“Elle…”

“Don’t call me that. Tell me where this purse came from.”

He grabbed the edge of the counter as though trying to steady himself.

“I can explain.”

“Then explain.”

After several long seconds, he finally whispered,

“The handbag belonged to someone else.”

The words landed like ice.

“To another woman?”

Robert closed his eyes.

He didn’t have to answer.

My mind instantly connected every late night, every scratch, every unfamiliar smell clinging to his jacket.

“How long?” I whispered.

“No,” he said quickly. “It isn’t what you’re thinking.”

I laughed bitterly.

Part 3:

“Men always say that when it’s exactly what we’re thinking.”

 

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