Chapter 9
Spencer had never known it was possible to feel hot and cold at the same time.
Sweating under a heavy bunny costume in the August heat…
And then freezing the second he saw me run into Julian’s arms.
He knew we were divorced.
He knew I’d move on eventually.
But a part of him had still hoped–maybe we had a second chance.
Julian and I were walking back from the beach when we saw him.
He was standing at the end of the boardwalk, totally out of place in that ridiculous bunny
suit.
He looked like a lost stray.
But then I remembered all the things he’d done to me, and honestly, it was kind of funny.
When I passed him, his fuzzy hand reached out and stopped me.
I told Julian, “Give me a sec. I’ll talk to him.”
Julian hesitated, worried.
I gave him a nod.
“Wait in the car. If I go missing, you have permission to run him over.”
Julian grinned, finally relaxed.
“Got it. Mission accepted.”
Once he was gone, Spencer took off the head of the costume.
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His hair was soaked with sweat, sticking to his forehead.
I’d never seen him look so pathetic.
Especially not for me.
I smirked.
“You’ve been wasting days out here.”
“Doesn’t Isabella need you glued to her side?”
Every time she came back to the States, Spencer practically lived in her pocket.
She strung him along like that for five years.
And he always fell for it.
But this time, he hesitated–then shook his head..
“I’m not going back to her.”
“I told her everything. I was only with her out of guilt.”
“I wasn’t there when she needed me, and I’ve been trying to make up for it ever since.”
“But in doing that, I hurt someone else, I don’t want to keep hurting people.”
“She left the country. Said she’s never coming back.”
He said it like it was no big deal.
But I knew Isabella. She definitely exploded on him.
Then stormed off.
And now he was here.
I let out a cold laugh.
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Chapter 9
“So you’re only here because she left you, huh?”
Spencer rushed to explain.
“No! I’m here because I love you.‘
“I told her all that because of you. I don’t want to hurt you again.”
“Valentina… I love you.”
Sweet words.
If he’d said that a few weeks ago–even for the hundredth time–maybe I would’ve forgiven
him.
But that hundredth chance came and went.
Now it didn’t matter if he meant it.
“I don’t need your love anymore, Spencer.‘
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“You think just because you love me, I have to love you back?”
His eyes filled with tears.
I was seeing his firsts–first time looking pathetic, first time crying.
But none of it moved me.
“Valentina… if you don’t love me, why’d you keep what I gave you?”
I paused.
He meant the properties.
“You mean the condos?”
“You seriously want credit for your guilt gifts?”
I laughed. “Keep them. I don’t want them.”
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“You think I care?”
“Those places just remind me of how many times you betrayed me.”
I left him with that, turning to go.
But Spencer grabbed my arm, looking stunned.
“You don’t want me. You don’t want the money.”
“What, you’re gonna shack up with some broke bartender forever?”
“What does he even have to offer you?!”
I yanked my arm away, eyes cold.
“I don’t need him to give me anything.”
“I just need him not to lie to me.‘
I walked
away without looking back.
Spencer tried to follow, but tripped over the costume feet.
All he could do wan
yell after me.
“How do you know he won’t betray you too?!”
The irony.
A man who already betrayed me, trying to warn me about someone who hasn’t.
I didn’t bother answering.
But Julian was waiting by the car, head lowered.
“Do you… not trust me?”
“I mean, I do own a bar. I’m not totally broke.”
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Chapter 9
“I could probably afford to support you, you know…”
I cracked up and tugged him closer by the collar.
“Try betraying me,” I warned, “and I’ll replace you by next week.”
Spencer never did take back those properties.
I got my own card, transferred all the rent payments onto it, and haven’t touched it since.
Julian’s bar was a total disaster, so we shut it down and turned it into a 24–hour diner
instead.
We only served fast food and non–alcoholic drinks, and I made the menu.
After all, Julian really wasn’t cut out for the business.
With some help from the innkeeper, the place took off in no time.
She started asking me when Julian and I were getting married.
Before I could answer, Julian jumped in. “We’re waiting.”
“At least I want to own a house first, so it’s a fair match.”
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