RA'S

, glancing around at the fine dining restaurant, feeling my social a

under my breath. My mother had somehow convinced me to go on a date with

early, having to wai

idence and power. His tall muscular frame moved with a kind of quiet authority. The way his tailored suit hugged his body made it impossible to look away. Dark hair, slightly tousle

me slowed down. It felt as if I had known him forever, and yet, he wa

en cross my mind. Was it his irresistibly good looks or was

't rush, didn't stumble. Richard Garrison seems to always be in cont

ly, sending shivers down

astic remark? I couldn't decide, so I just loo

ing to sound unaffected, but my vo

leaned back in his chair, watching me with those pier

n the eyes-devastatingly handsome, even-but was that really all it to

arriage or whatever you want from me," I said, finally meeting his gaze with the courage I

cker in his eyes-something unreadable, almost vulnerable. But

won't cancel it. The marr

n me. Important to him? What a

ce rising slightly. "How can you say tha

ined calm, infuriatingly calm. "This isn't about fo

erly, shaking my head. "You don'

u gone back to him yet? Why hasn't he come looking for you?" Richa

band, the years I wasted on him. The humiliation. The betrayal. And yet, even after everything Max did, I couldn't stop thinking

id, trying to keep my voice

ldly. "But from what I heard, yo

a deep breath, blinking abruptly before adding. "The divorce hasn't bee

ard began, but

ne thing. Marriage was another. He was a stranger. I shouldn't be cheating on Max with him like this. I felt worthless

s means to us Tammie," he said. "It is also a matter of time

feet almost immediately, letting out a scoff as I rolled my eyes.

You will feel it, Tamera. I know you will eventually. It is only a matter o

me, his presence overwhelming. He looked down at me, those pier

nd I wasn't sure if I was imagining it, but there was something raw in his stare-some

gently cupping my cheek. I knew I should step back, resist, but strang

. not this time." His voice was almost pleadin

ime? What

d memory I couldn't place. It was Richard's face. I gaspe

blurted out, "Who? Who are you to me?" Why had that i

sed, opening his mouth as if to

ing myself to speak. I nee

e door, desperate to escape. But as I reached the e

opped into

beautiful woman I didn't recognize, his hand on hers, smiling in a way he never did with me. Before

hest. He never kissed me like that. Not

ooked, the more I couldn't deny it. It was him. I took a step forward, the urg

e, Max pulled out an engagement ring. The woman

t imagine spending the rest of my life without you. You're the only woman for me. Will you marry me?" he asked, h

slipped the ring onto her finger, rising to embrace her, kissing h

Max had moved on. So

t erupted in applaus

s bag and pulling out a piece of jewelry-a necklace. No way. Wasn't this the

neck as she smiled, squeezing him in happine

her? That meant the necklace was never stolen. Was I rea

ay, trying to control the ache in my chest. The pain was so intense, I tho

t stop. Because in that moment, everything I thought I knew c

rain drenching me, not waiting for my driver

. My breath came in gasps, the pain inside me increasing with every step. It wasn't j

o the emptiness of the night. The sound echoed, mingling with the thunder, b

t, clearly expecting me to share all the details of my date. But her enth

ened?" she asked, her voi

ked past her, heading straight to my room,

a moment, the tears slowed, and I sniffled, sitting up almost instinctively. That's when my eyes caught

e was nothing flattering about me. I felt worthless at that very moment. I couldn't help but blame myself.

so long. At that very moment I was tired of feeling sorry for myself, tired of hanging on to a marriage that was clearly over. A love that was clearly one sided. I

de a de

the better. I'd make them all r