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“I didn’t need to. I know how you feel about this. I know how you’ve felt about it from the start. It was a stupid idea, and it’s over now.”
“Just like that?”
“Yes.”
Her hurt suddenly shifted into anger. She thought they were in this together, but he had made this decision without a second thought. And how on earth could he know how she felt about it if he didn’t give her a chance to respond. Was this because of his family? Because she had told him that she didn’t like lying to them. The more she thought about it, the more furious she became, until she was downright fuming.
“You know what, fine,” she snapped. “Give me a pen. I’ll sign.”
She yanked the pen from Rex’s hand, scribbled her name where he directed, and threw the pen at Gus. And just like that, her time as Augustus Schultz’s wife was over.
The anger that had rushed through her body kept the tears at bay until Merritt stepped outside the building, and then she lost it. She was a mess of tears as she drove, slapping the wetness from her cheeks as she made her way home. Well, not her home anymore, and that thought brought on more tears until she was loudly sobbing.
She pulled into the driveway and rushed to her room to pack for London. Half of the clothes in her suitcase were splashed with tears by the time she finished, but she didn’t want to be there when Gus came home, even if that meant leaving for the airport much earlier than necessary.
Sitting alone at LAX for hours, staring at the planes coming and going, Merritt felt numb. It should have been a relief. He had given her all of the money she needed to keep going with her plans for Merritt Cosmetics without being obligated to stay married to him for a year. Anybody else who had agreed to such a situation probably would’ve been thrilled to get out of it early with the entirety of the money. But then, they probably wouldn’t have been stupid enough to fall in love with their fake husband.
The sadness overwhelmed her. Gus didn’t want to be married to her anymore, which meant he didn’t care for her as she had hoped. Maybe he didn’t even want to be friends anymore. The sobs began all over again at the thought of not having him in her life.
“Miss, are you all right?” An older gentleman in an airport custodial uniform stood over her.
Merritt nodded her head as she wiped at her cheeks.
“Here.” He offered her his handkerchief.
“Oh, I don’t want to get it all snotty.” She grabbed her purse. “I have a tissue in here somewhere.”
He lay the piece of fabric across her lap. “It’s yours.”
“That’s very kind of you.” She used it to dry her eyes.
“Whatever has you so sad will pass. Tomorrow is a new day.”
“Thank you.” She smiled for the first time in hours.
“Have a safe flight.” He pushed his cleaning cart across the floor in front of him as he returned to work.
She knew what he said was true, but right now, it hurt. She’d never felt this kind of pain before, this excruciating feeling of loss, and she wondered how many tomorrows it would take to get over a broken heart.
Merritt’s plane touched down at 7:30 a.m. London time, and just as she was waiting for her suitcase at baggage claim, her phone signaled a text.
Gus: I thought you should know I’m going to see my parents to tell them the truth.
Her stomach dropped. Being part of their family had been one of the best things about this agreement, but once Gus spilled the beans, they would probably never want to see her again. It would really be over for good. She felt desperate to stop him, but she knew if she called and heard his voice right now, she would break down all over again. So she texted a reply.
Merritt: Can you wait until I get back? Please. We need to talk.
Gus: I think it’s best to get it out of the way as soon as possible.
Merritt: When are you going?
Gus: Tuesday.
Merritt: They’re going to hate me.
Gus: Nah. They’ll be too busy being disappointed in me. As usual.
She didn’t reply. Her mind was whirling. She hated this. Only days ago, she thought things were changing between them. If only they could go back to that kiss at the wedding, to him telling her he more than liked her. What had happened between then and now that had made him end things?