Chapter 19
Eddy stared at her, caught off guard. “Honey, what’s wrong?”
They always shared a goodbye kiss, but since it wasn’t convenient in the car, he’d settled for a kiss on her forehead.
“It’s nothing.” Blanche picked up a tissue and wiped away the damp mark. “You smudged my makeup.”
He accepted her answer without a second thought.
Bending down, Eddy said, “Drive safe, okay? Let me know when you get to the office.”
He glanced at his watch. “I need to sign a contract, but when I’m done, we’ll go pick up Healy and head back to my parents’ house together.”
“Mom’s thrilled we’re moving back in. She’s already had the cook make all your favorite dishes.”
Blanche’s gaze flickered to the rearview mirror. She saw Kelvin standing on the sidewalk behind them, but replied to Eddy, “Okay.”
Eddy watched as Blanche drove off, then made his way over to an SUV parked nearby.
Kelvin climbed in after him.
The SUV blended into morning traffic, eventually winding through the leafy streets of Northcrest Villas.
Jeannette stood waiting at the entrance of a villa. As soon as she spotted Eddy, she rushed over and greeted him with a warm embrace.
Behind her stood another woman-Ingrid, who had left the restaurant earlier than the rest of
them.
The group headed inside, laughing and chatting, their camaraderie on full display.
Blanche had followed them all the way. Now, from the driver’s seat, she watched the scene unfold with her own eyes.
She froze, tightening her grip on the steering wheel until her knuckles ached, unable to process what she was seeing.
Why was Ingrid here?
Her mind raced with memories: Ingrid sticking up for her, Ingrid calling Jeannette a homewrecker, Ingrid swearing she’d slap Jeannette every time she saw her.
They were best friends. How could Ingrid be getting along so well with the woman who had ruined her marriage?
Blanche squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the familiar sting. She had long since run out of tears, but her eyes were still wet.
She couldn’t believe any of this was real.
When she finally got out of the car, her body felt wooden, unresponsive. She stumbled, scraping her knees and palms on the asphalt, but she barely registered the pain. Slowly, she pushed herself up and made her way toward the villa.
Inside, the living room buzzed with conversation.
“Ingrid, tell us what’s been up with Blanche these last couple of days?”
Kelvin glanced at Eddy, who sat with his eyes closed, looking drained. “Eddy’s been worried sick about her.”
Ingrid rolled her eyes. “You’ve spent five years sneaking around with Jeannette behind Blanche’s back-do you really care about her feelings now?” she shot at Eddy.
Kelvin’s voice echoed from deeper in the house. “You don’t get it. Blanche is Eddy’s legitimate wife. Didn’t you see how she ignored him out there? Passersby probably thought Eddy was bullying her.”
“If Eddy acts like he doesn’t care, everyone will call him a heartless jerk.”
“The Simmons Group can’t afford any messy scandals. It’d tank the stock price.”
So it wasn’t just Kelvin who had lied to her.
Ingrid’s words pierced Blanche’s heart like needles.
A sharp pain twisted in her stomach, forcing her to double over.
The voices inside faded, everything blurring into background noise.
So Ingrid had always known about Eddy and Jeannette. And she’d helped them keep it from her. They were supposed to be best friends-sharing every joy and sorrow, standing by each other through every milestone.
Blanche’s tears came in silent streams. Ingrid’s betrayal stung even more than Eddy’s.
Why would she do this to her?
The cramping in her stomach worsened. Cold sweat broke out across her forehead. She shook uncontrollably, her mind drifting.
But she couldn’t collapse here.
Summoning the last of her strength, Blanche dragged herself back to the car.
Back inside the villa, Jeannette let the curtain fall after watching Blanche’s shaky retreat. A satisfied smile played at her lips as she picked up a tray of pastries and carried it into the living room.
She’d heard Ingrid defending her, and Kelvin’s explanation too. She was positively glowing with
triumph.
Eddy cared about Blanche only because he was worried about the company’s image-and his own reputation.
