I Sent Away Every Woman He Loved Until I Became the One Who Left Chapter 16

I Sent Away Every Woman He Loved Until I Became the One Who Left Chapter 16

Grant shut himself in the bedroom for three whole days.

Curtains drawn tight. Day and night blurred together.

He stared at the ceiling,

One thought circled in his head. If she weren’t cured, would she not have left?

If she relapsed, if she grabbed his sleeve like before and said, “Don’t go,” would he not have to sign that agreement?

He knew the thought was dirty. But he couldn’t control it.

He even thought about asking Dr. Porter if the cure could reverse.

If there was a trigger that could make her depend on him again.

The thoughts pushed down and surfaced again.

They nearly drove him insane.

On the fourth morning, his assistant sent a message.

[Mr. Keller, Ms. Winslow came to the office today.]

He shot up from bed.

On the drive to the office, his hands tightened on the wheel.

The thought was still there. Maybe if she saw him, she’d remember something.

Even a moment of confusion. A pause. A hesitation. Anything.

All along, he’d only wanted her to be normal.

If the price was not loving him, then he’d rather she be sick forever.

This love, from college to the altar, he couldn’t let go. Couldn’t forget.

Couldn’t quit.

new

Meredith sat behind her desk, reviewing a contract for a new project.

The office door pushed open from outside.

Brittany looked around the office.

Her gaze landed on Meredith, and she smiled.

“Well, well. Ms. Winslow is still working here?”

Meredith didn’t look up.

She closed the signed contract and set it on the corner of the desk. “Something you need?”

Brittany pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. She dropped her bag on the desk.

Arms crossed, she leaned back like she owned the place.

“I heard you made demands to my husband? Equity, property division, evidence of extramarital affairs… Meredith, you already stepped aside. Don’t be greedy.”

Meredith looked at her. Didn’t move. Didn’t answer.

Brittany shifted, uncomfortable with the silence. Her voice rose.

“Why are you acting so calm?”

“You think collecting some evidence will take Grant down? You know better than I do what kind of man he is. He’s been at the top for years…”

“First,” Meredith finally spoke, voice neither high nor low, “when you come to see me, first. This is my office.”

knock

Brittany froze.

“Second, what’s between Grant and me is between a husband and wife. It has nothing to do with you. You’re sitting here talking to me because I allow it. Remember that.”

Brittany’s face changed. The smile couldn’t hold.

The first time she’d walked into this office, she’d been even more arrogant.

Meredith hadn’t said anything then either.

She’d politely said, “Please sit,” and asked the three questions.

Now she was a completely different person.

Brittany shot to her feet and leaned over the desk, glaring at Meredith. “Meredith, don’t put on Pairs with me. Who do you think you are? I’ve got-”

She didn’t finish.

Meredith stood and slapped her.

A crisp crack echoed through the office.

Brittany reeled sideways. She covered her cheek and froze for two seconds, like she’d been

stunned.

When she came to and tried to slap Meredith back, the door pushed open.

“Brittany.” Grant stood in the doorway. “What are you doing?”