Chapter 13
Adam slammed the door to his car shut, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel.
His breath came out in ragged gasps, his chest heaving with frustration. He had lost Sophie. She was gone, and it was all his fault.
But there was one person who wasn’t going to get away with this.
Brenda.
He turned the ignition, the engine roaring to life as he sped down the street. His mind replayed Sophie’s shattered expression and Brenda’s smugness from earlier. He wouldn’t let her win.
Moments later, he arrived at Brenda’s apartment. He barely registered the flight of stairs as he stormed up to her door and pushed it open without knocking.
Brenda was lounging on the couch, her legs crossed, a glass of wine in her hand. She looked up, startled at first, but then her lips curved into a sly smile.
“Well, if it isn’t the man of the hour,” she drawled, setting the glass down. “What brings you back here, Adam? Are you done with your romantic chasing?”
Adam didn’t answer. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her to her feet.
“What did you tell Sophie?” he barked, his voice laced with anger.
Brenda’s smirk widened as she tilted her head. “Why does it matter?” she said with a shrug. “She’s gone now. Isn’t that what’s important? She’s out of our lives, Adam. Now we can finally be together, right?”
Adam’s grip tightened as fury coursed through him. “Don’t play games with me, Brenda,” he snapped. “What did you say to her?”
She winced slightly at his hold and raised a brow. “If you want answers, maybe try asking nicely,” she said with mock sweetness. “Let go of me first.”
Adam hesitated, his jaw clenched.
Reluctantly, he released her, stepping back but keeping his fiery gaze locked on her.
Brenda smoothed her arm dramatically, sauntering back to the couch. She sank into it, crossing her legs as if she had all the time in the world.
“Fine,” she said with a sigh, “I’ll tell you. I told her… half of the truth.”
Adam’s brows furrowed. “Half? What does that mean?”
Brenda met his eyes, her tone dripping with nonchalance. “I told her we had sex. That I got pregnant. And that I lost the baby.”
The words hit Adam like a punch to the gut. His hands balled into fists as he fought to keep his temper in check. “You know that’s not true, Brenda!” he shouted. “Why the hell would you tell her something like that?”
Brenda leaned back, her expression unbothered. “Because it worked,” she said simply. “She left you, didn’t she?”
Adam’s chest heaved as he struggled to process her words. “Why didn’t you tell her the real truth?” he demanded.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she leaned forward, her voice dropping. “Because, Adam, the real truth doesn’t get me what I want.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Brenda stood, walking toward him with a predatory gleam in her eyes. “You told me you couldn’t be with me because of her,” she said, her voice softening. “But now she’s gone. Don’t you see? This is our chance. We can finally be together. We can start over. We can even try for a baby again.”
Adam recoiled, disgust etched on his face. “You’re delusional,” he spat.
Brenda stepped closer, her hands reaching for his arm, but he pulled away as if her touch burned him.
“I did this for us, Adam,” she insisted, her voice taking on a desperate edge. “For you. For us to have a future.”
Adam’s anger boiled over, and his hand shot up as if he might strike her. Brenda flinched but quickly composed herself, her smug expression returning.
He froze, his hand hovering in the air, trembling with restraint. Slowly, he lowered it, turning his back to her as he ran a hand through his hair.
“You’re a liar, Brenda,” he said, his voice low but filled with venom. “You’re a manipulative, selfish liar. And I’m done with you.”
Brenda crossed her arms, her confidence faltering slightly. “What are you saying?”
Adam turned to face her, his eyes cold and resolute. “I’m saying you’re fired,” he said sharply. “I don’t want to see your face ever again.”
Brenda’s jaw dropped, and she took a step toward him. “Adam, wait—”
But he didn’t. He turned on his heel and walked to the door, his heart heavy but his mind made up.
Pausing at the threshold, he glanced back at her one last time. “Stay away from me. Stay away from my life.”
And with that, he walked out, slamming the door behind him.
