Better Than My Ex novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: In the Hallway

I could have hidden in the closet.

I thought about it for one second and decided I was done hiding in other people's rooms.

I walked out of the bedroom with the folder in my hand and stopped in the hallway.

Bryson was at the end of it, holding his flight bag.

Lydia stood a step behind him in a cream coat. Her hand was on his sleeve, and she took it away fast.

"Mara?"

His face went pale.

"What are you doing in my home?"

"Collecting my passport. You gave me the code."

"I gave you the code to get your documents. Not to go through my things."

"Thirty-eight thousand dollars," I said.

He looked at the folder.

"That's a loan, Mara. I'm going to pay you back."

"Your mother never had surgery."

For the first time in four years, Bryson had no answer ready.

His mouth opened and nothing came out.

"What's she talking about?" Lydia said lightly.

She stepped around him and looked at me, then at the folder.

The curiosity on her face turned into something calmer.

"Oh, Bryson," she said. "You kept the closing papers."

"Lydia."

"I told you to burn them."

"Lydia, be quiet."

"No, honestly."

She smiled at me, and it was the smile from the beach.

"It's a beautiful house, Mara. You'd love the deck."

I had stood in front of her at the funeral and hugged her, while this house sat in her name.

Keep reading free with an account. Start Better Than My Ex from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.