Page 96 of Love Under the Microscope
“I’ve fallen for you, Jack, yet you didn’t feel you could tell me your plan, even before you involved Nate.”
She’s fallen for me? Her tone is steady, almost measured, as if she’s trying to keep emotion out of her voice.
“I’m sorry, but I did what I thought was best.” I stare into her beautiful eyes, hoping she’ll see I acted in good faith. “I’m hurt you didn’t trust me to do right by you. You didn’t trust me to write the article, and you believed I wrote Drew’s crap article. You’ve thought I’d betray you at every turn, so what do we do about that?”
Even though I understand she’s had a rough time with relationships, I thought she’d see me differently than the others before me. After losing Aisha, I thought we were different and had something special that I never thought I’d find again.
“I guess we’ve both made mistakes that can’t be undone,” she says softly. “Which means it’s probably too late for us.”
My heart feels like it’s cracking open, but I hang my hopes on her probably. That leaves me some leeway. “So, you’re not willing to trust me? You’d rather let me go?”
I wait for her to answer, but I’m only met with silence. Guess I should’ve known that would be her answer. I shake my head.
“Okay, then.” I stand. “What I did was all for you, Zelda. Remember that.”
Walking to the door, I can’t shake the hope she’ll call me back. She doesn’t.
I close the door behind me. It slams accidently, the sound making me jump and a sign this is the end. As I return to the office, I can’t believe I found happiness again, only to lose it. And once again, it was snatched away from me by a greedy pharmaceutical company. Although the circumstances are different, the end still burns as badly as the first time.
And I can’t help but wonder… will I ever be happy again?
That’s a question to ponder later because I have one more thing to do for Zelda tomorrow, even if she doesn’t trust or want me. No matter what she thinks of me, I won’t let her down.
CHAPTER 24
ZELDA
In my office the next afternoon, I force myself not to slump in my chair. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel. Elated, joyful, victorious? Probably all those things, yet my heart aches so much. I wipe my eyes, surprised to find no tears. I feel as if all I’ve done is cry, but then I remember I’m at work. The one thing I’ve always been at Zentello is professional.
If only I didn’t hurt here, but I do. I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel better again.
It’s been less than twenty-four hours, yet I miss Jack desperately. Even after he changed plans and lied to me—betrayed me—I can’t believe how hollow I feel inside without him.
I told him to leave, yet I want to celebrate with him. I drove him away, and I’m miserable. Worse, it’s one hundred percent my fault.
“The launch went well.” Nate sits on the edge of my desk as he usually does. Only today, his smile could light up the entire building.
I think about the Orchid event we held a few hours earlier. “It did. Congrats.”
“It wasn’t our usual expensive, glitzy launch, but somehow it was better because of that.”
“Ashton did a great job.”
“I helped.”
“I know you did. I just wish you’d have told me so I could have helped too.”
He smiles, but it’s more to himself. “We had plenty of help.”
“The woman you’re dating?”
He shrugs. “She gave some input.”
“Is it getting serious?”
He smiles and exhales slowly. “Honestly, Zel? I have no idea, but I’m having fun.”
My heart warms that he’s finally enjoying his life again. It’s too easy to get caught up in work and lose yourself in it. I know that. He learned that from our marriage. Thanks to Jack, I finally realized that work isn’t everything, too. I thought maybe I’d found the one person who could persuade me to leave work on time and take a vacation. Then I let him go.
