Page 55 of Shattered Dreams

My breath catches. I pull back from Adam, heart thudding in my chest.

He follows my gaze, confused. “Are you okay?”

But I’m not listening.

Because someone is standing just beyond the edge of the patio, cloaked in shadow. Watching us silently, their fists clenched by their sides.

I squint. I can't see their face clearly—but I feel the weight of their stare.

I know that look.

A smile curves on my lips.

My husband has arrived.

20

ROMAN

Ishouldn’t be doing this.

But as soon as I hear the front door close behind her—heels clicking, her perfume still lingering in the air—I know I’m not just going to sit here and wait.

I text Amanda.

Can you take Poppy for a few hours?

Ava’s out. I just need time to clear my head.

She doesn’t ask questions. Just saysOf course, and ten minutes later, I’m dropping our daughter off at their place. Poppy’s half-asleep in her car seat, thumb in her mouth, curls falling into her eyes.

“Thanks for this,” I say to Amanda as she purses her lips together, another woman who detests me.

“It’s fine, she can stay overnight. She’s sleepy.” Her eyes tell me everything.

You’re a bastard. You blew it.

Yeah, I know. But tonight, I’m getting my wife back.

For both meandPoppy.

I kiss her forehead and say, “Daddy loves you.” Then I drive away.

I followed Ava’s location. I didn’t realise she still had hers turned on, and it was sickening to see her going to a restaurant looking like that to meet a man who isn’tme.

But at least I know where she is. I watch the little blue dot hover over a restaurant downtown and grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.

The restaurant’s one of those cozy, romantic places downtown.Ava is used to better,I think with a smug smile, but then remember she doesn’t want me or anything I can offer her anymore. His cheap restaurant will do her just fine, I’m sure.

But she fucking deserves the best.

And there she is. My heart fucking leaps, my fingers uncurling as I imagine pushing her hair over her shoulder, dropping my lips to her deliciously scented collarbone as she shivers beneath me.

Fuck, I miss her so much.

She’s inthatdress too. She walked out like a fucking vision—tight red fabric over every curve that used to be mine. And now she’s letting some guy look at her like she’s dessert.

She’s sitting across fromhim.Adam.