Page 24 of This Life of Mine

“You deserve each other.”

Her eyes narrow. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means the two people who lied, cheated, and betrayed someone found each other.”

I shrug. “It means two snakes found the perfect mate.”

The muscles in her jaw jumps.

“I don’t want him.” I let my gaze drift downward.

To the ring on her finger. To the hand resting over her stomach. Then back to her eyes.

“And I definitely don’t want your life.”

The words hit their target. Color floods her cheeks. Her smug expression fractures, revealing the anger beneath.

Before she can respond, another voice cuts through the tension.

“There you are.”

I glance over. Val appears carrying enough sushi containers to feed a small army. She slows as she approaches. Looks at me, Cassie, then to me again.

“Oh.”

That single syllable somehow contains an astonishing amount of judgment.

“Hello, Val,” Cassie says sweetly. Though the sweetness is forced. Tight.

Val smiles. The kind of smile a shark might wear. “Cassie.”

A beat passes. “The mistress.”

I shut my eyes. Jesus Christ. Here we go.

Cassie’s smile freezes.

Meanwhile Val brightens like Christmas morning. “Oh, sorry.”

She taps her chin dramatically. “Former mistress.”

“Excuse me?” Cassie says. Her voice rises an entire octave.

Val pretends to think. “Did I get the title wrong?”

“Val.”

“What?” she asks innocently. “I’m just trying to be accurate.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. This is about to get ugly.

“Oh wait.” Val snaps her fingers.

“I remember now.” Val’s grin widens.

“It’s skank-ass hoe Cassie.”

Before she can launch into whatever comes next, she starts moving to the front of me. Like she’s preparing for battle.