I Was Never the Wife

Zachary shot her a light warning. "Cathryn, tone it down."

I stared at her, blank. Hesitated. Then said nothing and headed to the restroom.

Zachary trailed after me. "I'll go with you."

But when I came out, he was gone.

I turned to leave—and then I heard soft moans coming from the lounge next door.

Something in me just knew.

I eased the door open.

Zachary had Cathryn pinned on the couch, kissing her like he couldn't breathe without it. Neither of them noticed me.

"Stop... Ms. Arden's still waiting," Cathryn whispered, barely resisting, voice all breathy.

"Forget her," Zachary said.

His eyes were wild with want, hands all over her.

"But she'll worry if you're gone too long," Cathryn said, pushing him off—barely.

He cupped her face. "You ran through the rain just to see me. You're drenched... I hate seeing you like this."

Her eyes shimmered. "I just wanted a glimpse. That's enough for me."

His face softened. He pulled her into a hug. "I missed you too."

Then he unclasped the pendant from his neck and slipped it around hers. "It's been blessed. I've worn it for years. Now it's yours—to keep you safe."

Cathryn lit up. She tilted her head and kissed him.

He kissed her back, deep and full of feeling.

My fists clenched so tight, my nails dug into my palms.

Nausea rolled through me. Everything blurred. My chest burned like a storm was ripping it apart. I had to grab the wall to stay upright.

That pendant wasn't just some gift.

It was a talisman. I'd climbed Mount St. Helena for it—fought through freezing wind just to reach that old chapel.

Hours of hiking. Hands torn up, knees scraped raw. I barely made it before sunset.

The priest said it needed a real prayer to work.

I gave it blood, breath, everything I had.

When I handed it to Zachary, he saw my busted-up fingers. His voice shook. "Sierra... why would you do this for me?"

I smiled and looped it around his neck. "Because it'll keep you safe. That's all I want."

He'd held me close, kissed me like I meant something. "I'll wear it forever."

And he did—until now.

Now he handed it off like it was nothing.

He gave her the safety I bled for.

He never saw the weight behind my gifts.

The pain in my chest was suffocating—like something had its hand wrapped around my heart, squeezing harder with every second.

So much for Zachary's promise of forever. Guess "forever" meant a few years, max.

His love? Never real.

They were still tangled up, kissing like they couldn't get enough. His hands were under her shirt, all over her.

She let out a soft moan.

"Feel good?" he smirked, speeding up.

She blushed, voice teasing. "Mm... I want you to touch me."

Then she reached down, grabbed him—and he lit up.

"You little minx," he murmured, slipping his hand deeper.

Kisses weren't cutting it anymore. Clothes hit the floor. They didn't stop.

Zachary's voice dropped low, almost tender. "Be good... give me a baby."