Mr Spencer(134)

Edward drags me towards the door to pull me away from Charlotte.

“Charlotte,” I cry. “She’s lying, I swear to you.”

I struggle to break free, but I still see Charlotte crying hysterically in Harold’s arms.

No!

This can’t be happening!

More cameras flash in the distance.

I grab the doorframe to try and stop them from dragging me away from her. “Charlotte!” I cry. “Charlotte, come here. Listen to me!” I beg.

Charlotte’s haunted eyes hold mine for just a second before she shakes her head and turns her back on me.

I dig my heels in to try and stop them dragging me away from her. “Charlotte!”

“Just leave, Spencer,” she yells into her father’s shoulder. Harold wraps his arms around her, shielding and protecting her from me.

I’m dragged outside and I struggle to break free. All at once, Charlotte is rushed out of the restaurant, the clicks of cameras flashing everywhere until she is put into the back of the Bentley.

“Charlotte!” I scream, and the car speeds off into the distance.

Edward walks up to me, his stare cold and full of hatred. “Are you happy now?”

“I swear to you, Edward, I didn’t know.” His guards hold me by my arms.

Edward punches me in the stomach and the wind is knocked from my lungs. I double over and fall to the ground on the cold, grey pavement.

Blood fills my mouth.

I hear footsteps, cars, and the flashes of more cameras. And then there’s a cacophony of car tyres screaming in the distance. After a short while, I feel myself being lifted from the ground. I look up to see Anthony and Wyatt.

They’ve stayed with me.

The only ones.

I look around to see everyone else has gone.

“Come on, let’s get you home,” Wyatt sighs sadly.

“Charlotte,” I whisper.

“She’s gone mate,” Anthony says with regret.

I stammer in a panic. “We… we have to go get her.”

Wyatt looks at me, his face is sad and full of sympathy. “She doesn’t want to see you, Spence. She told me to keep you away from her.”

I wince and drop my head.

This can’t be happening.





*



I stare at the television on the wall of the bar I’m in.

Masters and Seb are beside me, staying silent. What is there to say?

I’ve fucked it. I’ve completely fucked it.

“She’ll come around.” Masters sips his beer.

“I don’t think she will,” Seb mutters. “Have you seen the papers today? This scandal is fucking everywhere.”

“You’re not helping, Seb!” Masters snaps. “Try calling her again.”

I pass my phone to him. He dials Charlotte’s number and, once again, it goes straight through to voicemail. Her phone has been turned off since dinner last night. She hasn’t been back to our apartment. If I try to drive to Nottingham, they won’t let me see her, anyway.

I’ll wait here in London for her to come home.

Please come home.

“I don’t understand how you didn’t know this.” Masters frowns. “How do you fuck a married woman and never find out who she was married to?”

“It’s not something I wanted to know, all right? Fuck.”

Seb smirks and stares down at the table.

“What?” I say deadpan.

“You do have to admit, it is a little bit funny. What are the chances?”

“It’s not funny, Sebastian, you fucking idiot. What will be funny is when I rearrange your ugly face,” I growl.

Masters chuckles. “Now, that will be funny. I’d pay good money to watch you do that.”

A text comes in from Bree.

Spence,

I can’t get a hold of her.

I’ll keep trying.

Bree

x





I drag my hand down my face in despair.

“She’s not seeing anyone or taking any calls. Beth called me this morning, and Charlotte won’t even see her. I don’t know how the fuck I’m supposed to fix this when she won’t even speak to me.”

We all fall silent.

“She’ll come home.” Masters sighs. “She’s just in shock.”

“Join the fucking club,” Seb grumbles. “I’m in shock, too.”

I glare at him. “I swear to fucking God, your face is so punch-able right now, I can’t even stand it.”

The both laugh at me.

“Can you two just fuck off and leave me alone?”

“Nope,” Masters answers without hesitation. “We’ve been through tougher times than this, and we always stick together.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. A memory of Charlotte’s face when she realised I’d slept with Penelope takes over, and my heart hurts.

I can’t believe I slept with Penelope.

What have I done?





Charlotte


Thirty-seven hours since he held me.

Thirty-seven hours since I had my heart completely ripped from my chest.

I’m in my bed, staring at a wall.

I can’t drink, I can’t eat, I can’t think.