Life With The Men I Love: Lies, Love and Pain

Chapter 24

$$$ INDIA $$$

"Mommy, isn't Grey coming home for dinner?" Adrianna looked up at me, hope glinting in her little eyes.

"Let's call him and see, shall we?" I answered, balancing Ivy on my hip as we headed over to the counter. Dialing Grey's number, I put the phone on speaker.

"Hey babe," I greeted him when he picked up on the third ring.

"Hi, honey." He sounded a bit distracted, but I chose to ignore it.

"Grey, are you coming home for dinner? I helped Mommy cook," Adrianna chimed in, her voice brimming with pride.

"Is it dinner time already?" he asked, his tone catching me off guard, as if he'd lost track of time entirely.

"Yep," I replied, keeping my voice light. There was a brief pause.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sure dinner's going to be amazing, but I can't make it tonight. I'm tied up at work," he said finally.

Adrianna's face fell instantly. "Aww, Grey, I wanted you to come home so we could watch a movie before bed," she pouted, her disappointment piercing through me.

"I'm really sorry, sweetie. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Okay," she said, her voice soft with resignation.

"I have to go now," he said after a pause. "Love you, baby."

"Love you too," I replied, fighting to keep my voice steady. Hanging up the phone, I glanced down at Adrianna, her lips still pursed in a pout.

"He said he'd make it up to you, honey, and you know Grey's surprises are the best," I reminded her, trying to lighten her mood.

"I know," she mumbled, but the excitement had drained from her face.

After dinner, I gave the kids a bath and tucked them into bed. My thoughts drifted back to Grey. I knew how he got when he was working late—ignoring hunger, lost in his work. He was probably starving. I started packing a basket with the dinner he missed, taking care to wrap everything neatly.

"Gloria?" I called, securing the last lid.

"Yes, ma'am?" she replied, coming into the kitchen.

"I'm stepping out for a while. Grey's working late, so I'm going to take him some dinner."

Gloria's face softened. "You're a good woman, India."

I smiled at her, grabbing my black, knee-length coat from the closet and pulling it over my dress. "Thanks, Gloria. I'll be back as soon as I can," I said, slipping out the door.

The drive to Grey's office was a familiar one, but tonight it felt heavier, as if the air itself held secrets. I parked outside the towering office building and entered, nodding at the security guard who recognized me immediately. The building was quiet, eerie almost, as I made my way to the top floor.

As I neared his office, I heard faint sounds—muffled but unmistakable. My heart dropped. Clutching the basket tighter, I took a deep breath, each step drawing me closer to what I dreaded might be the truth. The moans became clearer, louder with each step. I reached his office door and pushed it open, the scene before me slamming into me like a sledgehammer.

Grey was there, his shirt open, and in his arms was Karen, the woman he'd told me not to worry about, her dress hiked up as she clung to him. The basket slipped from my fingers, hitting the floor with a dull thud. Grey turned, his face twisting in shock. He quickly pulled away, fumbling to adjust his clothes as Karen did the same, avoiding my gaze.