Page 179 of Once in a Lifetime, Part 2

Chapter 37

Ody turned toward Anna. She was already looking at him. Whatever she felt for him before, it wasn’t there anymore. “You.” Her gaze slid past him, locking onto Mano.

He was staring at her, jaw tight.

“You must be one hell of an actor,” she said. “Sitting there, listening to all my worries, all my fears about Ody’s mystery girl… and you didn’t say a word.”

Something in his expression faltered. The anger didn’t disappear, but it slipped. He didn’t say anything. Didn’t defend himself.

“You made a fool out of me,” she snapped, her eyes flicking to Ody before cutting back to him. “Both of you.” A hollow laugh slipped out of her. “I asked you not to tell Ody anything… When you were the one I should’ve been worried about.”

Mano looked away, blinking fast. He couldn’t hold her gaze.

“Anna… maybe we should go?” Nicky said, a few steps behind her.

“Already?” Anna let out a sharp breath. “I’m just getting started.” Her eyes snapped back to Mano. “You knew he was with me for two years. You knew… and you still came to Serifos and fucked him behind my back.”

“Anna, stop. It’s not Mano’s fault,” Ody said.

She turned to look at Nicky, a mocking smile pulling at her lips. “I wanted to use the bathroom, and Ody wouldn’t let me near it.” She looked back at Mano. “You were hiding in there, weren’t you?”

Mano squeezed his eyes shut and turned away.

“I’m serious. Leave him out of this.”

“Of course you’d defend your boyfriend!” she shot back, looking between them.

“Hey. Look at me. I was the one dating you. I made the promises. I failed you.”

“He took you from me. He’s the one who came after you. I know it!”

Ody shook his head, eyes closing. “I wanted him first.”

Anna froze.

Mano’s head turned, his gaze snapping to Ody.

“Since the double date,” Ody went on, forcing himself to look at her. “I just… didn’t realize it back then.”

Anna’s face crumpled. She just looked at him for a long moment, her lips parting before pressing together again. “I honestly don’t even know if it’s possible to hate you more than I already do, Odysseus,” she whispered, her voice hollow.

Ody didn’t move. “You can hate me all you want,” he said. “But don’t put this on him. You were with me. I’m the one who fucked up. I should’ve told you from the start.”

They held each other’s gaze.

A tear spilled down her cheek. “You both disgust me.” Her eyes moved from one to the other. “I hope you enjoyed it. Making a fool out of me.” She shoved past Ody.

Nicky hurried after her.

Ody shut his eyes, his head dropping. Mano turned away, his chest tight.

“Anna, wait—” Nicky caught up to her, grabbing her arm.

Anna stopped and broke into tears. Nicky pulled her into her arms as the sobs tore out of her.

“They were lying to me for three months,” Anna choked. “Three months!”

Nicky said nothing, just held her, her hand moving over her back.