Page 113 of A Simple Reminder
“He didn’t tell me he had such a close friend visiting,” he says with a small smile.
I glance at the wall behind him, where a cluster of framed photos catches my eye. It’s a gallery of what I assume are his children and grandchildren—a big, happy family. Something about it almost tugs at my conscience. Almost. But then I remember Sophie’s tears, her career on the line, and the photos Jared sold.
No. No hesitation. No mercy.
Tony picks up the phone to buzz Jared’s apartment. “I’ll let him know you’re here, sir.”
I plaster on a pleasant smile, though inside, I’m a volcano waiting to erupt. “Thank you. Tell him Stephan is here.”
Of course, I looked up his real best friend. Stephan, lives in Jared’s hometown, a father of twins, and just as revolting as Jared himself. Micah dug up everything I needed to know, including the fact that Stephan often visits New York under the pretense of ”catching up” with Jared. In reality, the man uses those trips to cheat on his wife. Birds of a feather, I guess.
Tony nods, picking up the phone and dialing Jared’s apartment. His voice is calm, almost kind. “Mr. Miller? There’s a Stephan here to see you.”
There’s a pause, and I can just imagine Jared scrambling on the other end, trying to process why his dear friend would show up unannounced. He listens for a moment, then nods. “Of course, sir. I’ll send him up.”
He hangs up and turns back to me with a polite smile. “Mr. Miller says you can go right up. Apartment 14B.”
“Thank you, Tony.”
As I step into the elevator, the mask of pleasantries falls away. My jaw tightens, my fists clench, and the air seems heavier with every passing second. By the time I reach the fourteenth floor, I’m ready to explode.
Jared Miller has no idea what’s coming.
I knock on his door, my finger strategically covering the peephole. The sound of the lock fumbling is accompanied by Jared’s annoying muttering.
“Stephan, you annoying bastard. Why didn’t you—” His words trail off as the door swings open and his face freezes in shock.
“Surprise, motherfucker.” My voice is low, controlled, but it carries the weight of every ounce of fury boiling inside me.
I take a step into his apartment, and he instinctively takes one back. We dance this silent tango, him retreating while I advance until the door closes behind me. Now it’s just the two of us.
“You didn’t think I’d forget about you, did you?” I say, my harsh smile sharp enough to cut glass. “You didn’t think I’d let you ruin Sophie’s career, again, I might add. Oh no, Jared. That’s not how this works.”
I move closer, forcing him back until his spine meets the wall. Perfect.
“Liam, I?—”
“Shut up.” My hand shoots out, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him against the wall. His head thuds against it, his hands instantly clawing at mine.
I grip him firmly, holding him there, watching as panic overtakes him. It feels good seeing him like this. For a split second, I consider tightening my grip. Just enough to make him feel what it’s like to be completely at my mercy. Just enough to make him pay.
But then, Sophie’s voice echoes in my mind.Don’t do this, Liam. You’re better than this.
Her voice pulls me back, grounding me in a way nothing else can. My fingers loosen, and I step back, letting him drop to the floor like a sack of potatoes. He gasps for air, rubbing his neck and looking up at me with a mixture of fear and anger.
“Are you insane?” he chokes out, his voice raw and ragged. “You almost killed me!”
I roll my eyes. How dramatic can a person be?
“If I wanted you dead, you would be. Thank Sophie for that, by the way, you piece of shit. Because the only reason you’re still breathing is because of her.” I say, my tone deadly. Okay, I’m overdoing it, I would never kill him. I’m not a murderer, but he doesn’t know that.
“It wasn’t only me!” he blurts out, his voice cracking.
My brow furrows, and I take a slow, menacing step closer. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Jared swallows hard, his back pressed to the wall like he wants to melt into it. “It was Lilly,” he admits, voice trembling. “She told me you’d be in the spa with Sophie. She’d seen the way you looked at her in the office. She heard you together and she presumed you’d hook up with her in the Spa too. In her head, once the news came out, you’d realize Sophie was just using you, and you’d leave her.”
I crouch down fast, and Jared flinches. My face is inches from his, my voice deadly calm. “Did she think I’d leave Sophie for her?” I let out a cold, humorless laugh. “And then what, Jared? Make you head of interior design for all our hotels?” My laugh grows sharper, more biting. “Did you both sit around plotting how to climb the ladder while throwing Sophie to the wolves?” My voice rises, and my fist collides with his cheekbone with a sickening thud. Jared’s head snaps to the side, and he crumples further to the floor, groaning as he holds his face. The fear in his eyes is palpable, and for a fleeting moment, I wonder if he’s finally grasping the depth of his mistake.
