Chapter 6
I spent half the day at River’s place. Max completely ignored me, and Zoe was too scared to even make eye contact.]
Honestly, what impressed me most that day was how incredible the food was, and how young their housekeeper looked.[]
She was this stunning girl in her twenties, super organized and graceful. Everything she did seemed effortless, and damn, could she cook.[]
I was actually thinking about trying to poach her.[]
Until this little housekeeper started swaying her hips and practically purring while trying to hand–feed River strawberries.[]
That’s when Mackenzie leaned over and hissed, “Are you kidding me with this shit? That’s Lily Barnes, the homewrecker who destroyed your marriage. She’s your college junior too. Had every opportunity at an elite university, but chose to be his side piece instead. What a fucking waste.“]
J
Mackenzie’s language was pretty brutal, but I felt kind of guilty since I hadn’t exactly been Miss Ambition in college either–I was totally boy–crazy back then.]
Realizing I couldn’t steal their housekeeper was genuinely devastating, so I consoled myself with another serving of rice.]
Halfway through lunch, Mackenzie got what sounded like an urgent work call. She shot me an apologetic look.]
The call seemed really serious, so I quickly waved her off. “Go handle your crisis! I can get an Uber home, no big deal.“||
“Willa, just give me forty minutes tops. I’ll be right back to get you, I swear.“]
After Mackenzie rushed out, River glanced at Lily, who smartly disappeared upstairs with the kids.[]
Now it was just me and River in this massive living room. I checked my phone–Mackenzie would probably be back in fifteen minutes.
My brain immediately went into survival mode: if River tried something, what was my best escape route?[]
Would those kickboxing classes I took actually help? Probably not–I’m only five–seven and pretty scrawny. Not exactly intimidating.
When River reached toward me, I absolutely bolted. Couldn’t make it to the front door, so I dove into the nearest room and slammed the lock.
I could hear him getting keys, which made my heart race. “Don’t you dare come in here! I’ll call 911, I swear to God!”
His voice came through the door, rough with frustration: “Willa, what the hell are you so terrified of? We were together for ten years, married for seven. Do you seriously think I’m going to hurt you?”
I completely lost it: “I don’t give a shit what you think! Stay the fuck away from me!“]
His tone suddenly shifted, got softer: “Willa, what happened to you? You’re not… who did this to you? Did someone hurt you?“] “Just LEAVE! Don’t come near this door until Mackenzie gets back!“]}
I heard this long, defeated sigh: “Willa, how can you be this cold? It’s been over a year since you’ve even visited. Look, if you Just, if you asked me nicely right now, we could try again. We could remarry…”
Oapter 6
God, he was pissing me off. I pressed my hands over my ears and screamed, “STOP TALKING! LEAVE ME ALONE!“[]
River went quiet for a moment, then I heard his footsteps retreating.[]
I slumped against the door, clutching a letter opener I’d grabbed, finally able to breathe again.
Mackenzie had filled me in on my whole history with River. According to her, I’d been completely obsessed with him.[]
Even when River cheated, I refused the divorce. I’d just have these massive blowout fights with him. When River finally got sick. of my drama and pushed for the split, I apparently threatened suicide to stop him.]
Didn’t work. River hired the most cutthroat divorce attorneys money could buy.
The way Mackenzie tells it, I loved him insanely–loved him so much I completely lost myself.
But now, with no memory of that love, seeing River just made me feel… scared. Not heartbroken. Just genuinely afraid.[]}
He was so tall and harsh, always had this cruel edge to everything he said.
I couldn’t wrap my head around how I’d ever fallen for someone like that. I grew up bouncing between foster homes, always scared of making waves.[]
The smallest rejection could crush me. It took me years to even trust Mackenzie as a friend.[]
So how the hell had I found the courage to give everything to someone like River?
I didn’t understand my past self, but I knew my current self was genuinely terrified of him.]
