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So she waited

And he turned to Melinda and said, “You shouldn’t have done that”

The tears came then “Oh, but, Rafe, really Why not? I love you Always All those years ago, I kept waiting For you to say you wanted more You never did And I only wanted a chance, that’s all I only wanted—”

“Stop” He said it coldly “I don’t want to hear it Neither does my wife Whatever there was between you and me has been over for ten years”

“No No, don’t say that You cared You used to care And I know you only married her because of the—”

“Do Not Say It Don’t even think it You’re wrong” He said it strongly, firinally better—even if it wasn’t true He had married her for the baby’s sake after all

Melinda let out another sad little cry “Oh, but II only thought if I kissed you, you would remember hoas between us, you would—”

He silenced her with a hard chop of his hand through the space between theet your things together I want you to leave this house And I want you never to come back”

“But how can I do that? Brooke won’t understand She knows nothing about—”

“Brooke will understand completely I will explain it to her”

“Oh, my God” Melinda covered her face and sobbed into her hands

It ful Genny wanted to scratch the woman’s eyes out and then cut off her head At the sa just a little bit sorry for her

The disorienting swirl of mixed e her hands, pressing her fingernails into her palms as hard as she could, she used the pain to distract her froht there in front of her husband and the worabbed him and kissed him

Melinda cried harder, great, gulping sobs

Rafe tried again “Melinda Get control of yourself You have to—”

Genny couldn’t take it anymore “Rafe” He turned to her He looked furious—and in way over his head She said, “You’d better let me help her”

He swore then A very bad word “Don’t be absurd This is not your problem”

It wouldn’t be if only you’d listened toto do, pick her up bodily and carry her to her car? No Let me help Please”

He drew in a slow breath—and then he stepped aside