she said breathlessly, taking the seat across from me.
“Did you sprint here?” I asked with a weak smile.
“Practically!” she panted. “What is going on?”
“It’s over. The whole thing with Jeremiah. It’s done,” I said, keeping my voice steady as it threatened to break.
“What? Why? I thought things were going well.” She slid off her white linen blazer and slung it on the back of her chair, revealing her tan skin damp with sweat.
