Page 97 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for believing you were dead. I’m sorry I didn’t search harder for you.”

“You did what you could. Don’t carry that guilt. None of what happened to me was your fault.”

A deep sadness settles over her features.

“And if I’m being honest, your relationship with Bianca wasn’t any different. I was the first to be fooled. I’m the one who brought her into our lives, the one who insisted we bring her into the company. I understand... but...”

She doesn’t finish the sentence.

But I understand.

To me, I was trying to rebuild my life.

To her...

It was betrayal.

“You replaced me...”

The words carve straight through me.

“Never.”

She shakes her head faintly.

“Maybe not in your heart... but in your life. You were going to build something with her. Maybe even a family. And I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forget that.”

Her voice fractures on the last words.

I press my forehead against hers.

“I clung to her because she made your absence a little easier to survive,” I admit. “I didn’t even realize I was staying with her for the wrong reasons.”

Her eyes search mine uncertainly.

I fight the urge to touch her.

“I’m not going to ask you to forgive me today. And I’m not going to ask you to take my word for it.”

My throat tightens.

“I’m only going to tell you the truth.”

I gently squeeze her hand.

“You came back after going through hell. You’d lost everything. You were alone. Hurt. Terrified.

And instead of taking you in my arms...”

I close my eyes for a second.

“I accused you.”

The words tear through me as they leave my lips.

“I should have listened to you. I should have believed you. No matter how impossible your return seemed. No matter what I thought I knew.”

My voice breaks.