Chapter 24. The Other Woman

Diana sat up carefully, keeping her wrist against her chest.

“What is it?” Gabriel asked.

She showed him the screen.

He read the message, then looked at her. “Do you want to answer tonight?”

“If I were her, I'd already be staring at the phone.”

Diana typed, deleted the first sentence, and started again.

No. We were together for two years. I didn't know he'd told you that until I found out about the wedding. I'm sorry I didn't tell you then.

Claire's reply took several minutes.

He said you were lonely. That you didn't have much family and he felt responsible for you.

Diana closed her eyes. Beside her, Gabriel said nothing. She was grateful; there were several things he could have said about Leo, and none of them would make this part less ugly.

He stayed at my place often, she wrote. He had his own apartment, but I helped pay his rent when he said he was short. I can show you the dates if yo