Chapter 49

**Brad’s POV**

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” Angela's cool voice swept across the room like a caress. I looked down at her where she was comfortably resting her head on my shoulder.

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” I questioned, feigning hurt. She rose and stared at me. Her hands still resting on my chest and my arms securely around her.

“I know how much you adore work.” She sounded cheerful and I smiled.

“I am taking a ‘me’ day,” I confessed and she stared at me incredulously.

“Since when?” She mused.

“Since my wife needs to be comforted,” I replied suggestively, she blushed slightly and lowered her gaze. It was then I saw the faint crimson glow on her cheek. The one that was ruthlessly assaulted.

I passed my fingers along the area ad saw her look away. “I can’t believe she did that.” I know I sounded sullen and I did feel it.

“It’s fine. Just please warn me about any possibly violent ex-mistresses slash girlfriends.” She replied good-naturedly and I felt angry. She shouldn’t be this understanding; I did some pretty unforgivable things.

“It’s not fine. I should’ve known she would pull something like this. I should have stopped her.” I countered and she smiled.

“The past is the past. I knew Rose all my life and never thought she would slap me, there is no way you could’ve known.” She replied but I couldn’t help the guilt. After all, it was all my fault. Rose was a mistake, one I could never atone for. In some ways, I was responsible for ruining a friendship, no matter how screwed up it was. At that moment I wondered how I ever faced myself knowing I was sleeping with someone my wife knew.

“I am still very sorry for it all.” I offered but before she could answer the doorbell sounded.

She gave a reassuring smile and walked off.

**Angela’s POV**

My knees felt numb and I felt excited...I have no idea what this was. I got up cautiously, ensuring I could maintain balance and walked to receive whoever it was at the door. I tried desperately to calm my body. This...Brad was being uncharacteristic. Did he apologise for Rose? The man who never regretted any decision? Maybe there was hope for us.

I pulled the door and smiled whole-heartedly at the sight.

“Emilia! What—?” I fell too short for words. If I saw her every day it still wouldn’t be enough. She smiled and hugged me.

“I didn’t get to say goodbye last night, Brad basically threw everyone out.” She chuckled, we broke off our embrace.

“Well come in.” I ushered her in and on our way to the living room, Brad stood from his placement.

“Hey.” Emilia greeted.

“Emilia.” Brad acknowledged. “Have a seat.” He offered and Emilia shot me a questioning look, one I returned.

We all sat and the atmosphere seemed almost strained. “So what really brings you here?” I questioned. I knew there was something. I could see it in her eyes; she had come with a purpose.

Her eyes lit up instantly. I flicked my gaze to Brad who had taken up a book, seemingly ignoring us.

“Well the girls and I thought that since we have been shirking our commitments with each other we should go out. We were planning to book a night at this resort, just us girls. It’d be fun, we can gossip, get drunk maybe invite a couple of stripers...” She trailed off and from the corner of my eyes I saw Brad raise an eyebrow and I tried to contain my laughter.

It was a brilliant idea. We hadn’t done something like this in what feels like forever. We had always promised that despite what life threw us we would always make time to honor the friendship that got us through a lot of tough times.

I looked at Brad, I wanted to go and Brad didn’t control where I went and with whom, but he did take the day to be home...with me.

“Go have fun. You deserve it. I will take care of Harvey until you get back.” He encouraged.

“Are you sure? I’ll feel guilty leaving since you stayed at—“

“Angela, just go. I will go into the office; I have some work to do anyway.” He nodded his head to the stairs and I knew he was telling me to go pack. I smiled my thank you's.

“I guess we are having a reunion.” I agreed and Emilia’s smile was equivalent to the burning illumination of the sun. I excused myself and went to pack.

**Brad’s POV**

I wasn’t too excited about having Angela gone for an entire night after the progress we just made but she seemed excited to spend time with her friends and I couldn’t let her regret that.

“Why is Angela’s cheek red?” Emilia questioned and I grew angry. Not at the woman sitting in my presence but at the remembrance her words brought. My fists clenched at my sides and the words came out in a hiss.

“Rose assaulted her last night.” I could feel the airflow halt.

“The bitch did what?” Emilia sounded outraged and I saw the need to protect her friend glow dangerously in her eyes. “And what did you do?” His tone was accusatory, but I ignored it. I deserved the blame.

“I threw her out and told her it was over. I am not so sure she listened.” I confessed. Emilia seemed to calm down.

“It must have done the trick, she left to go on vacation with her fiancé.” She confessed and I felt relieved. At least I didn’t have to worry about her trying to get at Angela.

“Can I ask you something?” Emilia’s voice grew serious.

“You may ask, but I may choose not to answer,” I replied stiffly.

“Don’t you ever feel remorseful about Rose?” His tone suggested that this question would shape the way she saw me. It would define a lot for her.

I sighed. There was no point lying. “Honestly, I didn’t give a crap. Remorse was not something I did. But recently, I find that I am wondering how it affected Angela. Even if she could forgive me, I can’t forgive myself for causing her the pain I did when I was part of such an inhumane act. I could never atone for such stupidity.” I looked at her squarely in her eyes, my voice monotone but I knew my eyes would tell the truth.

Emilia smiled. “That’s a good start. You better treat her well.” She warned playfully, accepting me as more than Angela’s husband but rather as a friend.

“I intend to. But I hope you can say the same. I am not there to look out for her. Keep her safe.” I warned.

“Safe? Angela will be the one protecting us!” She giggled.

“And I am not so comfortable with the idea of male strippers around my wife,” I responded defensively.

“Afraid they would be taking your night job?” She teased and I gritted my teeth.

“They better not dare.” My voice was low and she smiled.

Angela made her way down the stairs with her necessities packed I walked over to her and took the bag from her. She smiled down at me. I pulled her into my arms and gave her a slow, lingering kiss savoring the taste of her. Tonight will be a difficult one.