27 Calls 2 Wristbands 1 Empty Anniversary Chapter 04
A flicker of triumph lit Maddie’s eyes. She glided toward me, cocktail in hand, all smiles.
“Sophie, Julian told me the Coachella wristbands were meant for you. I’m so sorry.”
“I only mentioned I couldn’t get tickets, and next thing I knew, he gave me yours. I apologize.”
She said the words. Every syllable dripped with satisfaction.
I wasn’t in the mood for her games. I just wanted Julian to sign.
“Sorry, I’m not interested in talking to a woman who’s trying to wreck someone’s marriage.”
Maddie’s eyes went glassy.
“Sophie, how could you say that?”
Julian, who’d been stone-faced since I walked in, shot to his feet. He planted himself in front of Maddie.
“Sophie, don’t be ungrateful! Maddie came to you with an apology. What more do you want?”
Maddie stood behind him, fingers gripping his sleeve. The picture of wounded innocence.
“Julian, do you think Sophie misunderstood? Is that why she’s saying these things?”
Julian looked at me with that expression. The “I knew it” look.
“Still jealous. Are you always this sensitive?”
“Enough. Drink Maddie’s cocktail, and I’ll forget about last night. And today.”
The two of them. Playing off each other. I wanted to laugh.
One sentence from me, and they’d spun a whole drama out of it.
They really missed their calling as screenwriters.
I looked at Julian. Cold. “I’m not drinking.”
His face darkened. He grabbed the glass and walked toward me.
“Sophie, you don’t know when to quit.”
He was about to force it to my mouth.
I jerked my head aside, snatched the glass from his hand, and hurled it to the floor.
“Don’t touch me!”
The glass shattered. A shard cut Julian’s hand.
The room went silent.
Julian looked down at the cut on his knuckle. A dry, humorless laugh escaped him.
“Sophie, have I been too nice to you lately?”
“I’m telling you right now—if you don’t apologize to me and Maddie, we’re done. Divorce.”
I pulled the manila envelope from my bag. Slapped the divorce papers onto the table.
“Nothing would make me happier.”