Chapter 18
“After everything he’s done to you, are you really going to just swallow your pride and stay?”
“Laney! When a man cheats, it’s never just once-it’s once or a thousand times!”
“Don’t be naïve!”
Blanche wiped away her tears. “Thank you for being on my side, Ingrid.”
“Silly, you’re my best friend.”
With gentle care, Ingrid brushed a stray lock of hair from Blanche’s cheek. “So, what are you going to do? Do you want my help?”
It was ironic-Ingrid had known Eddy far longer, and they’d always been close, yet she was kinder, more loyal to Blanche.
Blanche knew Eddy’s temperament all too well. If he ever found out Ingrid had known about her leaving, he’d never forgive her. She couldn’t drag her friend into this mess.
She shook her head. “I can handle it.”
“I’m going to divorce him. I’ll leave, disappear somewhere he’ll never find me.”
“Somewhere he’ll never find you?” Ingrid’s eyes widened.
“You’ll know when the time comes. Until then, I need you to keep this secret.”
“I’ll be gone soon.”
Ingrid nodded but her face fell. “Does that mean I won’t see you anymore?”
“Of course not. I’ll stay in touch.”
After her parents divorced, Blanche had followed her mother, leaving her old life and friends behind-Ingrid was the first real friend she’d made since. She could hardly bear the thought of losing her, too.
Ingrid finally relaxed at Blanche’s promise, but her indignation quickly bubbled up again. “Jeannette doesn’t hold a candle to you. I don’t know what Eddy’s thinking. Has he lost his mind?”
Blanche could only offer a bitter smile and a shake of her head.
She knew that, no matter the reason, what was done was done and couldn’t be changed. Still, Jeannette’s words echoed in her mind.
Who doesn’t crave youth and energy?
Healy did, and apparently Eddy did too.
After lunch, as they stepped out of the café, a sleek Ferrari pulled up to the curb. Eddy climbed out, handing Blanche the keys with a flourish. “Honey, do you like it?”
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12:550
Chapter 18
It was lunchtime, and the café was right by Simmons Corporation headquarters, so plenty of employees had stopped to watch.
“Wow, the golden boy bowing to love!”
“Mr. Simmons is so devoted to his wife.”
“She must have saved the universe in a previous life to deserve him!”
“When will I meet a man like Mr. Simmons?”
“Handsome, wealthy, and most importantly-faithful!”
Once upon a time, when Blanche heard the admiration in people’s voices and met Eddy’s loving gaze, her heart would have overflowed with happiness. She’d have blushed, melted into his arms, scolded him for being showy and thanked him for his thoughtfulness.
But now, Blanche took the keys with a cool, unreadable expression. She didn’t even thank him, just brushed past without a word.
She hadn’t fallen for someone younger or more exciting. She still loved him-always had.
Even now, when he’d hurt her so deeply, his nearness still sent ripples through her heart.
But those ripples were edged with pain, cutting through her like glass.
She loved him so much, and he’d chosen betrayal over honesty.
Eddy wasn’t worth her heartbreak.
“Did you see that? She doesn’t look happy.”
“If a woman’s upset, it’s either love or money. But she clearly isn’t short on money!”
“Did Mr. Simmons do something to hurt her?” one employee whispered, only to be met with a
chorus of scoffs.
“As if! Everyone knows how much he adores his wife.”
“Don’t you know he’s saved her more than once? There was that time she was kidnapped, and he offered himself as a hostage just to save her!”
People gushed over Eddy, casting envious glances at Blanche.
“I swear, I’m going to be a die-hard Mrs. Simmons fan and work at Simmons Corp forever!”
But all Blanche wanted now was to get away from Eddy, to stop loving him, to forget him.
Only twenty-eight days left.
She slid into the car, but before she could close the door, it flew open and Eddy grabbed her hand.
He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. Blanche jerked away, meeting his stunned eyes with a steely glare.
“Don’t kiss me.”
