I fidget with my phone as the elevator opens, and I walk to the front door. I still have a spare key Knight gave me, and I doubt she has changed the locks on the door quickly. I knock once, and when no one answers, I use the key to get inside.
“You know, I could shoot you for breaking and entering,” Abri says, standing in the entryway.
“So shoot me then, it’s what you want. To hurt Knight and punish me for the pain we’ve caused you.”
She narrows. “Since when do you know anything I want?”
“Since I remember that night.”
Abri studies me a moment and then turns toward the kitchen. I follow her and watch as she pours us each a glass of whiskey.
I take mine, thankful we might be able to have this conversation woman to woman. Or we will get drunk and turn this into a cat fight.
“Why are you here, Mila?”
I take a sip of the whiskey for encouragement. Abri is in a robe, and it’s clear she’s not wearing much underneath it.
“Because I want to apologize.”
She raises an eyebrow as she laughs. “You want to apologize?”
“Yes.” This is my only chance to protect Knight.
“I hurt you that night. I knew you and Knight were together. I knew you were in love and I hurt you anyway, and I want to say I’m sorry.”
“Your apology is five years too late.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for that as well.”
She drinks all of her whiskey. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t accept your apology.”
Shit.
“What do you want then, Abri?”
She paces back and forth as if no one has ever asked this question. “I want to be happy. I want to never worry about feeding myself again. I want to be with someone who loves me back. And I want you and Knight to pay for what you did.”
I wince at her last words.
“You were a princess, Mila. While I was trailer park trash. You had everything while I had nothing. I fought even to find enough food to live. I shivered in my bed at night because we didn’t have any heat while you had everything. Why did you have to take my boyfriend too?”
“I didn’t take him. And I wasn’t a princess. It was all an illusion. My parents were broke. I’ve slept on the streets. I’ve done unspeakable things for food. I understand. You’re a survivor, just like me. You would do anything to survive.”
“I did anything to survive.”
I nod.
“I don’t blame you for dating Knight. He was set to make a lot of money. You saw your chance, and you took it,” I say.
“I was happy. I had choices. I could divorce him and take half, or find a way to fall in love and live happily ever after.”
I still. “I get it. But you can still be happy now. You have the money. You don’t need to hurt us anymore. We’ve suffered enough.”
She laughs. “I’ve suffered for five years. I will suffer more from the memory of losing my baby. You haven’t known suffering.”
I catch my breath. This was a mistake. I won’t convince her to change her mind.
“Five years ago, when Knight stumbled into my room, I fell for him, but he didn’t fall for me. I kissed him, but he didn’t kiss me back. I begged him to stay, but he chose you. He loved you. You could have been happy.”
Her sob catches in her throat, and I realize the pain she carries. From seeing me with Knight. From losing her baby. From losing Knight’s love.
I walk over to her and hug her. She cries into my chest.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I say.
Finally, she pulls away, wiping her tears. The moment is gone, and anger fills her eyes.
“You should still pay.”
“We did. You have everything. Money, the apartment, the company.”
“And you have him.”
I suck in a breath. “You never loved him, only the idea of him.”
She slaps me, and I deserve it, but it’s the truth.
“I remember hearing you and Ren talk about Knight. You weren’t in love. You said he was a way out of your trailer park life. You planned on getting a divorce. You even said if it looked like you wouldn’t get enough money in the divorce, you’d kill him and get the insurance money.”
Abri stills at my words.
“Is my memory wrong?”
“No.”
“Did you try to kill Knight in a car accident?”
“Yes.”
“Did he ever hurt you? Beat you?” I suck in my breath, waiting for her honest answer.