My Cheating Ex Begged Too Late

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In the middle of a kiss, my boyfriend pulled away.

He said he'd split his lip cracking crawfish.

When I told Bonnie Henson about it,

she fingered the diamond tooth cap she'd just had set and blew a ring of smoke.

Probably bit down on something wild out there and wrecked his mouth. I always told you he was no good.

I slid the ashtray toward herHe wouldn't. He swore I was the only one.

The day the office let us off early, I came home and pushed open the door.

Antony sucked in a breath and shouted.

Get rid of that damn thing.

And Bonnie had her arms locked around him, laughing like she'd lost her mind.

If it doesn't hurt a little, how will you ever learn?

A pain tore through my chest.

What's the fuss about? Antony's brow barely creased.

He grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around Bonnie.

No panic. No scramble to explain. As if I were the one being unreasonable.

Bonnie poked her head out from the blanket.

Not a shred of shame. She looked straight at me and curled the corner of her mouth.

Philippa, since when do you walk without making a sound?

Scared me half to death. I thought someone had broken in.

She pouted and burrowed closer into Antony's arms.

I stared at the man I had loved for five years, searching his face for even a trace of guilt.

There was nothing.

Antony pulled on a shirt and walked toward me, reaching for my hand.

Why are you home so early?

I thought you said the office had you working late tonight.

He reeked of Bonnie's perfume and the raw, sour smell of sex.

My stomach turned.

I shook his hand offDon't touch me.

My teeth were clenched and my voice shook no matter how hard I tried to steady it.

Antony, what exactly were you two doing?

He sighed, with that look he got when he thought I was making a scene.

Philippa, relax. Bonnie hit a rough patch, she got upset, had too much to drink.

I was just comforting her.

Comforting her.

Naked.

I looked at that familiar face and felt like I was staring at a stranger.

Three years ago I came down with a high fever. He ran through half the city in a downpour just to bring me back the rice porridge I always asked for. When the nurse slid the IV needle into the back of my hand, he was the one whose eyes turned red.

Pippa, I will never let you be hurt. Not even a little.

Those words still echoed.

And now, right in front of me, he was holding my best friend in his arms.

Does being drunk require taking your clothes off? I pointed at the tooth cap on the floor, and the tears I'd been holding back finally fell. Antony, do you think I'm stupid?

Bonnie let out a soft laugh behind him.

Oh, Philippa. That temper of yours, same as always.

Antony works himself to the bone every day, and you can't even lighten his load. All you do is keep tabs on him.

Men need to unwind once in a while.

She took her time picking her clothes up off the floor and putting them on.

We're all adults here. No need to act like the sky's falling.

I turned and looked straight at this woman who'd sworn, over and over, that she'd always have my back.

Bonnie, have you no shame?

Antony's expression went cold.

He stepped in front of Bonnie, blocking her from my sight.

Philippa, watch your mouth.

Bonnie's always looked out for you. Is this how you treat her?

Tears blurred everything, but I could see exactly whose side he was on.

My attitude? You two pull this disgusting shit right under my nose

and you're telling me to watch my mouth?

Antony's jaw tightened.

I told you, it was an accident.

Are you not going to stop until you've made everyone miserable?

He bent down, picked his jacket off the floor, and draped it over Bonnie's shoulders.

Bonnie's had a scare tonight. I'm taking her home.

Cool off on your own. I'll come back when you've figured things out.

He put his arm around Bonnie's shoulders and walked toward the door.

When he passed me, he didn't spare me so much as a glance.

Bonnie leaned into his arms and looked back at me with the smile of someone who had already won.

The door closed softly. I was the only one left in the house.

The air still smelled like them.

My phone screen lit up. A message from Antony.

Clean up the study. Don't let Bonnie feel awkward the next time she comes over.

I sat on the sofa without moving for the entire night.

The next morning.

Antony walked in carrying a few takeout boxes, acting as if nothing had happened.

Crab roe buns from that place on the north side. Waited in line half an hour for these.

Pippa, come eat breakfast.

I stared at the steam curling off the boxes and didn't move. He used to buy me breakfast from that shop all the timebut after I found out I was allergic to seafood, he never went back. Not once.

Bonnie loved crab roe buns.

I stood up and walked to the table.

I swept every box and everything inside them straight into the trash.

Antony's hand froze in midair.

He drew a long breath and looked at me, barely holding his temper.

Philippa, how long are you going to keep this up?

I already explained last night. It was an accident.

I looked at him, my eyes dry and rawLet's break up.

Those three words had circled inside me all night. When they finally came out, they were surprisingly easy to say.

Antony blinked.

Then he reacted like he'd just heard something funny.

Break up?

He stepped closer, reaching out to touch my hair.

I turned my head away.

His hand fell on nothing. For the first time, something shifted in his face.

Pippa, don't joke about things like this.

I know last night was on me. I apologize. But the person I love has always been you.

His voice was earnest, his eyes even carrying a trace of tenderness.

You know how Bonnie isshe's careless, she gets carried away.

I promise I'll keep my distance from her from now on, okay?

If I hadn't seen with my own eyes how he shielded Bonnie last night.

I might actually have believed that garbage.

Antony, do you honestly think cheating is something that can be forgiven?

I took a step back, putting distance between us.

You love me, so you slept with my best friend?

What do you call that? Spreading the love?

Antony's patience finally ran out.

He yanked at his tie, and his voice went cold.

I said it was an accident. Why do you have to keep dragging this out?

I'm out there every day making money, keeping us afloat. You have no idea how much pressure I'm under.

All you do is sit at home painting those worthless pictures nobody wants to buy, and I still have to come home and coddle you.

Every man alive has made the same mistake. You really need to turn it into a federal case?

Every word cut into me like a blade.

So that was what he really thought.

I had given up my career to take care of him, and in his eyes, all I did was paint worthless pictures.

My eyes burned red. I pointed at the door.

Get out.

Antony scoffed.

This is my house. If anyone's leaving, it's you.

Philippa, don't overestimate yourself. Without me, you couldn't even make rent.

He was certain I couldn't leave him.

And why wouldn't he be? For five years, I'd cut off nearly every relationship I had, pouring everything into orbiting his life.

Back then, I'd fought bitterly with my brother just to be with Antony, defying his objections until I finally walked out of the family home.

To prove to my brother that my choice was right, I'd lied to Antony, told him I was just an orphan with no family left.

Five years, and I'd been too proud to go back to the Barnes family even once.

Turns out my brother had been right all along.

I took a deep breath, turned, and walked into the bedroom.

I dragged out a suitcase and started packing.

Antony leaned against the doorframe, watching me.

He didn't try to stop me. His voice was all mockery.

Packing a few outfits to scare who, exactly? That temper of yours only exists because I let you get away with it.

Walk out that door, and who do you think is going to put up with you the way I have?

I ignored him, shoving the clothes I wore most into the suitcase.

The moment I zipped it shut, Bonnie's call came through on his phone.

Antony glanced at the screen, made no move to step away from me, and picked up.

Tony, my foot hurts so bad. Can you take me to the hospital?

Bonnie's syrupy whine poured out of the speaker.

Antony looked at me.

Sure. Stay put, I'm on my way.

He hung up and straightened his jacket.

Bonnie twisted her ankle. I need to go check on her.

Stay home and have a good long think about yourself.

When I get back, I don't want to hear the word 'breakup' again.

I walked out with my suitcase.

Once I'd checked into a hotel, I sent my brother a message.

I was wrong. Come get me.

I closed the chat and noticed a new post on my feed.

A photo from Bonnie.

She was sitting in a hospital chair.

A man's hand, long-fingered and elegant, was wrapped around her ankle, kneading it gently.

On that wrist was a Patek Philippe.

The one I'd saved up months of freelance earnings to buy Antony for his birthday last year.

The caption readSome people just know when to show up and spoil you like a little kid.

The comments underneath had already blown up.

Ooh, Bonnie, is something going on here?

Those hands obviously belong to a gorgeous man. Just make it official already!

I stared at the comments, cold all the way through.

I didn't blow up. I just closed the app.

Making a scene now would only give Bonnie exactly what she wanted.

That afternoon, I got a call from a publisher I'd worked with before.

Philippa, that art book you submitted? The editor-in-chief picked it up.

There's just one thing. We need you to appear at a signing event next week.

It was the first piece of good news I'd had in years.

I agreed on the spot.

To get ready for the signing, I went to an upscale styling studio in the city center.

I'd barely sat down when a familiar figure appeared in the mirror.

Bonnie, arm linked through Antony's, laughing and chatting as they walked in.

The moment they saw me, both of them stopped dead.

Bonnie recovered first.

She let go of Antony and sidled up to me, all warmth and smiles.

Philippa! What are you doing here?

A place like this isn't exactly cheap, you knowwhere'd you even get the money?

She pitched her voice loud enough for every stylist in the room to turn and look.

I met her fake smile in the mirror.

None of your business.

Bonnie covered her mouth with a little laugh.

Oh, don't be mad.

Tony said you stormed out of the house. I was worried you'd end up sleeping on the street.

Why don't I cover your bill today? Call it compensation from Antony.

Antony stepped forward.

Philippa, are you done making a scene?

Running off to a hotel, spending money in a place like this. Do you even have enough on your card?

Come home with me. Stop embarrassing yourself in public.

He reached out to grab my arm.

I stepped aside, my gaze cold.

Mr. Delgado, we've already broken up.

Keep your hands to yourself.

His face went livid.

You really have to humiliate me in front of strangers?

Fine, I neglected you. But I'm here now, aren't I? I came to bring you back.

What more do you want?

He was used to looking down on everyone. Used to my obedience.

So even his peace offering came wrapped in condescension.

Bonnie poured fuel on the fire from the side.

Philippa, Antony's already swallowed his pride. Stop playing hard to get.

Men have thin skin, you know. Keep this up and you'll only push him further away.

Watching the two of them play off each other, all I felt was disgust.

Bonnie, since you care so much about his feelings, he's all yours.

Trash belongs in the bin.

Bonnie's expression flickered, and she turned to Antony with wounded eyes.

Antony, look at her

That was the last straw. His voice turned ice-cold.

Philippa, you are completely out of line.

Apologize to Bonnie. Right now.

Every stylist and customer in the studio had stopped what they were doing, staring at us.

I looked at that familiar face of Antony's and felt nothing but contemptfive years of my life, fed to a dog.

Apologize to her?

I was so furious I laughed.

Antony, have you lost your mind?

She's the one who crawled into someone else's relationship. And she deserves an apology from me?

Bonnie's eyes turned red instantly, and she clutched Antony's sleeve.

Antony, I'm sorry. This is all my fault.

I shouldn't have gotten so close to you. No wonder Philippa misunderstood.

Don't blame her. She just loves you too much.

Watching her put on that innocent act made my stomach turn.

Last night she'd been all claws and swagger, brazen as a street thug.

This two-faced routine had Antony completely fooled.

He pulled Bonnie behind him and looked at me like I was some screeching shrew who'd lost all shame.

Philippa, what can you do besides screech and make a scene like some fishwife?

Look at yourself right now. How do you compare to Bonnie? She actually knows how to behave.

I must have been blind to put up with you all these years.

I didn't hold back.

If you were blind, then stop coming after me.

I picked up my bag, ready to leave this sickening place.

But Bonnie grabbed my hand.

Pippa, that bangle is so pretty. I haven't been feeling well lately, and they say jade is good for your health.

I always used to give you my best things. So this time, it's your turn to give me something, okay?

Her best things?

I couldn't think of a single thing she'd ever given me.

She didn't even pay for her own milk tea.

I yanked my hand free.

The bangle on my wrist was the only thing my mother had left me.

A white jade bangle of the finest quality, luminous and warm to the touch.

Get off me. My mother left me this. I cradled my wrist against my body.

Antony scoffed.

Your mother left it to you? Didn't you pawn it to help me raise startup capital?

I'm the one who earned the money to get it back. So it's mine now.

He held out his hand, his tone leaving no room for argumentTake it off.

I stared at him in disbelief.

If he hadn't begged me so desperately back then, I never would have pawned my mother's keepsake in the first place.

And now he was using it to threaten me.

Antony, don't push me.

He seized my wristDid you hear me? Take it off.

Cold sank through my whole body.

In your dreams!

I shoved him hard and tried to bolt for the door.

Bonnie darted in front of me, blocking my path, her face set with the look of someone who wasn't leaving without that bangle.

I kicked her leg and pushed her aside with both hands.

Before I could get past her, Antony shoved me from behind.

My forehead cracked against the edge of the coffee table.

Something warm crawled down from my brow, and my vision flooded red.

Antony's footsteps stopped.

A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and his hand started to reach toward me.

But Bonnie let out a soft, pitiful cry at that exact moment.

Tony Philippa kicked me, my ankle, it hurts so bad.

The hand that had been reaching for me caught Bonnie's arm instead.

Bonnie whimperedIt really hurts. Only the finest jade can nourish something like this back to health.

I pulled myself back up, swaying, and tried to walk toward the door.

One look from Antony, and the two assistants behind him stepped forward and grabbed me.

My arms were wrenched behind my back.

Antony's expression said he saw nothing wrong with any of this

Philippa, you and Bonnie are best friends.

She's always been so good to you. She's hurt now. You should think about her for once.

One of them pinned my hand while the other worked the bangle down my wrist, inch by inch.

I thrashed against themLet go of me! You can't take it! It's mine!

The bangle was about to slide free when the glass door of the styling studio was kicked open from the outside.

A tall figure appeared in the doorway, backlit.

Who dares lay a hand on Marvin Barnes's sister!?

The bodyguards behind Marvin moved fast, locking down the room in seconds.