Operation Revenge (4 page)

"Of course." She moved aside and he crossed the threshold. "What brings you by? Not that you need a reason to pay me a visit."

"There is something-" He hesitated for a moment. "We need to talk."

Haley shut the door and turned to face him. "It sounds serious."

"It is."

"Then let's sit down." She led the way down a short hallway and into the living room. "Would you like something to drink?"

"Thank you, but no."

"So what do you want to talk about?" Haley asked once they settled on the couch.

"Chad." Simon cleared his throat. "He has - I mean - he's - well, hell - I-" He broke off, sighing. "I'm sorry. It's just-" He cleared his throat again. "This isn't easy for me."

"Take your time." She reached out and placed her hand over his. "What ever it is you can tell me."

Simon glanced down at her hand. It looked small and fragile against his larger one. Slowly he turned his hand over and grasped hers gently. "Daniel was at the club last night when he spotted Chad with - with another woman." He took a deep breath. "They were kissing. He's - he's cheating on you, Haley." Her hand squeezed his to the point that his fingers were turning white. He flinched at the pain, but did not make a sound. Raising his gaze, he saw her head was bowed. Her hair shielded her from him. "Haley, I-"

"Give me a minute," she croaked.

"Take all the time you need," he told her softly. He heard her sniffle and looked around for a box of tissue. He spotted one on the end table next to the couch. Leaning over, he grabbed a tissue
and held it out in front of her. With a shaky hand she took the tissue from him, dabbed at her eyes, cheeks, and then blew her nose. "Would you like me to get you a glass of water?"

"Please."

Simon squeezed her hand gently, released it, and got to his feet. He crossed the small living room and entered the kitchen. After searching through the cabinets he located the glasses and filled one with cold water from the faucet. Returning to the living room, he joined her on the couch once again and held out the glass. "I'm sorry, Haley. I know that doesn't make it any better."

"You're right," she whispered. "It doesn't, but thank you anyway." She took a drink and set the glass on the coffee table before her.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he inquired carefully.

"Are you sure Daniel saw Chad?" she asked. "Maybe he thought it was-"

"It was Chad." Simon ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "But even if there was a small doubt about whether it was him last night it doesn't really matter. I know for a fact he's cheating on you. I - I walked in on him and his secretary yesterday. They were kissing. I confronted him about it. The bastard stood there, looked me in the eye, and swore he wasn't cheating on you. It was just a kiss he told me."

"Kissing another woman is cheating," she snapped.

"That's what I told him," he said.

Haley took a shuddery breath. "I don't know why this comes as a shock to me. He's been acting strange lately." She closed her eyes and groaned. "I feel like such a fool. If I hadn't been so damn blind and trusting maybe I would have seen the signs. There had to have been some sign that he was cheat-" She reached for the glass and took another drink. "A year, I've wasted a year on him."

"Do you want to confront him?" Simon asked her.

"Yes," she muttered, her eyes blazing.

"Then let's go."

"I won't involve you in-"

"I'm all ready involved," he pointed out. "I'm going with you, Haley. I don't want you doing this on your own. Now let's go."

"All right."

"I don't want you to go in," Haley said when Simon shut off the car, ten minutes later. "He's your friend. I don't want to cause trouble between you two. It's for the best that you just wait in the car." She reached for the door handle and stopped when she felt his hand on her arm.

"I appreciate your concern, but I don't want you to worry about me or about Chad. This is about you and what you're feeling. I'm in this all the way."

She studied him for a minute. "Why? Why are you doing this? This isn't your problem. I'm not your responsibility."

"True, but-" Simon raised his hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He caressed her cheek lightly. "I feel protective of you. I don't know where the feeling comes from. I just know that I need to help you . . . to be here for you. Are you ready to go in?"

Haley turned her head and stared at the house. "I keep telling myself this is just a bad dream and any minute now I'm going to wake up."

"I wish it was a bad dream."

She sighed heavily and opened her door. "Let's get this over with."

They got out of the car and headed up the driveway. There was an SUV parked behind Chad's car, leaving Haley to wonder about the owner. She led the way up the steps and rang the doorbell. Several seconds later, the door opened. A raven-haired woman with hazel eyes asked them politely what they wanted. Before Simon could say anything Haley spoke up.

"I want to talk to Chad, my boyfriend, or I should say my soon to be ex boyfriend."

The woman frowned. "He told me he was single."

"It seems he's playing us both," Haley told her. "I've been with him for a year. How long have you been with him?"

"A month."

Haley felt a pang of sympathy for the other woman. Like her, she too had been deceived by Chad. "May we come in?"

"I think you had better."

"Alyssa, darling, who's at the door?" Chad called out.

Anger sprang to life inside of Haley. The urge to do bodily harm was so strong it nearly took her breath away. She took several deep breaths and followed Alyssa into the living room, where she found Chad pouring champagne into glasses. "It's just me, darling," she sneered. "You know, your
girlfriend."

Chad dropped the champagne bottle. It hit the glass coffee table, shattering the glass top. Shards of glass flew everywhere while champagne pooled onto the floor.

"Oh dear. I hope that doesn't stain the carpet."

His face devoid of color Chad stared at her like a deer caught in the headlights. "H-Haley, what are you-"

"Didn't think you would get caught, did you?" She gave him a look of pure loathing. "How many women have you used and lied to?"

"I would like to know that myself." Alyssa crossed her arms and glared at him. "You told me you weren't involved with anyone. I made sacrifices so we could be together."

"He's all about others making sacrifices, but heaven forbid if he has to make any," Haley said coldly.

"Well my days of making sacrifices are over." Alyssa marched over to the entertainment cabinet and snatched up her keys. She turned and spit at Chad. "You can go to hell for all I car." She looked at Haley. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize," she said. "You didn't know."

"Still, I'm sorry."

Haley nodded. "She was too good for you," she said to Chad once Alyssa had left.

"Get out!" He bent down and picked up the bottle. "I don't want to hear your whining or your bitching."

"Hey!" Simon stepped forward. "Don't talk to her that way."

Chad turned on him. "If you don't like it then get her out of here. What the hell are you doing with her anyway? You bought her a drink last night, you called her this morning, and now here you are with her. Are you screwing her?"

"How dare you accuse me of cheating?" Haley snarled, her eyes flashing with hatred. "I have always been faithful to you. You're the one being unfaithful. How long have you been cheating on me?"

"Since the day we got together." He smirked. "You made it so easy for me. You never asked questions, never grew suspicious. You were either naïve or just stupid."

A wave of dizziness hit her and she began to sway. Luckily, Simon was there to catch her before she collapsed to the floor. She held onto him tightly, determined to finish what she started. "Was it all a lie?" she queried in a hoarse voice.

"Not all of it." He gazed into her eyes. "I do love you, Haley."

"No, you don't." Her eyes started to fill with tears. Not wanting to break down in front of him, she tried to keep them at bay. "You don't cheat on someone you love. I gave you everything and you threw it back in my face."

"I'm sorry," Chad said softly.

"Sorry is not good enough." She caught a tear as it slid down her cheek. "I will never forgive you. Never." She turned her head and glanced at Simon. "Please, take me home." Simon wrapped an arm around her waist and steered her toward the door. She didn't look back.

Chapter 5

"He was cheating on you!" Sandra growled, her eyes flashing. "I'm going to kill him!"

Haley gave her sister a weak smile. They were sitting on the couch talking about what happened last night. "Take a number and get in line." She rubbed her puffy, bloodshot eyes and yawned. Last night she had trouble falling asleep. When sleep finally claimed her, it wasn't a peaceful one. Her messy bed was proof of her tossing and turning. She was exhausted both emotionally and physically. Another yawn escaped her and she hid it behind her hand. "Sorry."

"No need to apologize, sis," she said quietly. "I'm glad Simon was there for you. You didn't need to go through it alone."

"Simon has been wonderful." Haley laid her head back against the cushion and closed her eyes.

"Why don't you lie down for a while?" Sandra suggested. "I imagine you didn't get much sleep last night."

"I couldn't sleep if I tried."

"Then let me make you something to eat." She checked her watch. "It's after twelve. I could make you some lunch."

The thought of food made Haley feel queasy. She started to say no and stopped when she saw the worried expression on her sister's face. "I'll eat, but I don't want you waiting on me. I can take care of myself. Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

"No." Sandra reached for her purse and removed her cell phone. "Go on. I'm just going to check and see if I have any messages."