Page 83 of Ripple Effect

“It’s not like—” Iris begins to protest.

And it’s one time too many. I can’t hear from this woman, this person who was supposed to be my best friend, a sister not of my blood, more lies.

My right hand flies out and backhands her across the face. She stumbles back more out of shock than pain, much to my regret.

“Lies! Everything you’ve hid from me is a damned lie. Everything you did is a broken vow. All of it coming to light—would either of you have said anything if I didn’t walk in on it?”

Despite her hand pressing against her right cheek, she imperceptibly shakes her head.

And I deflate.

Finally, the truth. I just had no idea how much it would hurt or how exhausted I would feel after.

Iris looks so beautiful even right now. Her long black hair has wisps of curls around her ears and neck. Her hazel eyes are fathomless. “I loved you,” I whisper.

“Libby, please just let me talk.”

I shake my head. “I loved you because there was kindness that lived in your heart, daring that lived in your soul, and warmth in your hugs. You were the sister I never had and always wanted. I opened my heart and my home to you. My mistake was in believing the bonds of family I extended to you were returned.”

“Stop. God, Libby, you’re killing me.”

“You mean the way you already did me?” We’re drawing a small crowd, but I don’t care. I can see the manager making his way forward. Someone probably reported me for assaulting another customer.One more thing to call the lawyers for, I think sardonically. But I’m going to get all of this toxicity out before I’m eaten alive by it.

I can already feel it crawling through my gut.

“I would believe a weak man could cheat and lie, but a sister? I never would believe that of someone who claimed to love not only me but my family, who watched the horror I went through after I was cheated on by my fiancé the first time. And yet, you touched my husband?” A murmur goes up in the crowd.

I ignore it.

“So, no Iris. I don’t need to listen to you. I was your best friend. I was your family. And I was the godmother to your child. Now? All I am is the woman telling you to go right to hell where you deserve. And I don’t care if you’re hurting—you deserve to be.” Leaving my cart exactly where it is, I push through the gaggle of people, some of whom are applauding at this point to make my way toward the exit with my head held high.

I may be crumbling on the inside, but she will never see it. No one will.

56

Calhoun

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day

The team is in the common room while I am arguing with my attorney on the phone.

“I don’t want anything from the house.” I listen to my attorney while I pace. “I don’t expect Libby to give me any of her inheritance.”

I stop dead. “No, I don’t even want the fucking divorce, Lewis! Get that through your damn head! I want to talk with my wife. I refuse to sign a damn thing until I can talk with her.” At my yell, the noise from teams surrounding me drops dramatically.

“Cal,” my lawyer tries to placate me. “Libby could come after your piece of Alliance.”

“If it means I get the chance to talk to her, then let her try,” I snarl before I hang up the phone. I’m just about to hurl it across the room when Sam snags it out of my hand.

“Calm down, Cal.”

I turn and glare at him. “Why won’t she talk with me?”

Suddenly my phone rings. I snag it back from Sam, answering it without checking the Caller ID. “What?” I bark.

“Hello, Cal,” my brother-in-law, Josh, says somberly. “If this is the way you’ve been trying to reach my sister, it’s no wonder she won’t speak with you.”

Crap. I shove my hand through hair that must already be standing on end. “Josh.” When I say his name, Sam’s eyes bug out. “I thought it was my attorney calling me back,” I admit.