Page 42 of Breaking

Before she could respond, the office door swung open.

Mack stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable, but the flicker of disgust in his eyes was unmistakable.

Lila straightened, smoothing down her dress as if nothing had happened. "Mack," she said, her voice light, "we were just-"

"Spare me," Mack said flatly. "Troy, I need a word."

Troy exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his jaw as if to wipe her touch away "Fine."

The pub was quiet when Mack slid a pint in front of Troy, taking a seat across from him.

"Are you having an affair with my sister?" Mack asked bluntly.

Troy stiffened, his grip tightening around the glass, his eyes wide. "What? No."

Mack leaned back, watching him carefully. "The whole office thinks you are."

Troy's jaw tensed. "That's bullshit."

Mack took a slow sip of his drink, unfazed. "Is it? Because from where I'm sitting, you've spent the last few years disregarding your wife while letting Lila sink her claws in deeper and deeper."

Troy inhaled sharply. "I-"

Mack hesitated, fingers tapping against his glass before he exhaled heavily. "I should've told you this years ago."

Troy frowned. "Told me what?"

Mack's expression darkened. "Lila had a breakdown when you married Jenna. Your father had spoken about an engagement with dad and she was acting like all her dreams had come true."

Troy froze. "What?"

"She was obsessed with you, Troy. Always had been. When you got engaged, she lost it. It wasn't just disappointment-it was... bad. My parents had to send her away for a few months, some private therapy thing. She wouldn't eat. She cried all the time. She kept saying she was supposed to be with you."

Troy swallowed hard, his stomach turning.

"She was fragile, and I-" Mack hesitated again, his voice dropping. "I didn't tell you because she’s my sister. And I thought she'd get over it." His jaw clenched. "But she didn't. She just got better at hiding it."

Troy ran a hand down his face, his mind reeling.

Mack exhaled, leaning back. "And Maggie? She and Lila were thick as thieves. You think Jenna's calls not getting through was an accident?"

Troy's grip on his glass tightened until his knuckles turned white. It was like puzzle pieces had finally clicked in his mind.

He had always trusted Maggie. She had worked for him for years-sharp, efficient, professional. But now that Mack said it...

Jenna had once said Maggie didn't pass on her calls. He had thought it happened just that once. What if he was wrong?

His stomach churned.

Mack sighed. "You want my advice? Wake the hell up before you lose her for good. And check your call log for the last few months."

Troy had no response.

Because for the first time, he realized just how blind he had been.

He had spent so much time trying to control everything, to prove himself, to fix things-but when it came to the people who actually mattered, he had been completely, utterly oblivious.

And now?