Patrick's gaze dropped. His pupils contracted, an involuntary reflex.
"What is this?"
I watched his hand reach to flip the first page, and the sting behind my eyes deepened. A bitter laugh escaped me.
"Call it your compensation to me."
A flicker of guilt crossed his face. Even he knew he'd gone too far.
He opened to the first page. Patrick was always careful; no matter how rushed, he'd at least skim the contents.
But then his phone rang. The name on the screen burned into my eyes like a brand.
Sweetheart June.
June Fox. The woman who had stolen eighteen years of my life. Who tormented me the moment I was brought back. Who had now killed my child.
Patrick knew everything I'd suffered. There was a time he'd despised June Fox too.
And now he had her saved as Sweetheart.
How absurd.
I let out a cold laugh. Eight years of love, reduced to a punchline.
Patrick answered immediately, his voice softening without him even realizing it.
A whiny, coquettish voice poured through the speaker.
"Patrick, I want boba from that place in Southvale. Come get it with me!"
He stood without a second of hesitation, already heading for the door.
"Serena, I'll be back in a bit."