A Way Out

Chapter 31

"I'm engaged."

So many words. There were so many words I could say to Donovan, but not a single one came to mind. All I did was stare at the wall above him, lost in the vast landscape that my mind became. I looked for shelter in that landscape, to hide from the storm that my thoughts were, but the storm caught up to me as I looked at Donovan and felt anger boiling within me.

Donovan looked how I should feel, broken. His jaw went slack as his face paled, by the impact, his words seemed to have on me. The force he usually had in his eyes abandoned him completely, making a place for guilt, sadness, and despair. The powerful Donovan Dane was nowhere to be found, and it left this guilt-ridden man.

"Everly?" he tried as he stood up, trying to reach out to me. In response, I stood up, took a step back, and looked at him, blaming him, despising him for what he did.

"I'm far from stupid, but you make me feel like I'm the dumbest person on earth," I spat. It was true. I've been so blindsided and so amazed because someone like Donovan Dane showed an attraction towards me, just like I had been with Jake. The difference between him and Jake was that this ended before it even began and deep down behind all the awful things I felt right now, I was over the moon I prompted Donovan into telling me. The coward would never do it otherwise.

I wanted to know one thing. "Do you have a picture?" I needed to see this woman's face. Not to pain myself, but to see who she was. Who was Donovan Dane tied to?

Donovan's face fell as his jaw tremored. "Everly I- " Donovan began, but I didn't want any bullshit.

"Just showing me would suffice," I snarled.

It defeated Donovan. His secret defeated him. It had caught up to him and laughed right in his face, because of what it had caused. Victorious at the damage it left its victims with. With a sigh, Donovan took out his phone, search for a picture, and showed me. The moment I laid eyes on the picture I nodded. It was the blond woman I encountered at Dane publishing twice and I felt like I could've known.

"Did Cole visit a bridal shop for you guys?" I asked. If that was the case, Raleigh's love could still be saved.

In response, Donovan just nodded. At least now Raleigh could have her happiness. I slowly gave up on it. Maybe I'd be better off on my own. That way I wouldn't hurt anymore. The only one who would be responsible for my pain was me.

"Have a nice evening," I snapped, before turning around and walking straight out the door. I could hear Donovan behind me, faintly calling out to me, but that didn't matter. He cracked my already damaged heart, and I fell for it once again. I fell for sweet talk, desire, and beautiful smiles. Again, I got trapped in something that eventually was too good to be true. It was never right and I was through. Through with love.

As I made my way home, my mind was still in too big of a mess to be ready to talk to someone. The cab driver respected my silence, and I left a tip for the kind smile he gave me when I got out of the car.

For a moment I looked at my apartment building. I knew Raleigh was home, and I also knew she would be too curious to know what had transpired during my time at Donovan Dane's house. Truly, I couldn't even comprehend it myself. I fell for a coward, someone who had been selfish and even admitted to it.

"Eve?" Raleigh asked once I slammed the front door shut. Slowly, I took off my coat and hung it on the coat rack beside the door. I wasn't ready to talk because I didn't want to talk. The only thing I wanted was to sleep. To drift off in a peaceful slumber so I didn't have to think for a few hours.

I braced myself for questions Raleigh may bombard me with and I walked into the living room. Raleigh sat on her usual spot on the couch, watching some soap opera I could care less about. Her scrutinizing eyes observed me as I avoided them by looking at the TV.