Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(44)

Chapter 23


As soon as Rachel left I felt incomplete. I couldn’t begin to show my emotions around Harper, especially considering I still had more drama to deal with where her mother was concerned.

While anticipating an ugly conversation, I was also incredulously worried about the outcome. Veronica was known for lying, or at least exaggerating the truth, but I doubted she’d lie about a child. That was the one thing precious to her.

Gracie showed up as I was preparing to reach out to Veronica. She brought her grandchild, Trevor, along to play with Harper. They hit it off immediately, so I felt comfortable closing the office door to make sure I wasn’t overheard.

During the length of my marriage I’d been understanding. While I waited for my wife to pick up her phone I knew she was about to get a taste of the man she’d made me become.

“I was wondering when I’d hear from you. Are you enjoying your freedom? From what I hear, you’re making up for lost time.”

“I don’t know where you’re getting your information from, not that it’s any of your business. Where are you? We need to talk, Veronica.”

“We are talking.”

“Face to face.”

“That’s not possible unless you’re coming home,” she rudely stated.

“I know for a fact you’re still in D.C. or somewhere nearby. There’s no use lying. Just tell me what five star hotel you chose and I’ll come to you.”

The line was silent.

“Veronica. I know you hear me. Where the hell are you?”

“I’m not at a hotel. I’ve been staying with Gracie. When you told me to leave she was kind enough to offer her home to me, seeing as I was replaced so quickly.”

“What? She wouldn’t.” Then it hit me. “Unless you told her something to make her feel sorry for you.” I could barely manage to keep my composure. “You need to come here now. I’m not messing around. This shit is going to get settled tonight, and then your ass will be on the next plane out of here. I’m tired of your damn lies.”

“Fine. I’ll come to you, on one condition.”

Was she serious? She didn’t have a right to request things of me. “What the hell could you want from me?”

“I want her gone, Chad. When I get there that whore better not still be hanging all over you. She goes, or I stay away.”

I sighed. “That won’t be a problem. Rachel isn’t here.”

“Oh, what’s wrong,” she taunted. “Did she get sick of you already? Did she go home to her husband again like last time?”

I hung up the phone. She was out of line, and I didn’t respect her enough to give her any more ammunition.

It took me ten seconds to locate Gracie, who was cooking something in the kitchen. I stood on the opposite side of the counter and waited for her to address me. I think she knew the shit was about to hit the fan. She stopped what she was doing immediately. "Why would you let Veronica stay with you?"

“She called me crying, telling me she needed a place to stay so she didn't have to go home. She was at the airport.?"

I just shook my head. “Gracie, I know you meant well, but Veronica left knowing our marriage was over. She lied to me, as well as you."

"I was only trying to help since she's with child."

When she said it I wanted to walk out of the room. "She told you she was pregnant? Veronica told you?"

"Was I not supposed to know?"

I waved my hands around, feeling like the last person to hear the news. "It would have been nice if she would have told me."

"Come again?"

Her hand raised to cover her mouth. "I just assumed."

After realizing Gracie was just another victim, I began to calm down. My anger needed to stay directed at Veronica. ?If this was some ploy to get a rise out of me it was working. If it was in fact true, everything I'd planned with Rachel would have to change.

"Veronica is on her way here. She and I obviously have a lot to talk about."

"Chad, please don't be angry with me. She made it seem like you knew she was staying. She was so distraught. I just assumed I was helping you both."

"I'm not upset. I just need to figure out what's a lie and what's the truth. Would you keep an eye on the kids so we have some privacy?"

"Of course. Anything you need."

Once I'd finished my chat with Gracie, I headed back into the office to await Veronica's arrival. I began looking at dates on the calendar, desperate to recall the last time I'd had intercourse with my wife.

The moment I heard a car door shutting, I knew she was there. I stood, but refused to greet her at the door. After hearing it open, I called out her name to ensure she knew where to head.

In all the years we'd been together I'd never seen my wife look so terrible. Her eyes were swollen, and there wasn't a drop of makeup on her face. She came in, avoiding eye contact with me as she sat down across from me. "I want to see Harper."

"You will once we clear up some things."

She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Bring it on. I have nothing to hide, unlike you."

"If you're talking about my behavior, don't bother. Whatever has happened is a direct result of your actions."