Chapter 6
That's me—heading out full of hope, only to come back completely let down.
That's literally me.
But what really got me down, unexpectedly, happened at Vera's apartment.
Henry smiled and handed me a glass of warm water. "Here you go, Miss White."
"Perfect temp," he said.
Honestly, my throat was bone dry—I really needed that drink.
"Thanks," I replied.
After I set the glass down, Henry finally spoke up again.
"I was just passing by and thought I'd drop in to see Vera. Didn't expect her to be out," he said.
Vera once told me.
"My brother's a total workaholic—he'd move into the office if they let him. If I want to see him, I have to book an appointment in advance," Vera said.
How could a guy like that just "happen to drop by"?
I didn't beat around the bush.
"Mr. Goodwin, just spit it out if you've got something to say," I said.
Henry hesitated for a moment, then smiled.
"Guess you and my sister really are tight. Alright, no more beating around the bush," he said.
He paused for a moment.
"Vera's pretty impulsive—she'll jump in to help anyone she trusts, giving it her all. But the situation between you and Mr. Quinn is a family matter. As an outsider, it's not right for her to get so involved. I hope you understand, Miss White."
I nodded.
"Mr. Goodwin, don't worry. Vera's my best friend—I won't let her get dragged into any unnecessary trouble," I said.
Henry stood up. "Alright, I won't bother you any longer. I'll take my leave."
He reached the door, but paused and turned back to look at me.
"Miss White, you're a smart woman. Smart people know when to make the right move for their own benefit," he said.
"Besides, given your situation, you really shouldn't be alone right now," Henry added.
"Thanks for the heads-up, Mr. Goodwin. You're right, but even smart people have their own boundaries. I won't walk you out," I said.
As Henry walked out, I started packing my things.
I never expected Matt to beg for my forgiveness one second, only to put the squeeze on the Goodwin family the next, driving me out of the last safe haven I had in this city.
I dug out a card from the hidden pocket in my bag.
It wasn't much—just three thousand dollars.
It was my own card.
My mom had slipped it to me when I got married.
"Just in case," she'd said.
Matt was handsome and loaded, but my parents weren't exactly fans of him.
They were worried.
"Matt comes from a totally different world than you," my mom said.
"You two are bound to see things differently," she added.
I had laughed and tried to reassure them. "Come on, your daughter's not dumb. If he ever treats me badly, I'll just take the money and bolt. No way I'm letting myself get played."
I shoved the card right back at them. "You guys should keep this for your retirement."
But they just wouldn't take no for an answer—they shoved it right back at me.
I thought I'd never have to use this money.
But here I was, just three years later, digging it out.
I found myself a reasonably priced hotel.
Just as I finished unpacking, Vera called.
"Girl, where are you? Why aren't you back yet?" Vera complained.
"I..." I bit my lip, deciding to tell a white lie. "Vera, I moved back in with Matt."
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"What? You moved back? When did that happen? Why didn't you tell me?" Vera blurted out.
"Come on, did he apologize or what?" she pressed.
"What did he give you this time?" she asked.
"Why do you always forgive him so easily?" Vera pressed.
"Vera, seriously, stop grilling me. Things are good between us now, so stop worrying about me," I said.
"To celebrate, you owe me a dinner," Vera demanded.
"Sure, whenever works for you," I replied.
"Whenever? Nope, we're doing it tonight," Vera insisted.
I opened my mouth to decline, but her infectious enthusiasm made the words catch in my throat. "Alright."
"Our usual spot. I'll book a table. See you in half an hour."
*****
I arrived before her.
When Vera walked in and saw me sitting alone in the corner, she stopped in her tracks. "Matt didn't come with you?"
"He's busy at work," I said.
"They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. It's rare for him not to be always sticking to you," Vera joked.
Vera slipped off her coat, plopped down next to me, and started flipping through the menu, picking out dishes.
"Forget him, it's just us tonight. Let's dig in," she said.
The broth was bubbling away.
Vera was tossing in some tripe when I caught sight of two people walking in at the door. My whole body went rigid.
It was Matt and Elaine.
Did they have to show up everywhere I went?
When you're unlucky, even water bites back.
The more you try to avoid someone, the more you end up running into them.
I can't help but curse my shitty luck.
They walked in side by side, looking like regulars who knew the place inside out.
It was obvious this wasn't their first time here.
He'd actually brought her to the spot we used to love the most.
Vera spotted them too.
Before I could stop her, she was already on her feet, yelling at them.
"Matt, stop right there!" Vera shouted.
Matt stopped in his tracks, spotted us, and walked over.
Vera planted her hands on her hips, glaring at him. "Rachel just moved back today, and instead of being with her, you're out here having dinner with another woman? What kind of man are you?"
Matt's face was cold, but he ignored Vera and looked straight at me, his eyes softening. "You moved back—why didn't you call me?"
Vera froze and turned to me. "He didn't even beg you to come back?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but Vera was already losing it.
"You seriously don't know? You have no clue when your own wife moved back? What kind of husband are you, huh? She's got your baby in her belly and you can't even keep track!" Vera snapped.
Elaine quickly stepped forward to defend him. "Miss Goodwin, Matt really didn't get a call from Rachel. You should cut him some slack."
She turned to me.
"Rachel, Matt's your husband. He cares about you so much—how can you just stand by and let someone tear him down like that?" Elaine said.
Vera let out a cold laugh.
"Am I wrong? He knows his wife's pregnant, but he's still acting all cozy with another woman," Vera snapped.
"He knew his wife needed someone, but he still threw her out," she added.
"Does that even make him a man?" Vera shot back.
"Don't you dare talk about Matt like that," Elaine snapped.
"You don't allow it? Who the hell do you think you are?" Vera fired back.
Vera went full savage.
"You know Matt's married, but you just won't stop hanging all over him," Vera snapped.
"Every single time they fight, it's always your fault," she added.
"I've never seen a woman as shameless as you," Vera spat.
"Vera," Matt's voice turned icy with anger. "What's between me and Rachel has nothing to do with Elaine. Don't insult her."
"I'm letting it go this time because of Rachel. But next time, I'll have a word with your parents myself."
Her face turned beet red.
She was about to blow up.
I rushed to stop her, grabbing her arm. "Vera, this is my business. I'll handle it myself."