Page 15 of Shattered Dreams

"Let's watch a movie."

I follow her into the den, flipping over every wedding photo, every frame with Roman's face. I want to scream at that version of me—the smiling, trusting idiot frozen in those perfect pictures. I want to reach in and shake her.

God, I hate him.

I'm still sitting in the same spot, knees hugged to my chest, almost two hours later when my phone pings with a new message from Roman.

"What's he saying?" Shannon asks sharply, stuffing potato chips into her mouth as she nods toward the phone.

I glance down. "He's sorry. He didn't love her. He doesn't know how it happened. Same old lies," I mutter.

Shannon sighs, brushing my hair back from my face, giving me a tired but affectionate smile. "You're so beautiful, you know that? Don't forget it."

I swallow, forcing a nod. "Yeah, well...maybe that's not enough. It's not like me and Roman have been all wild sex and passion lately. Things change when you have a kid."

Shannon nods knowingly. "You don't have to justify shit. He's a grown man who made his choices."

"You know what I need?" I ask quietly.

She grins gently. "More wine?"

"Yes."

I hand her my glass as she stands. "I'll bring the whole bottle."

I manage a faint smile as she disappears into the kitchen. But the second she's gone, the fear returns—clawing up my throat, squeezing my chest.

I can't breathe.

I stare at the blank TV screen, memories flooding in brutally. His late nights. His short temper last week when I dared question him. His way of making me feel like I was the problem.

Had he been with her then?

A sick ache pangs in my gut.

Did he tell her he loved her? That she was beautiful? Did he look at her like she was everything to him?

I close my eyes, willing the thought away, but it festers, grows, multiplies. I know that look. I've seen it in his eyes before—when it wasme.

He was supposed to bemyperson.Myforever.

Shannon returns, refilling my glass to the brim. Her eyes study me with quiet worry.

"What's going through that head of yours?"

I stare into the wine for a beat.

"She knew about me, didn't she?"

It's not even a question, but Shannon answers anyway.

"Of course, she did. Everyone knows you guys. You were literal goals. She's a fucking homewrecker." Her lips curl into a sneer. "Honestly, I'm this close to showing up at her shitty little apartment and knocking her teeth out."

"Don't tempt me," I mutter, gripping the glass tighter. "But...the decision was his, Shannon. She didn't say our vows. He did."

Shannon's mouth twists in frustration, sipping her wine as I continue quietly.

"I think he only told me because she sold her story to the press."