CHAPTER 071: The Grandfather Clock

Desiree's POV

All the color drains from Paul's face. His easygoing grin vanishes. Even my sister, Fiona, looks uncomfortable, her eyes wide as if she’s just witnessed a car crash.

And honestly, that’s exactly what Caspian’s words feel like: a car crash.

I blink, trying to wrap my head around what just happened. He couldn’t possibly mean what he said, right? Did Paul really do that?

I can’t help it—I have to break the silence. “Paul,” I say, my voice shaking a little. “You didn’t actually sleep with Caspian’s girlfriend, did you?”

Paul doesn’t answer. He doesn’t even look at me, which only makes my stomach sink further. His silence says more than words ever could, but I still need to hear him say it. I need to be sure.

“Is that a yes or no?” I press, my heart pounding in my chest.

Paul sighs and throws his hands up, like he’s tired of hiding. “Fine. We were young, okay? I was wild, Gladys was wild, and Caspian was… tame. It’s not my fault she found something in me and hooked up with m