The Moment I Realized I Can't Lose You novel Chapter 6

"You're right. I am out of my mind." Audrey stared at Rainey's hand wrapped tightly around Joaquin's arm, a bitter smile touching her lips. "If I were a normal, sane wife, the second I saw my husband parading around with another woman clinging to him, I would have caused an absolute scene."

Her words made Joaquin go unnaturally still.

"Please cut the tags off." Audrey turned to the stunned sales associate. "I'm wearing it out!"

"Hell yes!" Thrilled by Audrey's newfound spine, Bianca laughed loudly. "If some basic hater tells you it doesn't suit you, you buy it immediately and wear it right in their face! Audrey... I am so sorry."

Seeing Audrey and Bianca heading for the register, Rainey hesitated, then let go of Joaquin's arm and rushed forward to grab Audrey's wrist. "I spoke out of turn. I didn't mean to make you mad. Please forgive me! I promise I'll never comment on your clothes ever again. It's all my fault..."

As she spewed her desperate apologies, Rainey's grip tightened viciously. Her manicured, acrylic nails dug violently into Audrey's bare skin.

A sharp, stinging pain flared up her arm like five needles piercing her flesh. Wincing, Audrey instinctively yanked her arm free.

"Ahhh!" Rainey shrieked, her body flailing dramatically backward toward the marble floor.

"Rainey!" Joaquin lunged forward, catching Rainey just before she hit the ground.

But in his desperate rush to save her, his shoulder slammed hard into Audrey, sending her stumbling backward.

As she tipped over, Audrey's immediate instinct was to wrap her arms securely around her stomach.

Right before her eyes, Joaquin was holding Rainey, his face twisted in absolute panic. "Audrey! Are you okay?!"

Bianca was livid. "Why the hell should we apologize? She was the one who—"

Ignoring her entirely, Joaquin snapped at his security detail. "Watch my wife and her friend. Escort them to the hospital."

"Yes, sir!" the massive bodyguards barked in unison.

Joaquin didn't look back again as he carried another woman out of the mall.

Audrey stood rooted to the spot, staring at her husband's retreating back, an overwhelming tide of sorrow drowning her heart.