Page 154 of A Convenient Secret

A part of me hopes he will stop me. It’s like I’ve reached the limit of agony, and my body and mind scream for a break.

But Declan doesn’t say anything. He watches me until the elevator door closes, but his broken expression haunts me long after.

The expression of a broken man who has lived through loss before.

I hold it together while in the car. I hold it together while the crew helps me settle on board. I hold it together to the point of absolute numbness.

I almost saw his side, but then he pulled out his kids. At that mastery of manipulation, something in me snapped.

Regardless of what went down, I don’t think I will ever recover from this. I will never love like this again.

Declan’s shattered expression is forever etched in my mind. Zach and Zoya’s tears will torment me.

“Ms. Spinelli, Mrs. Quinn is on her way and asks us to hold the take-off. It will be another ten minutes. CanI get you anything?”

I frown. “Just water. Thank you.”

Mrs. Quinn?

Is it Saar or Dorothy? The Quinns share this jet, but it makes no sense for any of them to join me. Fuck, I hope it’s not Mr. Quinn. I can’t handle more wounds.

A black Escalade pulls to a stop on the tarmac, and Saar and Cora get out. What? Both of them hurry up the stairs.

“Lils.” Saar rushes to me and wraps me in an embrace. “We didn’t want you to do this alone.”

I sob.

“I’m sure we’ll get to him on time. I read theGuardianonline this morning, and there is no mention of anything,” Cora says.

They are here because of my father. “I’m sure the family is keeping it hushed,” I say, and the dam breaks, and I bawl.

They usher me to the long seat along the windows, each of my friends on one side of me, rubbing my back. I don’t know how long I cry, but I keep at it until I’m so exhausted my body screams with pain.

“Declan and I—” I sob.

I can’t utter the words, but my friends seem to grasp it, regardless.

“Let’s take off, and you can tell us everything.” Saar kisses my temple, squeezing my shoulders.

“Or whatever you feel comfortable with,” Cora adds.

“You’re really coming with me?”

“Of course,” Cora says. “Celeste is sorry, but she couldn’t leave Amelie.”

“What about your bistro?” I sniffle.

“Sanjay can manage today, and I’m closed tomorrow anyway, and we’ll figure it out afterward. This is where I want to be.”

“And I prerecorded two episodes last week, so this is where I want to be,” Saar says.

“Thank you. This is not where I want to be.” I sniffle again, stupid tears doing whatever they want. “I married Declan to help him with his custody battle.”

“But Kendra gave up her parental rights,” Saar says.

“He forgot to mention that.” I sigh and let my head fall back against the seat, heavy with sadness and fatigue.

“But why?” Cora asks. “Why did he need a wife?”