Secret Obsession by Kimberla Lawson Roby Page A

so quiet?”
    “I guess I’m just a little surprised to hear you speaking so harshly against your own sister.”
    “I don’t want to. But I’m also not going to stand up for anyone who’s done something this awful.”
    “Well, you know what they say. It is what it is.”
    “So, what are you going to do?”
    “I don’t know yet. Right now, I’m too hurt and too numb to do anything.”
    “I can only imagine.”
    “Well, hey,” he said. “I appreciate your calling me back and for understanding, but I need to get going, okay?”
    “No problem. Also, there is one other thing I wanted to tell you.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I’ve decided to move back to my condo.”
    “Why? Did they find the guy who broke in on you?”
    “No, but I really feel like you and Camille need your privacy.”
    “Regardless, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to leave until they’ve arrested someone. It’s just not safe.”
    “I’ve burdened you and Camille long enough, and my mind is made up.”
    “I really wish you’d reconsider.”
    “I appreciate everything you and Camille have done for me, but it really is time I get back to my own place and try to find some sense of normalcy again.”
    “Well, you know I’m only a phone call or a car ride away.”
    “I do.”
    “You take care of yourself, Paige.”
    “You, too, Pierce. And thanks again.”
    Paige pressed the end button and started gathering her things together. If she was going to lure Pierce from her sister the rest of the way, she needed to act quickly. She needed to do it from the comfort of her own home and be out of the Montgomery household by sundown.

Chapter 15
    P aige opened her trunk and placed two of her overnight bags inside of it but turned around when she saw Camille pulling into the driveway. She’d called Camille about two hours ago, letting her know she would be gone by noon, and Paige had sort of been hoping they wouldn’t run into each other. Not because she felt bad about leaving, but because she didn’t want to take a chance on Camille asking her to call Pierce again on her behalf. What she wanted was for Camille to accept that her marriage was over and simply get used to it.
    Camille stepped out of her vehicle and closed the door. “I really wish you’d stay.”
    “You’ve been very nice, and two and a half weeks is more than enough. Plus, it’s like I told you on the phone, you and Pierce need your privacy. Especially now.”
    “But they still haven’t arrested anyone, and who’s to say this guy won’t come back?”
    “I doubt he would do that, and to be honest, I’m just not afraid anymore. I’m ready to get back to my life and move on.”
    “Nonetheless, I still wish you’d change your mind. And I’ll admit that part of me also wants you to stay for selfish reasons. I really need you to be my support system. Now more than I ever have.”
    “I’ll only be a few miles away, and if you need me, I’ll be here in minutes.”
    “It won’t be the same. I have girlfriends and women who I’m pretty close with at church, but there’s no one I trust more than you. There’s no one I can confide in the way I can with my sister.”
    Paige slid her arm inside of Camille’s, and they slowly walked up the custom brick sidewalk. “Look, you know I have your back, but this is a time when you and Pierce need to be alone so you can work through your issues. This has to be about you and him and no one else.”
    “Maybe.”
    “Has he called?”
    “No, but when I stopped by the bank this morning, he did come out to the lobby to say he would see me at home.”
    Paige hoped this wasn’t true, but said, “Well, at least it sounds like he’s now ready to talk.”
    “I think he is, and as a matter of fact, he’s going to leave work right before three o’clock so we can sit down and discuss things before the children get home. They won’t be here until later because of PJ’s game, and I’ve already asked Mom and Dad to bring