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“I swear to God I would never-”

His hand lifts to silence me causing my mouth to clamp closed like my girlfriend’s.

“She is also accusing him of trespassing on her property to steal credit card statements, which he then used to buy his supposed mistress a number of items,” Hurst informs the rest of the allegations.

“I see,” Charles quietly states prior to taking a moment of silence for thought. “Is there anythingyouwould like to add, Mr. Prescott?” His eyebrows lift in an accusatory nature. “Or perhapsdispute? Is there anything you might like to say or explain to your wife in the presence of the lawoutsideof a court? A court in which you will be put under oath. A court in which lawyers will dig further into the depths of your whereabouts in both business and personal aspects.”

His eyes widen in fear.

Why do I get the feeling an affair is the least of the fucked up shit he’s into?

“I told Gwenith I wanted a divorce, and sh-sh-she just fucking lost it.”

“Edward!”

“She started throwing shit and screaming and honestly, I’m kinda afraid for my life.”

“He tried to hit me!” Gwenith immediately squeaks, switching sides. “Right before you got here! He even tried to come after me with a knife!”

“I did not, Gwenith!”

“He did! He’s a monster!”

“You’re the fucking monster, you bitch!”

Seeing the situation back to where it belongs prompts Charles to kick his chin towards the front door for the two of us to make a stealthy exit.

The second we’re settled back inside our house, I thoughtlessly grunt, “Your dad’s a really good fucking detective.”

“Yeah, it made shit like trying to hide the fact you ate the last double stuffed Oreo practically impossible.” We share a small snicker together that’s followed by her winding her arms tightly around me. “You okay?”

Instinct indicates to hug her back, yet the niggling brought on by Gwenith’s bitterness has me quietly investigating, “Is that the real reason you invited me in?”

She shifts her gaze up to mine.

“Because you were lonely? Was all that shit about wanting a friend and someone to talk to just…I don’t know…a lie?” Irritation builds in the pit of my stomach. “Just some shit you said so I’d stick around, and you wouldn’t have to be in this big ass house all alone anymore?”

Horror hops onto her expression so fast it stumbles her backwards. “How fucking dare you.”

“I-”

“How fucking dare you let that miserable old hussy get in your head like that!”

“I-”

“Get betweenuslike that!”

“Ja-”

“I didn’t just go toe to toe with one important man in my life to have the other suddenly forget that he matters too! That I have been fightingforthis relationship every step of the way! From persuading you to take food from me to reminding you that I love you, that I’vebeenin love with you basically from the first time I saw you smile, in every way I can think of! You are my person, Archer Cox.” She grabs a fist full of my white tee and yanks me closer to her. “You make me happy. You remind me it’s okay to make myself happy. And most importantly, taught me to just beme. Thereal me, not the one I spent so many years turning myself into.”

Shit…I almost fucked this up because of Mrs. Prescott, didn’t I? Fuck, I swear that woman is like the herpes she claims I have. Which I don’t. I’m completely clean in case you’ve forgotten.

Rather than say something sweet or sentimental like I probably should, I good naturedly taunt, “Did you really say hussy?”

Her infamous cringe crosses her face as it reddens. “I wanted to say harlot – you know, take it back like they do in some of the time traveling novels – but it just felt…wrong.”

“Buthussyfelt right?”