Page 5 of Make Me Yours

“Wow. Okay, I guess we’re done here.” Even though there’s so much more I want to say, I keep it trapped inside. Instead, I reach up and tear my work badge from my blouse before tossing it onto his desk.

As I spin on my heel and stride to the door, Devon says, “I’ll have all your belongings boxed up from the apartment. Just let me know where to send them.”

Un-fucking-believable.

I straighten my spine. “Once I figure it out, you’ll be the first to know.”

Even though it’s tempting to slam the door until it rattles on its hinges, I close it quietly behind me.

Fuck him.

And her.

Oh God… Devon and Marissa are not only having an affair, they’re having a baby together. I want to double over with the pain that floods my system.

Is this really the same man who, just six months ago, laughed when I brought up the possibility of having children before letting me know that parenthood wasn’t in his five-year plan?

And now he’s having a baby with another woman.

My mind continues to spin and my hands tremble as I step inside the elevator. It takes forever as it descends to the lobby.

As I pass by Mike for a second time, he glances at the Chicago Railers jersey I’m wearing beneath my jacket. “Have fun at the game tonight, Ms. Monroe.”

“Thanks, I will.” I’m barely able to hold back the tears that prick my eyes.

When I finally step onto the street, the cool night air hitsme hard, grounding me just enough to realize that my life has changed in the blink of an eye.

I’m jobless.

Homeless.

And the man I thought I’d one day marry is now my ex.

The weight of it all crashes down on me in an instant, leaving me frozen and unable to think about what happens next for me. Emotion bubbles up, threatening to break loose, and that’s the last thing I want. I refuse to break down on this street, in front of the strangers rushing by. Or where Devon and Marissa can walk out of his office and see the damage they’ve inflicted firsthand.

Even though it feels impossible, I square my shoulders and walk down the street a few blocks to a small patch of greenery with a park bench. When my phone rings, I silence it without glancing at the screen.

There’s no way I can talk to anyone right now.

Not when I’m feeling so scraped raw inside.

Not to mention, like such an idiot.

The entire time I sit on the bench, staring into space, I can’t help but comb over the previous couple months, looking for clues of his infidelity. All the looks and conversations between them that I played off, scolding myself for being jealous. Clearly, I was right to be suspicious, and I should have listened to my instincts. Maybe then I wouldn’t have been so blindsided.

I could have better protected myself.

It’s only when I’m surrounded by total darkness that I fight my way out of the fog that has descended and glance at my phone.

It’s a jolt to realize that three hours have slipped by and I’ve missed the game.

I need to go.

There’s no way I can stay here.

But where to?

Devon’s apartment is off the table. They’re probably there right now, gleefully packing up my things like it’s some kind of celebration.