Page 51 of The Deadbeat DILF
But he’d already left my bedroom. I chased him down the hallway, into the second bedroom, where he was throwing clothes into his suitcase, and shoving possessions into cardboard boxes.
I couldn’t believe it. “Robert,” I said, half convinced this was all a mistake. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s late and…and a minute ago, everything was fine.”
He didn’t answer, just kept packing his things.
My panic rose. “Don’t do this. We have to talk about this. You can’t just go.”
“I’ve overstayed my welcome,” he said, his shoulders rigid.
“You haven’t!” I insisted. “I want you here. I want us to talk and figure things out. Just last night, you said you wanted to be with me. What happened to that? You can’t—” my eyes started to prick with tears “—you can’t just leave me.”
He zipped up the suitcase and turned to me. “I know you’re hoping for some sort of explanation for why I did the things I did to my family, but there isn’t one. Deep down, I’m a bad person.” He looked at me with eyes full of sorrow. “I don’t want to hurt you like I’ve hurt everyone else. I’ve been deluding myself, thinking I could be better, but the truth was going to come out eventually. I’m sorry for deceiving you.”
“You can’t just leave!” I exclaimed. I wasn’t just shocked — I was angry. Minutes ago, we’d been preparing to go to bed together. Now, he’d completely changed his mind? How could he do that? “Don’t go, Robert. We can figure things out.” I sounded pathetic, but I didn’t care. “It’s late. Just stay until the morning at least.”
He stood up, the handle of his suitcase in hand, and that’s when my mind went blank. I started to beg, like I’d lost my mind. “Don’t go. Please. Please don’t leave me.” Hot tears spilled down my cheeks. I hadn’t even realised I’d started crying.
He cupped my jaw, his fingertips wiping away some of my tears. “You’re so bright and beautiful, Brooke,” he murmured. “I care for you so much. But if I stick around, I’ll destroy you, just like I destroyed my family. I can’t do that to you. I’m sorry.”
With that, he walked past me, his suitcase rolling behind him, a box in his arm. I wanted to stop him. I wanted to scream that if he really did care about me, he wouldn’t treat me like this. If he really cared, he wouldn’t reduce me to tears. But I couldn’t find my voice.
Distantly, I heard the front door of the apartment close. My home was silent except for my sobs. And just like that, I crumbled into pieces.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The next few days were hell. I was in a constant state of shock, frustration, and sadness, cycling between the three so rapidly that it gave me whiplash at times.
Sometimes I was angry at myself. The night Robert left, I’d broken into tears so quickly. I should’ve been smarter. Maybe I could’ve persuaded him to stay if I’d been more eloquent.
Other times, I was angry at him. Why was it my fault? How could I have kept calm when he was the one who’d walked out so easily? One second, he’d been in my bed, and the next, he was packing his things.
I thought we had something. Something deep. Something real. He was a coward, giving up just like that.
If he really cared for me, he wouldn’t have walked away.
Most of the time though, I missed him so much, my entire body ached. My appetite disappeared, and I found it difficult to sleep. When I did wake up, I’d feel a moment of peace, before all the memories rushed back.
I thought about skipping work, claiming I was sick, but I knew that if I stayed home, I’d just wallow. I forced myself to attend pilates classes, because I knew working out would help relieve the sadness and stress building up in my body.
When Alison and Cameron invited me a party they were hosting, I was tempted to say no, but then I would spend the entire night eating ice-cream out of the tub. So, I said I’d be there.
Now, I tried to muster up some enthusiasm as I zipped up my black cocktail dress. Although part of me was too exhausted to socialize, I knew the party would be a good distraction from my sadness and anger.
I hadn’t told my friends about Robert. I was about to tell them once we were officially together, but our relationship had only lasted twenty-four hours before he walked out.
What an asshole. I wanted to kill him.
I also wanted to beg him to come back.
Now, I put on a pair of dangly gold earrings and a matching necklace. As I headed to the foyer the sound of my heels clicking against the floor echoed throughout my apartment. I hated how quiet my home was now. I hated that I had to go to this party alone. I could’ve invited Robert as my plus one if things hadn’t fallen apart.
My eyes threatened to sting at the thought, but I blinked them hard. I’d just applied mascara and eyeliner, and there was no way I was showing up at the party looking like a panda.
Half an hour later, I arrived at Alison and Cameron’s luxurious apartment. The walls were decorated with photos — some from business awards nights, others with family, and many of them together.
Alison appeared in front of me, her long brown hair curled, wearing a red dress and matching ruby earrings. “You’re here!” she exclaimed, sweeping me into a hug. I inhaled the familiar scent of her Dior perfume. “We’ve been waiting for you. Emilia was about to call.”
“Sorry I’m late. I was a little slow getting ready,” I said as I hugged her back. “Is everyone else here?”
