You Chose Her, So Don’t Beg Me Now

Brielle's POV

The suitcase sat open on the bed, half full. I shoved another sweater inside and pressed it down, though my hands were shaking so badly I could barely fold it. Every few seconds, I glanced at the bedroom door, half expecting Gideon to walk in and ask what I was doing.

But I knew better.

The door slammed against the wall.

Gideon stood there with his phone in his hand, his jaw tight. “Explain this.”

I stopped packing. “Gideon…”

He held the screen towards me. The video showed me and Everett Cole in a hotel hallway, his hand resting on my waist as I turned towards him. From that angle, it looked as though we were about to kiss.

“That isn't what happened.”

“Looks clear enough to me.” His voice was low. “You and him were together last Thursday.”

“Someone edited the video. We were arguing about a contract.”

He gave a humourless laugh. “Arguing, with his hand on you?”

“I pushed him away. You didn't watch what happened after that.”

“I watched enough.” He locked his phone. “Packing already? Good. Saves me the trouble of throwing your things out.”

I stared at him. “You really think I would do something like that?”

He said nothing.

“Look at me. I'm standing right here telling you that video isn't what you think.”

“And I'm supposed to believe you because you said so?”

“I'm your wife!”

The words came out louder than I intended. I stepped around the bed, trying to catch his eyes. “You walked in here already convinced. Why even ask me?”

“Because I wanted to hear the lie from your own mouth.”

My throat tightened. “It isn't a lie. Everett has been pushing for a partnership with my design firm for weeks. He cornered me in that hallway, and I told him no. Someone filmed one moment and made it look like something else.”

“Convenient story.”

“It's the truth. Look at the full video or call him yourself.”

“I already spoke to him.” Gideon moved closer. “He said you two have history. Old sparks. Said you never really got over him.”

My stomach dropped. “He said that?”

“Why would he lie?”

“Because he wants the contract. Or because someone paid him to say it. Lucy has been…”

“Leave Lucy out of this.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “There you go again, defending her. She's been whispering in your ear for months.”

His shoulders stiffened. “She's the only person who's been honest with me.”

“Honest?” I pointed at the suitcase. “She's the reason this is happening. Every time we fight, she appears with some new concern. Every time I try to fix things between us, she finds a reason to pull you aside.”

“You have no idea what you're talking about.”

“Then tell me I'm wrong. Tell me she hasn't been calling late at night or finding excuses to visit whenever we're having problems.”

“She is my friend, Brielle.”

“And I'm your wife. Or have you forgotten?”

His expression hardened. “You cheated. End of story.”

“I did not cheat.”

“The video says otherwise.”

I stepped closer. “Look at me and tell me you truly believe I would do that to you.”

His eyes searched my face for a moment. Something almost softened, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

“There is evidence, Brielle, and I believe it.”

“Then why come here at all? If your mind is made up, why not sign the papers and be done?”

He didn't answer. His gaze settled on the suitcase as if its presence offended him.

I turned back to the bed and grabbed another shirt. “Fine. Believe what you want. I'm leaving tonight either way.”

He caught my wrist. “Where do you think you're going?”

“Anywhere that isn't here.”

“With what money? Your firm is underwater. You think Everett is going to save you now that the truth is out?”

I pulled my arm free. “I'll figure it out.”

“Like you figured out how to keep secrets?”

“There were no secrets!” I faced him. “My business might be struggling, but I've worked too hard to let you use it as another reason to look down on me. I never asked you to save my firm, Gideon. I only wanted you to trust me.”

“Trust is earned.”

“And what about the trust I gave you? Did that mean nothing?”

He looked away. That small movement hurt more than I wanted to admit.

The front door opened downstairs. Heels clicked across the hardwood.

“Gideon? Brielle?” Lucy called. “I brought that casserole you like. The door was unlocked…”

She appeared in the doorway a moment later. Her eyes moved from the suitcase to Gideon, then to me. One hand rose to her chest.

“Oh my God. What's happened? Why are you packing?”

I stared at her. The timing, the soft voice, the concerned expression. It was all so familiar.

Gideon answered before I could. “She's leaving after what she did.”

Lucy's eyes widened. “What happened?”

“Ask your friend,” I said.

She looked at me, then back at Gideon. “Brielle, talk to me. Whatever this is, surely you can work it out.”

I took a step towards her. “How long have you been waiting for this?”

Her brows drew together. “Waiting for what?”

“The video. Everett. You always show up when things go wrong between us. How long have you been arranging this?”

Gideon moved between us. “Enough.”

Lucy lowered her eyes. “I don't understand why she's saying these things about me. I only came to see you both.”

“Who asked you to come?” I asked.

“I know you're upset, but you don't have to take it out on me.”

“Then stop giving me reasons to.”

Gideon's expression darkened. “That's enough.”

Lucy touched her throat. “I came because I was worried. You two have been struggling, and I thought a home-cooked meal might help.”

“You thought you'd finish what you started.”

“That isn't fair,” she whispered.

I looked past her at Gideon. His face had closed off again. Whatever doubt I'd glimpsed earlier was gone.

Lucy stepped farther into the room, her voice gentle. “Please don't go like this. Stay and talk it through. Whatever the video shows, there has to be an explanation.”

The way she said it made my skin crawl. She sounded like the only person in the room who wanted to save my marriage.

“There is no explanation that fixes this,” Gideon said.

I looked at him. “So that's it? You're not even going to give me a chance?”

“You've had your chance.”

I swallowed. “I see.”

Lucy moved closer to him. “Gideon, maybe we should give her some time. She's clearly overwhelmed.”

I almost laughed. There she was again, saying exactly enough to sound reasonable while making sure he stayed on her side.

I shoved the last shirt into the suitcase and pulled the zip closed. The sound seemed to fill the room.

“Then there's nothing left to say.”

Lucy reached towards my arm. “Brielle, please. Don't do something you'll regret.”

I stepped away from her. “I've regretted staying long enough.”

I lifted the suitcase from the bed and walked towards the door. Gideon made no move to stop me. Lucy stood beside him, her expression still full of concern.

As I passed her, she shifted aside to let me through. For once, she said nothing.

I stopped at the doorway and looked back at Gideon. I wanted him to ask me to stay, or at least give me one last chance to explain. I wanted him to choose me without being pushed into it.

He only stared at me.

“Just go, Brielle.”

I nodded, though my throat had tightened. “I hope you both get what you want.”

I stepped into the hallway and pulled my suitcase behind me. The wheels bumped against the threshold.

Then Gideon's voice came from behind me.

“And don't expect me to come looking for you.”

I stopped, my hand tightening around the handle. For a second, I thought about turning back. But he had made his choice, and I was done begging him to see what was right in front of him.

I dragged the suitcase farther down the hallway, leaving them both behind.

“Brielle!” Gideon called after me.

I stopped, but I did not turn.

“Don’t expect me to come looking for you,” he said.

My fingers tightened around the handle. “I won’t,” I replied.

“And when you finally understand what you’ve done, don’t expect me to be waiting.” I heard Lucy move closer to him, but neither of them followed.

I kept walking, refusing to give him another chance to mistake my silence