When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 64

Latham had a point. She’d always been too gentle. Her grandparents taught her to put up with things, to wait for things to get better.

“Just be patient. It’ll pass.”

“Wait a little, your mom will come for you.”

Dorothea had spent her whole life waiting, tolerating, swallowing it all down. Now, she’d had enough.

Carmen had no idea what was going on with Dorothea, but she hurried after her, not wanting to let her go alone.

Behind them, Carola was fuming, though she kept her sweet, innocent act. “Albert, I don’t know what’s gotten into Dorothea lately. She’s so moody...”

Albert cut her off, sounding annoyed. “Carola, you shouldn’t have talked to her like that.”

“If she's upset with her family, she’s feeling way worse than you are. And there’s nothing between us. You’re overthinking it.”

Carola froze, caught off guard by Albert taking Dorothea’s side. She hadn’t expected him to call her out.

“Albert, I’m sorry…”

“You don't owe me an apology,” Albert said. “You owe her one.”

***

Dorothea had no idea Albert was finally standing up for her, for once. All she felt was this tight, suffocating ache in her chest. She couldn’t stand the sight of them, didn’t want to pretend everything was fine anymore.

Carmen kept close, careful not to crowd Dorothea, following her until she finally stopped. “Dorothea, are you okay?”

Dorothea took a long breath, then turned to face her. “Carmen, there’s something I never told you.”

“I dated Albert for three years.”

Carmen’s stomach dropped. She stared at Dorothea, completely stunned. She’d never even considered it.

“Remember last month, when you called to tell me he had a new girlfriend?” Dorothea gave a sad, crooked smile. “That’s when I found out he was cheating on me.”

“And if you’re wondering about Carola… Carola is my mom’s stepdaughter. My mom actually likes her more than me, her own kid.”

“But it’s fine. I’m done caring about that.”

“Dorothea…” Carmen’s eyes stung with tears. Even just hearing a bit of this, she could tell how long Dorothea had been holding it all in. “I’m so sorry. I’m an idiot. I didn’t know about you and Albert. If I’d known, I never would’ve done all those stupid things.”

Carmen thought back to all those times she invited Dorothea to hang out—Albert and Carola were always there. Dorothea had to watch them act lovey-dovey right in front of her. It must’ve hurt so much. The worst was that camping trip, when Carola and Albert teamed up to pick on Dorothea. She’d been so clueless. If Dorothea hadn’t said anything today, she’d still be in the dark.

“Dorothea, yell at me, hit me, do something. I totally messed up,” Carmen begged.

Dorothea gave a small laugh. “You’re being silly. Why would I hit you? You didn’t know. It’s my fault for not telling you sooner.”

Carmen hugged her tight. “Dorothea, if you want to cry, I’ve got you. My shoulder is all yours.”

If it had been Carmen, she would’ve cried herself to death. But Dorothea just smiled, calm and steady. “I’m fine. I stopped being sad a while ago.”

“Oh, and I forgot to mention something else. Carmen, I got married.”

“I married Latham.”

Carmen’s jaw dropped. “Wait... Mr. Stephens?”

She remembered how Latham had suddenly shown up at the campsite, helping Dorothea out. Now it all made sense.

“No wonder Mr. Stephens helped you. But... Dorothea…” Carmen bit her lip, “He likes guys!”

Carmen felt so bad for her. Dorothea was amazing. Even if she couldn’t be with Albert, she deserved someone a million times better.

***

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