Love, Honor, and Betray by Roby, Lawson (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

singlething for Curtina. So what he would do now was sit back for a few more days or weeks, waiting to see how things panned outbetween him and Charlotte. Then, he would determine how to proceed.

“Pastor?” Raven said. “Hellllooo?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess I just have a lot on my mind. Please accept my apologies.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Nothing for you to worry about.”

“Still, even though I’ve only been working here for just under a year, I can still tell when something isn’t quite right withyou. I can tell when you’re not happy.”

Curtis wondered why everyone seemed so able to read him, but he was sure both worry and concern were written all over hisface. He was trying to act normal, but now he knew it wasn’t working.

“It’s nothing that can’t be worked out,” he said.

“I really hope so, but either way, I’m always available if you ever need someone to talk to.”

“Thank you for that, Raven. It really means a lot.”

“Anytime,” she said, smiling, and then stood up. “See you tonight.”

She turned and looked at Curtis one last time before exiting his office. Interestingly enough, this was the first time Curtisrealized how attractive Raven was. It was true that she always seemed to be about business, always dressed in professionalattire, and was extremely talented and knowledgeable when it came to handling the church’s finances. But until now, he guessedhe’d never bothered paying much attention to just how good-looking she was—he hadn’t bothered focusing on the fact that shewas the kind of woman any man in his right mind would have taken a second look at.

Curtis knew, though, why he hadn’t noticed her flowing hair, flawless cocoa skin, or well-formed silhouette in the past. Itwas because he’d been completely happy with Charlotte. He loved her more than ever, and he had decided point-blank that otherwomen no longer mattered to him. Of course, Charlotte hadn’t been as happy as he’d been with their marriage, not since Curtina had been born, but he’d still been totally committed to her and their vows. It was the reason he was working doubly hard,trying to tolerate the very selfish and blatantly cruel way she was treating Curtina, not to mention how callously she wastreating him.

What worried him now, however, was a popular saying he’d heard so many older people say throughout the years: even iron eventuallywears thin. Meaning even the strongest and most dedicated person could take only so much and ultimately had their breakingpoint.

He hoped he wasn’t slipping into that particular category.

He prayed his sinful ways and struggle with temptation were a thing of the past.

For his sake as well as for Charlotte’s.

Chapter 9

Charlotte drove into the far right lane on I-90 West as she prepared to take the Genoa exit. She was only fifteen minutes fromtheir house, and she couldn’t wait to crawl into bed. Her head still pounded from her hangover, her stomach still didn’t feel the greatest, and she was utterly wiped out. Thankfully, however, her parentshadn’t pressured her about where she’d been until well after two in the morning or about the way she’d thrown up all overone of their bathrooms. They hadn’t even questioned her about why she’d needed to spend the night with them. She could tellher father hadn’t been too happy about her condition, though, so she was glad he’d gone on about his day and hadn’t said anything.

Then, this morning, she’d called Matthew, letting him know she’d been visiting a few friends in Chicago and when it had gottentoo late, she’d realized she was too tired to drive back. She hated lying to her son, but it wasn’t like she could tell himthe truth either. From the sound of his voice, though, he hadn’t seemed bothered or worried, so she was very happy about that.

But the worst part of her morning thus far had been that annoying call from Curtis. He’d kept pushing and interrogating herlike he had a right, and it was the reason she’d hung up on him. It was the reason she didn’t care what he thought or whathe had to say—the reason she was going to be her own woman, making her own decisions from now on. She would do whatever ittook to keep her mind totally occupied and completely off Curtina, and there wasn’t a thing Curtis could do about it.

It was the reason she didn’t feel the slightest bit of guilt about last night, her sleeping with another man behind Curtis’sback—the man she’d danced with at the club, the man who’d finally told her his name was Tom, the man who had followed herout to her car and convinced her to go to a motel with him. In fact, when she thought about how special and awesome he’d madeher feel, she felt liberated. Felt like she was getting some much-needed payback for all the pain Curtis was causing her.Plus, it wasn’t like she’d ever have to see or hear from Tom again, so as far as she was concerned, her one-night fling hadbeen fun and well worth her time but was now simply a thing of the past.

When Charlotte arrived home, Agnes greeted her but didn’t say much else. She seemed almost embarrassed and like she was afraidto look at her. But Charlotte knew it was because Agnes wasn’t used to her staying out all night without telling her. Shealso wasn’t used to seeing Charlotte wearing the same clothes from the day before or walking around with her hair lookinga mess. Plus, she had to know things were bad between her and Curtis, because they now argued like animals.

“Can I fix you something to eat, Miss Charlotte?” she finally asked.

“No. But thanks for asking, Agnes.”

“You’re welcome, and just let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”

“I will. But right now, all I want to do is head upstairs to lie down.”

After closing the bedroom door, shedding her clothing, slipping on a pair of flannel pajamas, and turning on the fireplace,Charlotte climbed into bed.

“Finally,” she said, pulling