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Before I can respond, Daniel walks in, spotting us and striding over. He greets us with a small hug, then takes a seat across from me.
“You look as shitty as he does,” he says, and waves over the server and orders water.
I raise an eyebrow at his choice. “Water?”
Daniel nods, looking pleased with himself. “I haven’t had a drink in nine weeks.”
Lisa and I exchange impressed glances, congratulating him. “That’s great,” I say, genuinely happy for him. “How’s work?”
“It’s surprisingly fulfilling,” he says. “I see now why my brother’s a workaholic.”
It’s then that the question tumbles out before I can stop myself. “How is he?” I hold my breath waiting for his answer.
Daniel’s expression softens. “Terrible,” he says bluntly. “He misses you. That’s actually why I wanted to talk to you.”
A wild hope springs up in my chest, hammering against my ribcage. “He misses me?”
Daniel nods. “More than he’ll ever admit. Dad’s retiring, you know. He’s making Andrew CEO, but Andrew’s more miserable than ever.”
A pang comes over me. A bittersweet mixture of pride and sadness. Andrew had worked so hard for this moment, for his father’s approval and trust. He deserves it. I wish I’d been there to share that moment with him.
“But missing me isn’t the same as forgiving me,” I say.
Daniel looks at me thoughtfully. “If it were me, I’d forgive you,” he says.
I meet his eyes. “I know.”
Lisa clears her throat, glancing between us. “I think you two just need to talk. Really talk.”
I shake my head. “There’s nothing left to say. Andrew has already moved on.” I pause, gathering the courage to voice the part that hurts the most. “He’s even renovating the Lakeside Riviera. The one hotel we agreed he wouldn’t touch.”
I feel the sting of betrayal all over again, like a wound that refuses to heal. “It’s clear that he doesn’t care anymore.”
Daniel leans forward, his voice gentle. “I don’t think that’s true. Andrew cares more than you know. He’s hurt, Em. And sometimes, when you’re hurt, you make decisions out of anger, not logic.”
I grip my glass tightly, the ache in my chest throbbing. “It’s been weeks now.”
Lisa places a hand on mine, her eyes full of empathy. “If he truly loves you, he’ll come around.”
I want to believe them, but doubt gnaws at the edges of my mind. If Andrew really wanted to reconcile, wouldn’t he have reached out by now?
But then again, I know Andrew. He’s as stubborn as he is principled, and once he’s made up his mind, it’s hard to get him to change it.
Chapter 40: Emily
It’s Friday, long past the time I should have left for the office. I step out of the shower and wrap myself in a towel. I head back to the bedroom while toweling my hair.
My phone screen lights up on the night table. A missed call. From Andrew.
My heart leaps, thumping erratically. I stare at the notification, barely breathing. I take a steadying breath and hit call back before I can overthink it.
The line rings twice before I hear his achingly familiar voice.
“Hey, Emily,” he says. “How have you been?”
The simplest of questions, but I can barely find my voice. “I’ve been good,” I say, the lie twisting something deep inside me. “You?”
“I’ve been all right.” There’s a pause, and when he speaks again, his voice is softer. “It’s good to hear your voice.”