The President's Wife - Kathy Myme Page 0,74

I finally muster the strength to stop myself crying, I pack up all my bags. I didn’t have very many things here to begin with. Only the suitcases delivered from my apartment (still mostly packed up from when they were dropped off here) and a few bags I brought back from my escape to California.

I’m not going to be able to bring most of this stuff with me. Hopefully somebody has the sense to ship it back to my house.

When I leave my room, I’m wheeling two suitcases with me. Just what I’ll need for now.

“Ma’am-” Just as I’d thought, Jackson is outside. He holds up a hand, trying to get me to stop walking. But of course he doesn’t try to touch me as I walk past him. I’m still that powerful around here, even if all the secrets are out of the bag. “Ma’am, where are you going?”

“I’m going to find the President, Jackson.” I feel bad for him, since he’s just doing his job. But I don’t have time for this.

“Ma’am, if you could just stay where you are-”

“Jackson, I think we both know that this is coming to an end,” I tell him. “I’m going to find David now. But I’ve appreciated your company in my time here.”

“Ma’am…” His voice trails off, but he doesn’t try to stop me now.

The atmosphere around the White House is different now. When I’d walk around before, people - even high ranking officials - would secretly point and laugh at me in loud, energetic whispers. Now I’m stared at and ogled silently, like an exhibit in a stuffy museum.

Several people just like Jackson try to stop me on my way to the Oval Office. But I don’t let them get in my way. Whatever orders they’ve been given, the news of what happened between me and the President has shocked them all enough into submission.

When I reach the Oval Office doors, I don’t bother knocking. I just brush aside the guards and step inside.

David is there, standing alone. It feels like it’s been an eternity since I’ve seen him, even if it was only a few hours ago. He doesn’t look good, his face pale and serious. All the joy I’ve seen on his face over the last few days has been sapped away.

“Somehow I thought I’d see you here soon,” David says, giving me a sad smile.

“You know what we have to do,” I tell him. “How are your ratings looking?”

His smile loses any brightness. “Terrible, if I’m being honest. Across the board, people are calling me a liar. Someone unsuited to be president.” He runs a hand through his hair. “In fact, the word ‘impeachment’ has been thrown around once or twice…”

I stare at him. He’s putting on a brave face, but this must be hell for him. This loss of control.

“You can fix this,” I say, trying to read his face, “can’t you?”

David gives me a morose look. “Honestly… I don’t know. Andrews certainly hit me where it hurts.”

President David Shepard, impeached. Once the idea of it would have sounded ludicrous. But now… well, it could happen. And it would be my fault.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I know how important your image is to you.”

There’s a little bit of bitterness infused into my words. I can’t help myself. Andrews might have been a snake, but what he told me… it’s certainly in character with David. The truth is right in front of my eyes. I can see how much this whole scandal is hurting him alongside his career.

“Veronica…” David’s hands reach out, grabbing my own. The warmth of him makes me want to give all of this up and go to him. “You know that whatever Andrews told you, it wasn’t true. What you and I have… it means something.”

I look up at him, my eyes filled with tears once more. “I don’t care whether he was lying. He was right.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t you see?” I laugh darkly. “David, I know you care for me. And I… I care about you too.”

He stiffens. “Then what are you trying to say?”

“You care for me… but you care for your reputation more.” The truth of my words makes even me flinch. “I already knew it, after all of that stuff with Amber. Maybe even before then.”

David drops my hands. There’s nothing in the world I want more than the warmth of his skin back, but I won’t let myself be weak. I can’t.

“David, I’m leaving.” I suck