The Weight Of Leaving by Riven Kade novel Chapter 7

Landon showing up shattered their fantasy in one blow. Carter had convinced himself I was just playing hard to get, that everything I did was meant to pull his attention back to me.

In his mind, I had no other options but him, and that was exactly why he’d always been so arrogantly sure of

himself.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Carter demanded. “How could she–some small–town woman- possibly be Mrs. Hale?”

Landon’s eyes went dark when he looked at Lexi. “If you don’t know how to talk, then shut up. Or did you forget you’re from a small town too? What gives you the right to look down on anyone?”

She’d been running with Carter’s crowd for so long she’d nearly forgotten where she came from. Everybody’s deference had fed her vanity until she started believing she was born above the rest.

“Landon, I didn’t-” Lexi’s face went pale.

“Didn’t what?” Landon cut in. “Tell me which word was wrong. If you don’t want me to throw you out, leave.

Now.”

Carter wasn’t deaf. He grabbed Landon as he walked past.

“What did you mean back there?” Carter asked, voice raw. “What do you mean she’s Mrs. Hale?”

Landon didn’t answer him. He came straight to me, eyes scanning me from head to toe like he was counting

bruises.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” he asked.

I shook my head, and he pulled me into his arms and kissed me like he couldn’t help himself. Lexi and Carter froze like someone had hit pause on the room.

Lexi looked wrecked, like she couldn’t believe this was the same icy, untouchable heir–apparent. Carter, on the other hand, was furious and swung a fist.

Landon reacted fast and pulled me away, tucking me into his arms.

“She’s mine,” Carter barked. “Let her go.”

“She’s my wife,” Landon said coldly.

That sent Carter completely over the edge, and I honestly didn’t know who he thought he was performing for.

“I treated you like a bro,” Carter yelled. “And you steal my woman? Landon, are you even human?”

Chapter 7

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Lexi rushed to call the others from their usual group upstairs to break it up.

“Carter, don’t do this,” someone said, stepping between them. “Calm down.”

“Landon, don’t get mad,” another person tried. “He’s just losing it.”

Carter couldn’t control himself, because he’d seen me in Landon’s arms, not resisting, and that meant I’d chosen it. The realization snapped whatever restraint he had left.

“How am I supposed to calm down?” he roared. “He’s my bro, and he stole my woman. How am I supposed

to calm down?”

Nobody answered him. They all hesitated, eyes darting away, and the truth hit Carter in the face.

“You all knew,” he said, voice turning sharp. “So I’m the only idiot who didn’t? You all played me like I was

stupid.”

Lexi finally understood why they’d suddenly started siding with me sometimes. She’d felt it was weird, and

now she realized the reason.

“Why are you blaming them?” I said. “Like you’re the only one who’s ever been right. Did you forget that a year ago you postponed our wedding for the ninth time?”

“That was because you-” he started.

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