Chapter 21
Tessa sat in an elegant Michelin–starred restaurant, staring down at a beautifully plated Franco meal she used to love. But now, she had no appetite at all.
Clifford sat across from her, watching her nervously, “Tess…don’t you like the food? Should we go somewhere else?”
“No.” She looked at him emotionlessly. “Say what you need to say. After today, we’re done for good and will never see eachother again.”
“Done forgood?” Those words hit him like a punch to the gut. His eyes welled up with teams, and a bow sob slipped from his throat. “Tess can you just let go of the 20 years of relationship we had?
“What is there left to say, Clifford? Her voice was cold. “1’w already stepped aside for your happy little family of three
lever acknowledge is yours..”
He stared at her desperately, watching her face for any sign of lingering affection. But her expression was cold and distant, and her voice was dim. “Just skip to what you have to say. I’ve got things to do.“Tess checked her watch and looked back up, urging him to get on with it.
“Tess, that child was never mine. His expression conveyed his deep remorse. “Told you before that the only ch
Clifford opened his mouth but couldn’t speak. His heart was already shattered. “Where are you going?” he finally asked through gritted teeth “What does it matter to you? She stapped, Initated. “If this is all just going to be pointless small talk, then don’t waste my time.”
She stood up and pushed her chair back to leave. But he blocked her path and said pleadingly, “Please, Tess, just tell me. Let me know what could possibly be more Important than me
Her voice was flat, “wrything else is more important than you. But if you’re so desperate to know, fine. I’ll tell you. I’m going for my wedding dress fitting.” “What?” His fingers clenched so tightly that his muckles turned white. He asked again, as if unwilling to believe it.
His voice trembled with pain, his eyes bloodshot, “Tess, don’t lie to me. If you’re just saying this to hurt me, you might as well dil me now,
Heinstinctively reached out, gripping hertightly, as though trying to force the truth from her. “Don’t lie to me, Tess”
She frowned. “Let me go, Cliffoed. You’re the one who said you wanted closure, and that’s the only reason I came, But clearly, you were just looking for another excuse to play games.
“I should’ve known better than to trust you again. I’ve lost count of how many times you have lied to me. Ever since Tania showed up pregnant, it’s been one lie
She tried to leave again. “Let me go, Clifford. Let yourself go, too. There’s no future for us. I’ll live my life, and you’ll live yours. Isn’t it better to part ways with some dignity?
but whatever thread was holding Clifford together had already snapped. He couldn’t imagine life without her. “Tess.. I can’t love without you…”
He desperately begged. Please come back to me, okay?”
“Have you ever thought about the fact that marrying you was already a huge compromise for me?
pulled her hand away sharply. “All Tever wanted was a free, easy life. But for you, I gave everything up. I wore a mask every day just to play the part of the perfect Mrs. Jones.
“But you didn’t appreciate any of it. You had a kid with another woman and expected me to just… accept it. And then you kept feeding me the same line about how you had no choice‘. Whut kind of excuse is that?”
Her that was dry. She grabbed the untouched glass of water on the table and downed it in one go
“Tess, don’t drink that!” Clifford froze, watching her drain the glass. His hand hovered in the air.
She asked, “What’s wrong, clifford? Is there something wrong with the water?”
“Come on, Tess, get in the car. I’m calding you to the hospital!” He didn’t care about anything else anymore. He lunged forward to pick her up and carry her out of the restauraG.
“What the hell are you doing?” She struggled to break free, but then a wave of familiar heat rolled over her, setting her nerves on fire.
He quickly shrugged off his suit jacket and wrapped around her before showing her into the cas,
“What is happening to me?” she gasped as she lay in the back seat. The closed car filled with the scent of pine and leather seemed to act like an aphrodisiac, She couldn’t stop the moans from escaping barr lips.
“Tess!” Guilt crashed over tim like a tidal wave. He had antved early and added something to water in a moment of weakness.
isabelle’s voicechoed in hismind.
“Can you just let her be out there alone? Wouldn’t you rather keep her close, even if it means taking extreme measures? if she’s going to end up with someone else, me might as well let her have the baby and make it up to her the best weGUIL
Women always say they don’t want kids, but once they’re pregnant, they can’t help but get attached.”
Teksa seemned completely out of it, her mind clouded. Her hands gripped his antightly, while the other cling to his cuff.
“Teps. Do you know who I am? His voter dropped, filled with hunger. As he looked at her flushed checks and messy clothes, his restraint finally snapped, and the des he’d been holding back surged to the surface.
you have no idea how much it hurt watching you with anotherman..
He bombed a gentle kiss against her earlobe, and his fingers interlaced with hers as he pinned her down. “Did he ever kiss you here? Does he know how sensitive
As ir punishing her, his tongue flicked her earlobe
lobe lightly, and each breath against her skin was het enough to set the air between them on fire
Grade 21
“You’re.” she whispered, biting her lip, trembling beneath his touch.
“Who am 1” he whispered against her mouth, coaxing her.
But then, just as the drug neared its peak, she suddenly shoved him away with all her strength. “You’re not Edison! Who are you?
