Ruby Red, The Sequel - The Romance Story Continues (Complete)

Chapter 41

Ali was finding it difficult to breathe. There was a roaring sound in her ears and her mouth was dry. Her face wasn't. It was wet. She was crying. Again.

There was a horrible pain in her chest. Her heart was breaking. She had just caught Sam cheating on her.

Sam.

Cheating.

It was practically impossible to imagine. But she didn't have to imagine it. She had seen it with her own eyes. In living colour. Sam, stumbling half-naked out of the bedroom. Victoria's bedroom. Victoria in that ludicrous hot pink number, faking shock at being caught.

This whole thing had been a rouse. That vile woman had purposely lured Ali here to find them in the act. To out Sam. To flaunt she had slept with Ali's man. Victoria's eyes had gleamed with smugness when Ali had looked at her before Ali's self-preservation had kicked in.

Her mind screamed "Run, Run," and Ali's feet had followed automatically, pushing her way out the door and into the cold winter night. When she got to her car Ali had to lean against it for a moment, trying not to throw up.

The pain ripped through her. She had no defence against it. Sam had melted her protective shield away, convincing Ali with his kind heart and professions of love she didn't need it anymore. Ali had trusted Sam. She had been played for a fool. Again.

And now Sam stood before her, first apologizing for it. Then taking it back and saying it wasn't what it looked like. Oh, Ali knew better. She had been here before. When she had walked in on Jack cheating on her. Images of that woman sprawled across Jack's desk blurred into thoughts of Sam and Victoria.

Ali stamped the ground in frustration. Was she destined to always fall for men who would eventually betray her? Was there something wrong with her?

No. This was not her fault. If Sam was cheating, that was on him.

If.

A voice in the back of Ali's head begged her to notice something. To look at Sam. She didn't want to do it. To see his face dripping in guilt. Her heart said flee, getaway and never look back.

It was what she always did. Avoid the pain. Look away.

Ali took a step away from Sam. Her legs wobbled, threatening to betray her. What was she going to do? She considered her options. She could walk away ... the thought caused another fissure of pain to rattle through her causing her to grip onto the car for support. What other option did she have?

Something settled in Ali with the thought. She could stay and ... what? Scream at Sam? Make him feel as bad as she did? Fight this feeling of helplessness? She felt a tad calmer. She didn't have to scurry away.

Ali could stay and fight.

Dragging her eyes away from her reflection in the car window, Ali forced herself to meet Sam's eyes.

Even in the weak light from the streetlamps, Ali could tell they looked wrong. His pupils were glossy black saucers, barely rimmed by his normally green irises. Before she could stop herself, she was asking. "Sam? What's wrong."

He just stared at her, not answering. It was like he was dazed, not really there. Then his brain seemed to kick into gear and those black pools focused on her.

"Ali, please. Help me," he pleaded.

A lump rose in Ali's throat. She tried to swallow, but it hurt. Sam was looking at her like she was the one with all the answers. There was honesty in his appeal for support. She needed to know what was happening as well.