Page 92 of Free to Judge

“Don’t!” I choke out, each word laced with seething pain. “Don’t you dare tell me it wasn’t what I saw.” Clenching my eyes shut to gather the fragments of my fading composure, I demand, “You have one chance. Why?”

He remains mute—exactly as I had feared. He stays still until I finally scream, “Say something!”

His eyes brim with sorrow and regret, nearly crushing me with their weight, but his next words drive the knife of betrayal deeper still. “I had to. I didn’t have a choice.”

All my heartbreak and anguish come out when I ask, “Why not let me go before demolishing me entirely by sleeping with me?”

A sound of mortal anguish escapes his lips. “What the hell does he have the right to be broken about?”

I don’t realize I’ve spoken aloud until he’s moaning my name, “Kalie. Firebrand. Please…”

My head whips sideways, as if I’ve taken a full slap to the face. Swallowing past the lump in my throat to respond, I open and close my lips, but nothing comes out. Not a sound.

I can tell my pain is washing over him despite the distance between us. Finally, a bitter laughter erupts from me, filling the air between us. “In my family, we believe nothing is worth more than a sacrifice for love. I just wish I wasn’t the only one in love and wasn’t anything more than the collateral damage you used on your path for revenge.”

“No, Kalie. I lo?—”

I cut him off. I don’t want to hear the words I should have heard at any time but never because of Declan’s desperation. “Life’s about the damned choices we make, Declan. You picked the one that suits you. I hope you’re fine living with that regret.”

With that, I pressEnd.

Emotionally drained, I mentally make a list of everything I need to do before I leave. Then, only then, will I allow myself to address Declan’s betrayal. Then, when I feel safe enough, I’ll crumble in the embrace of those who truly love me.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Once I regain my wits,I head upstairs to my office. The first thing I do is request two weeks off. I abhor the feeling I’m abandoning my mother and the rest of my family at the start of our wedding season rush, but I can’t stay here. I can’t barricade myself in my home if Declan is going to be pounding at my door every single moment when he thinks he can break through my shell, nor can I leave if he’s going to try to ambush me.

I keep it short and sweet, requesting leave for “an unexpected personal reason to begin immediately. I plan to have my laptop with me for any emergencies.”

Within moments, my time off has been approved by Aunt Cassidy who writes,Leave the laptop at home. Just take care of whatever you need to.Since she CCs every member of the executive team, this opens the floodgate on a new wave of texts asking if I’m okay.

I’m obviously not.

I’m trying to figure out what to say when my mother replies with the news link to Sexy & Social in the family chat.

Enough said.

If I thought my phone blew up because of Declan before, it’s nothing in comparison to the way texts are coming in fast and furious in our chat.

Laura:

What the actual hell?

Aunt Ali, tell me this is BS.

Mama:

Wish I could, sweetie.

Laura:

I’m not reading this.

Kalie:

Do you want me to share how I reacted?

Mama: