Free Romance: The Betrayal: Romantic Suspense With A Bizarre Twist by Melody Hall Page A

his voice echoing through the door that was a crack.  “You can’t do this to me, Janelle.  Haven’t I lost enough?”  She paused, leaning in toward his door.  “Please, don’t…Dammit…” she heard the sound of a slamming phone and she cautiously proceeded.  She considered leaving, but she had come this far.  She knocked and heard the faint sound of his voice, “Come in!”
     
    She opened the door and saw that he was sitting at his desk, looking drugged.  “I…I can leave,” she stammered.
    He shook his head, “Don’t bother.”  He sat up in his chair.  “Find something?”
    She proceeded to his desk, awkwardly.  She held the picture, but before putting it in front of him.  “Tell me about you.”
    He looked up and confusion was evident.  “Pardon me?”
    She took the seat in front of me.  “Well, it seems that I did most of the talking at lunch.  I think you have a story to tell.  What is it?”
    He shook his head, “Not worth telling.”
     
    “Come on, Mr. Bradley.  I’m sure there’s something.  You have a beautiful family.  Start there.”
    When he looked up, she sat back.  There was agony on his face and she regretted saying anything.  He reached for the picture and stared at it.  “Do you know why this picture is on my desk?”
    She shook her head, “Probably because it’s your family and you want to show them off.”
    “Well, at one time that was true.  However, now it just holds bad memories.”  She watched as he traced the picture of his daughter.  “Her name was Jasmine.”
    “Was?”
     
    He nodded slowly, looking up.  “She drowned last year.  She was just five years old.”  He smiled, “Believe it or not, I used to be a very charismatic gentleman and a family man.  However, one weekend we had decided to go camping and I was going to have to work late on Friday night. 
     
    So, I told them to go up without me and I would come up Saturday.  My wife and daughter were in a boat when a storm came through.  She tried everything she could, but the boat capsized and Jasmine went under.  She was wearing a lifejacket, but the boat pinned her under. 
     
    My wife couldn’t find her until it was too late.”  She could tell that the memories were painful and tears were forming on his eyes.  “I never blamed her, but she didn’t know how to swim and she blamed me for not being there.”
     
    “I’m so sorry, Mr. Bradley.”
    He nodded, “Please, call me Jeffrey.”  She nodded, as he continued.  “She called me and I rushed to the hospital, but it was too late.  Right after the funeral she said she wanted a divorce.  It was an amicable one.  We didn’t have a prenuptial, but I didn’t worry about her taking me to the cleaners.  It finalized and I thought things were done. 
     
    My dad died last month.”  She covered her mouth, realizing the hurt he was feeling.  “I was left a hefty sum of money.  My ex is suing me for damages from the loss of her daughter.”
    “Can she do that?” She asked in disbelief.
    He nodded, “Unfortunately, people sue for all types of reasons.”
    “It’s your daughter, too.”  She argued.
    “I know, but her heart is still healing.”  He frowned, “My heart is still healing.”
     
    “My feelings exactly.”  Marisa stated.  She was irritated by the news, but she wanted him to know that she appreciated him telling her the story.  “Thank you for opening up to me, but I just think that you’re getting the raw end of the deal.”
    He smiled, “Yeah, you and me both.”  He shrugged, “It is what it is and I will just have to fight through.  Justice will win out, right?”
    “I suppose,” she mumbled, staring down at the picture.
    “You did want to show me something.  What is it?” she got up and walked around his desk.  She put the picture down in front of him and pointed out the image.  She was so close to him, that she was sure her breath was tickling his skin. 
    Their eyes met