A Tangled Web (Dangerous Secrets) by Rose Francis Read Free Book Online Page A

looked like he was lying.
    “About what Kent?”
    “Oh I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about. Damn it Kimberly! Oh god I’m sorry.” He let out a frustrated grunt. “Frankly, I don’t know what to say or do right now—I don’t want to be the one to make you almost lose the baby again—I don’t want to cause you any stress!”
    It was then that Kimberly realized that she had still managed to pull off what she was trying to avoid—guilting him into treating her precariously and unnaturally.
    “Kent hey—don’t worry about it okay? I mean, it’s not like we’re living together or anything anymore. We’re taking a break from each other right now, right?”
    “But how’s that gonna affect you?”
    “You know what? I’m fine, don’t worry! I think it would cause me more stress being with you right now than not.”
    Kent looked a bit confused.
    “Okay Kimberly, whatever you want. But if you need me—for anything—please don’t hesitate to call.”
    Kimberly smiled.
    “Thank you Kent. You know, you were always such a good friend to me. I mean, besides Monique, you’re…you’re my best friend. I hope we can find a way to remain at least friends.”
    She smiled up at him.
    He looked suspicious of it, and didn’t return it.
    Then a bitter type of chuckle left him.
    “Friends huh? Well okay. Let me take you home.”
    ***
    As they pulled up to the Jordan home, Kent decided to speak, breaking the silence of their drive.
    “Kimberly I…” He paused, wanting to say the words, but finding them ill-timed, decided against it. “I’ll see you around,” he said instead of reminding her of his love.
    Then she started doing one of the worst things he could imagine.
    “I guess I should give you this back,” she said, rubbing then tugging at the engagement ring he’d given her a month ago, sliding it off and handing it to him.
    Kent numbly took it and held it in his palm, staring at it for a few moments, tears stinging his eyes.
    Then he turned away from her, not wanting her to see him break again.
    He could hardly speak past the cry-ball in his throat but he managed to whisper:
    “Bye Kimberly.”
    He heard her exit the car, and when the door slammed, he drove off quickly.
    ***
    Why was she staying away from him?
    Over the next couple of days, Kent found himself growing angrier and angrier at Kimberly. Who was she anyway? Who was this woman pretending to be the sweet, perfect Kimberly Jordan he had fallen in love with? How dare she take advantage of his love like that? Could he trust her tears? Her declarations of love? Those looks of regret?
    But Kent was also angry at himself—how could he have let himself get so blinded? How could he have let himself get outfoxed?
    Kent was especially angered by her stubbornness. Why didn’t she call him or make a move toward reconciliation? Why did she always think she knew what was best? Why not demand he listen to her every word and tell him he had no choice but stick by her? Why not go ahead and tell him what to do, but this time, in favor of the two of them instead of against them? Didn’t she know there was nothing more he would have liked than be by her side? Even now, he couldn’t shake it. Maybe it was that baby in her belly making him feel like he couldn’t abandon her.
    Kent sighed and decided to forget it.
    She wanted to walk away, let her. He was tired of running after her.
    He decided to drown himself in his work.
    ***
    Kimberly sat on her old bed, enjoying the familiar feel of everything around her. She was sort of glad to be back at home fully again—the house and her room still held some comfort despite her mom being gone, the family unit now broken ever since her mom decided finally being with the long-lost love of her life was more important than anything.
    Kimberly knew she was doing the right thing. She had caused so much pain and it tore her apart to have hurt Kent so, and more than that—hurt his faith in people. She was the only