TIFFIN 4

14

Was this really it?

After our first meeting all those years ago at the frat, then overcoming surmountable odds... It had been leading to...

Nothing?

Oh, quit it, Kristina. You knew when the affair started that things were dire.

Yes. That was right.

Though the relationship had been toxic as all hell, Charlie and Elouise expected a squeaky clean life from me.

Hero didn't represent that.

Firstly. Kylie. The man treated her like absolute garbage if anyone were to be honest.

Granted, she'd been jealous and angry, but who wouldn't have been after finding the guy they liked with another in bed.

He'd degraded her, talked down to her, even pushed her for no good reason most days.

His excuse?

Though they carried similar backgrounds, it just never worked because she had been herself.

Well, fuck.

Had I been so alluring simply for the difference it brought to his world? Because Kristina Addison was this innocent doe that he could corrupt?

Damn. Now that boat had sailed long ago.

Wanted him to love me for me. Not anything artificial.

No... Eleanor. She came first.

No matter what.

"Mrs. Tiffin."

Evelyn entered as soon as she spotted the last guard exit.

"Shall I fetch a coffee?"

This made me nearly gag. Nope. Absolutely no sugary drinks.

"No... Can you do a favor? Address me by Kristina from now on. And... Would you care to sit down and go through protocol while I vent? Need a friend."

Didn't know what I expected her reaction to be, but it definitely wasn't acceptance.

"Sure. Let me fetch the documents and talk away."

It didn't take long for her to return. Thoughts of board members walking into our little fest reared its head, but honestly?

Things needed to be taken one step at a time. I would do things my way. If and when Diedre managed to take over... Everything would go to hell.

Don't think our partners would fare well in this. So they could shut it.

"What happens now?"

This caused me to gasp.

"Huh?"

"That fight between you and... Um... Hero seemed pretty intense. I'm hoping things can be worked out."

I sighed.

"Evelyn... Know you have no clue about what the fight was about but Diedre is not a good person and he's aware. Leaving should have been the last straw. Afraid divorce is looking like the next logical step."

It was.

Even in marriage... We never got to know one another.

He was off states away while I dealt with my pregnancy.

Oh. World. Why must you be so cruel?