He Begged Me to Let Him Go, Now He’s Begging to Come Back Chapter 07

Sam Reed walked in.

He was wearing a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, carrying a thermos in his hand.

Sam was my research partner and a senior colleague from my Harvard days.

He walked over to my desk like he belonged there and set the thermos down in front of me.

“My mom made beef stew. She insisted I bring it to you.”

The tension in my shoulders eased the moment I saw him. “Tell her I said thank you.”

Greg stood off to the side, staring at Sam with an expression that shifted from confusion to poorly

concealed jealousy.

“And who are you?” Greg asked. His tone had an edge to it.

“Sam Reed. Emily’s colleague.” Sam turned and extended his hand politely.

Greg didn’t take it. He just looked at Sam coldly. “Just a colleague? Nothing more?”

He turned to me, and now his voice was sharp with possessiveness. “Emily, is this your new guy? Did you find him just to make me jealous?”

He still believed everything I did revolved around him. If I found someone new, it had to be to hurt him. If I became successful, it had to be to get back at him.

I didn’t even have the energy to sigh anymore.

“Mr. Thornton, your imagination is both limited and incredibly self-centered.” I pointed at the door. “This is a doctor’s office. Please leave.”

Greg’s jaw tightened. He glared at Sam. “Emily. You’re going to regret this.”

He turned and slammed the door behind him.

Sam watched the door rattle in its frame and raised an eyebrow. “That’s your ex?”

I unscrewed the lid of the thermos. The smell of rich beef stew filled the room. “That’s him. A sad little man trapped in his own delusions.”

Sam laughed softly and pulled up a chair. “I don’t think he realizes he lost you a long time ago.

“Don’t worry about him.” I poured myself a bowl of stew and took a sip. The temperature was perfect. Warm

all the way down.

That night, I walked to the hospital parking garage.

Greg’s car was parked next to my spot. He was leaning against the door, surrounded by cigarette butts on the

ground.

When he saw me, he stubbed out his cigarette.

“Emily. Whatever Sam Reed can give you, I can give you too.” His voice had an obsessive edge. “My lawyer is drawing up divorce papers. Just say the word, and I’ll come back to you.”

I stopped walking and looked at this man who had once taken everything from me.

All I felt was disgust.

“Greg. Do you really think all you have to do is snap your fingers and I’ll come running?”

I clicked my key fob. The headlights of my Porsche flashed.

“Keep your scraps. Cherish them.”

Greg watched my taillights disappear into the night, his face twisted with rage.

I thought it was just the pathetic tantrum of a desperate man. But I underestimated how far those two would go to drag me down with them.