Page 193 of Vega

“She’s still in the suburbs.”

I released a bitter laugh. Of course she was. Apparently, everybody in my life had decided the truth was optional.

Jamir sent an address while we were still on the phone.

“You sure she’s there?” I asked.

“I’m sure.”

“Bet. Thanks, Jamir.”

Then I ended the call.

I stared at the route on my navigation when it appeared. The address was only twenty minutes away if I turned off at the next exit.

I should’ve gone home. I’d already learned enough betrayal for one day. I didn’t know if I could take another lie.

“Fuck it.”

I switched lanes and took the exit. The drive took me farther into the suburbs, past rows of newer homes with trimmed lawns and cars parked inside wide driveways. Arielle had been living this close while letting me think she’d packed her life up and moved away.

I pulled up across from the address Jamir sent and killed the engine. As I got out and crossed the street, I stared at the two-story home, wondering how long Arielle had been here. Before she’d supposedly relocated, she had a condo in the South Loop.

I took long, angry strides towards the walkway. But as I approached the porch, the front door opened. My eyes darted towards it to see Arielle stepping outside.

She was smiling at something said behind her. I could hear the deep voice talking. She had one hand resting over a stomach that pushed clearly against her fitted dress.

I immediately stopped walking. She had to be around four months pregnant.

Finally, she noticed the large figure standing in front of her porch and gasped, clutching her chest. Then she realized it was me, but she still appeared to be just as terrified.

For a second, Knox froze. The smile left his mouth first, then his eyes widened. But he quickly recovered. He forced the surprise expression off of his face and replaced it with an unfazed one. Beneath all that forced calm, I saw pride and satisfaction in his eyes. Knox didn’t just look caught. He looked like part of him was glad the lie was finally over because now he could stop hiding how badly he wanted this shit to hurt me.

Finally, I found my voice. “The fuck is this?”

THE END