Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
This was my new reality. Gone were the days of walking around nonchalantly.
We headed into the restaurant and I saw Bethany was already seated. She looked even more slender than usual. Leo let me go toward my sister, who stood when I got close, and air-kissed each of my cheeks.
“You look stunning, sweetheart,” Bethany said.
“You do as well.” She looked … ill, but I wasn’t going to tell her that. I could also tell with the way her lips were pursed, she’d gotten more work done.
There were times I felt like it was a competition between Bethany and our mother, about who could get the most work done. I hated hospitals, needles, anything like that, and so I was happy to keep my face and my body as it came to me.
“I’m so pleased you decided to see me. I was worried you wouldn’t.”
I frowned but didn’t get a chance to question her as the waiter came with a bottle of wine, pouring us both large glasses. He promised to return with the menus.
“Why wouldn’t I want to see you?” I asked.
“There’s a lot of history with us.” Bethany glanced down at the ring. “I guess Andrei decided that I could grace his bed, but I wasn’t the woman he wanted to mother his children.”
I froze. “You’ve not seen Andrei yet?”
Bethany pouted. “Do you still believe in monogamous relationships?” She tutted. “Honey, you of all people should know by now, that men don’t want that.” She held her hand out and pointed at her. “I’ve had to tell you this again and again. They want people like me, and I’m sure you can tell Andrei is getting his needs met. He leaves me very satisfied.”
These had to be lies. Andrei was moody. He wasn’t a happy man. Was that because he had to come home to her? Did he want to be with Bethany?
“Man, his tongue, it can do wonders on your pussy, can’t it?”
I hated this and felt sick to my stomach.
“This is why you wanted to meet with me?” I asked. “To tell me you’re having an affair with my husband?”
“Yeah, and I felt so bad about it. I was thinking we could come to some arrangement with him.”
The waiter returned to offer us the menus, but Bethany smiled. “I don’t think we’ll be needing these.” She handed over her card. “I’m sorry to have wasted your time.”
I shouldn’t have come here. I was an idiot to have thought for even a moment that Bethany wanted to have any kind of relationship. Staring at her now, I never thought I could hate a human being as much as I hated this woman. My sister—the woman I should be more than happy to die for, but I couldn’t stand. She had a cruel edge about her that knew no bounds. This woman was vile.
My marriage … there was no marriage, and knowing Andrei was having an affair, well, there was no way it was going to work. Not now. Not ever.
“Are you going to cry?” Bethany asked.
“I have no reason to cry.”
Bethany chuckled. “You don’t have to be big and brave for me.”
I shook my head and smiled. “You see, Bethany, you think this matters to me. Do you think I care what you and Andrei are up to? You’re a perfect match for each other, but me, I was the one good enough to be married to.”
The waiter came back. “I’m sorry, Miss, but your card has been declined.”
I snorted. “That’s okay, Leo will pay the bill. After all, you may have Andrei’s dick, but at least I’ve got his money.”
I didn’t care about his money or his position, but I knew it would piss Bethany off, and I had to get out of there with my head held high. Even though all I wanted to do was collapse into a ball and sob.
****
Andrei
Leo had given me the update. He’d told me about the meeting with Nathan, and then the lunch Adelaide had with her sister. I should have known Bethany would be on some kind of warpath and Adelaide would be her target.
Standing in the penthouse suite, I waited for her to return. Rubbing my thumb and fingers together, I didn’t know what I expected, but as Leo and Adelaide entered, she looked calm and collected. Her eyes gave her away, though. They were full of so much emotion. The moment she caught sight of me, I knew she felt pain. Bethany had hurt her.
“Leave us,” I said.
Leo didn’t say a word, just opened the door and left.
Adelaide looked at the closed door before turning her gaze back on me.
“I should have known you’d be here. Was this to get a kick out of seeing what she’s done?” she asked.
“I have no idea what Bethany has done, but I can guarantee I don’t find any of this amusing.”