Page 26 of Forever, Never, Always (Forever #2)

I carry him upstairs and lay him in his cot. Sofia took his pyjamas over to Mum’s, so she changed him before we left, knowing he would go straight down when we got home.

He closes his eyes immediately, and I smile as I lay a blanket over him. I back out the room, watching as Sofia runs a hand over his cheek. “Love you,” she whispers.

I stand in the doorway, watching the two of them, this quiet, domestic moment I never knew I’d crave so much.

And it hits me—this is the life I want. Not in the distant ‘maybe someday’ kind of way. In the right now ‘don’t let this slip away’ kind of way.

Sofia joins me in the hallway, and I reach for her hand, tugging her gently to me. “I meant what I said before,” I tell her. “You and Harry . . . you belong. With me. In all of it. The chaos, the noise, the too many potatoes, and my mum’s obsession with overfeeding everyone.”

Her eyes search mine. “Even if Zoe finds out?”

“I’m not pretending that won’t be hard,” I admit. “But I’m not letting you go. Not after this. Not after tonight.” She nods slowly, but I see the flicker of doubt in her. “We’ll face it,” I say. “Together.”

And when she kisses me, soft and slow, I know it’s not just about love anymore. It’s about choosing it. Every day.

Zoe

I shouldn’t have been there. I down my half glass of white wine.

I shouldn’t have snooped. I grab a glass of Champagne off a passing waitress.

Looking around the room of people I don’t know, I wonder what the fuck I get out of all this.

Why am I still here when this isn’t my party and these aren’t my people?

A passing girl stops, smiling wide. “Oh my god, you’re the party queen,” she exclaims, her voice full of fake excitement. “Can we get a selfie?”

I nod, forcing a smile as she leans into me with her phone held high, snapping away.

She shows me the shots, and I nod in approval.

She has no idea she’s captured the weekend my heart shattered for a second time.

Everyone who looks at that picture won’t see my pain.

But isn’t that the point of all this? I down the Champagne, wincing as the bubbles tickle my throat.

It’s a show, a pretend life with fame and recognition.

But behind the camera is a different story.

We’re all just falling apart, some faster than others.

I got the answers I wanted , I think bitterly.

It’s what I wanted, wasn’t it ? I sat in the dark for twenty minutes, knees to chest, listening to them.

Laughing. Whispering. Moaning . The sound of her breathless giggles made my stomach turn, and the way he said her name, Christ , so low and tender, like she’s his everything.

“O.M.G., it’s you,” says another influencer, sidling up to me for a picture.

She doesn’t even bother asking for permission, just begins flashing her camera while she wraps her arm around my waist, pulling me tightly against her.

I smile. Of course, I do . “I love your work. I’m about to hit a million myself and I’d love you to organise my party.

” I hand her a business card, and she bites on her lower lip like she’s been given the best gift ever.

“I’m thinking something glitzy. With animals.

” I give a slight nod. “Like monkeys?” The demands just get crazier.

How the hell will she keep monkeys under control?

“It can be done,” I say carefully, wanting to seem willing to create her dreams. “However, think about how it might look to some of your followers. Animal rights is huge, and if you upset that community, it could ruin you.”

She gasps. “I didn’t even think about that. I don’t want to get cancelled.”

“Give me a call and we’ll go through some ideas,” I tell her, posing for another picture with someone else.

I move nearer to the exit. It’s acceptable to slip away now that everyone appears to be drunk and enjoying themselves.

Usually, I stay as late as everyone else, swept up in the party.

Tonight, all I want is to go home and . .

. cry. Because since I left Sofia’s, I haven’t.

I threw myself into this event, ignored my aching heart.

Why does betrayal sting so much more than anything else?

They’ve built their goddamn fairytale ending on the ashes of what Ric and I had.

And what, now I should smile and give my blessing?

I’m not happy for her. I should be, and if it was anyone else, I’d be elated.

But why him ? Like there aren’t enough men in the whole of England, so she had to steal mine. The one guy I actually fell for.

I get back to my apartment and throw myself on my bed, not bothering to get undressed, or even kick my heels off. I stare up at the ceiling and allow the tears to leak slowly from my eyes. I can’t even call my best friends because they’re both in on it.

Betrayed by the three people I love most in the world.

I open my phone. No calls. No texts from Sofia asking to meet so we can talk.

And that’s her plan, right, to meet and tell me everything?

Will she tell me the actual truth? That they’ve been fucking for weeks?

That Meg, and probably Hugo, know all about it?

I’m sure all the Chadwicks know too. I suddenly sit up, questions plaguing me.

Has she slotted into his family in the way I couldn’t . . . or wouldn’t?

They think I’m so stupid. So na?ve.

But if there’s one thing more destructive than a lie, it’s a perfectly timed truth. And it’s about time they heard a few of mine.