Page 39 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"No," I admit. "I don't."

"Then don't tell me you're sorry. Sorry doesn't fix this."

Silence settles between us. She takes another drink from the bottle, then seems to remember I'm there.

"Want some?" She offers it to me.

I take it. The champagne is expensive, the kind that should be savored in crystal flutes at a wedding reception. Instead, we're passing it back and forth on a hotel terrace, everything in ruins.

I take a long drink and hand it back.

"I've been trying to reach Miles," I tell her.

"He won't answer."

"Good. I hope he rots."

"Scarlett—"

"Don't defend him." Her voice cracks.

"Please don't defend him."

"I wasn't going to." I lean forward, elbows on my knees.

"What he did is unforgivable. I've known Miles was impulsive his whole life, but this..." I shake my head.

"This is beyond anything I could have imagined."

She studies me for a moment, mascara-stained eyes searching my face.

"Where are your friends?" I ask.

"Jane and Sarah?"

"They've been with me all day. Trying to make me feel better."

She takes another drink.

"I told them I needed some time alone.They went back to their rooms. I guess they're probably worried, but I just..." She trails off.

"I couldn't be around anyone anymore."

"And yet here I am."

"Here you are." She looks at me.

"Why?"

"I needed air. Saw you out here."

"You could have gone back inside."

"I could have."

"But you didn't."

"No."