Page 132 of Sin

“You don’t get to do that,” she says quietly.

“I know.”

“No, I don’t think you do.” She comes down two steps, one hand gripping the banister. “You don’t get to disappear into work for years, make me feel like a ghost in my own marriage, then decide we’re both equally responsible because you found some pretty employee who makes you feel alive again.”

My body goes rigid.

“Oh,” she says, voice dropping. “So there is someone.”

I say nothing.

A humorless smile twists her mouth. “Wow.”

I breathe once. Then again.

“Jenna,” I say.

“No.” Her voice breaks on the word, but she holds herself together. “No, don’t soften your voice now. Don’t look at me like you’re sorry. I’m sick of sorry. I’m sick of living in this house with a man who looks through me until he needs me to play wife for appearances.”

The accusation lands because it’s true. Maybe not all of it but enough.

“I’m going to stay with my parents,” she says. “When I get back, you had better have figured out your shit, or I’ll do it for you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her eyes harden.

“It means Blaze told me he stopped by your office a few weeks ago and caught us inside fooling around.” Her mouth curves without humor. “Except I know I wasn’t there. And I have a pretty good idea who was.”

“Don’t.”

The word leaves me before I can stop it and Jenna’s head tilts. There it is. The line. Not don’t say her name because I’m guilty. Don’t say her name because she’s mine and I won’t let you put her in your mouth like a weapon.

Jenna sees that too. Her face changes. Pain first. Then fury.

“Oh my God,” she whispers. “You’re protecting her. You unbelievable bastard.”

“I’m not going to discuss her with you.”

“Her.” Jenna descends the last few steps. “Let me guess. It’s Laurel Cross.”

My jaw locks. She smiles like she hates that she was right.

“And I’m sure the board would love to know you’re fucking an employee.”

The sentence hits exactly where she aims it. Not because of me. Because of Laurel.

My hands curl at my sides.

“Don’t threaten her.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

Jenna stares at me, stunned. “I just told you I know you’re sleeping with another woman, and that’s what you care about?”

“No.” My voice is low. “I care that you’re hurt. I care that I did that. I care that I’ve been a coward and a liar, and you didn’t deserve it.”