Page 11 of Shattered Dreams

Of course, it is—that’s the only reason Roman bothered to tell me.

The bastard.

I squeeze my eyes shut. I don't want to open them or face the world outside this room.

Aunt Jane squeezes my shoulder, her sigh heavy with sadness.

"I can't imagine how you feel, Ava. We're all here for you. We all...we all believed..." Her words trail off, lost somewhere between anger and heartbreak.

"That he'd changed," I finish flatly. "That he was a good husband. Me too."

We sit in silence until I hear a knock at the front door. Scott's voice rumbles downstairs, then another voice floats up.

"Where is she?"

Shannon. My best friend.

Moments later she's bursting into the room, her arms outstretched, gathering me against her. I bury my face into her curls, the familiar scent of her perfume cracking something inside me.

"I'm here, sweetheart. I've got you."

"I need to knoweverything, Shannon," I whisper.

She pulls back, cupping my face. "Then maybe you should hear it from him."

"I don't want to speak tohim. I don't give a shit."

Her eyes glisten with tears as she glances at Aunt Jane. "He won't leave until you do. He's here. Scott's already laid into him."

My stomach twists. "Roman’shere?"

Shannon grimaces. "Waiting in the kitchen."

"Fuck."

I haul myself out of bed, forcing a shower, scrubbing at my skin like I can wash the marriage and deceit off me. By the time I trudge downstairs, Poppy is bouncing at the door with Scott.

"Hey, baby," I say as she runs into my arms, wrapping me tight.

"Scott said I can have chocolate spread every day!"

I glance up at Scott, grateful for him.

"Aunt Amanda's excited," he chuckles. "Come on, kiddo. Go say bye to Daddy."

The word Daddy is a slap—a harsh reminder that he exists, that he’s really here.

Poppy scurries toward the kitchen. I watch her go, bile rising as I imagine Roman crouching down, his arms open, that same cologne rubbing off on my baby.

Scott's hands settle on my shoulders. "Poppy can stay with us for as long as you need her to. I swear, Ava—I could kill?—"

"Ready!" Poppy sings, skipping back to us.

Scott swallows his words, smiling tightly as he takes her hand.

"Be a good girl, okay? I love you," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

She beams at me before waving to Aunt Jane and Shannon. We stand together, watching them leave.