Chapter 27

Lauren's POV

“And you can’t honestly blame me, Tess, because you weren’t there to hear the things he said to me. How he looked me in the eye and belittled me, told me I was nothing without him. That I was only where I was because of him.”

The memory alone sent a burning sensation crawling up my chest. “It was like he wasn’t even the same man I married,” I continued, my voice cracking slightly. “After everything I did for him, everything I sacrificed… how do I swallow all that and pick up this phone just to call him? How do I sound, Tess? I’d sound desperate, pathetic.”

Tessa let out a slow sigh, unfolding her arms as she stepped closer. “Look, all you need to know — the only thing that matters — is Elena,” she said. “You’re not calling him for yourself, Lauren. You’re doing this for Elena and Elena alone. Make that clear to him if you need to. And keep reminding yourself of it, too.”

For a moment, I let her words sink in. She was right. As pa