Page 88 of An Eye For Illusion

Without having to think twice, I rush to the door, unlock it, and swing it open. “NO!” I roar, prepared to fight. His body stops me before I’m able to get one foot out the front door.

“What a good little bitch. Protect Daddy,” he says as he pushes by me and into my home.

I turn to face him, hooking my foot at the base of the door to slam it shut. My heart is pounding in my ears as anger pulses in my veins. The mere thought of him hurting my father sends flight mode packing and me full steam into fight mode.

“Don’t you ever fucking threaten my father again!” I scream as I advance on him.

Pure rage spurs me on. He’s made veiled threats before, but that was blatant. Who the hell does he think he is threatening the most important person in my life? Someone who has been nothing but good and kind to him despite him not deserving an ounce of it.

Before my brain can register what happens, a white-hot sting sears my cheekbone, and I stagger back against the door he barged through just moments ago. Instinctively, my hand goes to the pain on my face. My brain fires to process what just happened. Elliott backhanded me. I’ve never been hit before, especially not by a man.

“That was all your fault, Jade. You shouldn’t push me.” His voice is low and gravely.

I straighten, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “Get. Out.” I enunciate each word.

“No, you and I have things to discuss.” He doesn’t move toward me, but his stance is firm. He won’t budge.

I don’t speak immediately. I need to formulate a plan to get out of this situation. Even with all the rage I feel, I can’t overpower him to shove him out the door. He’s still much bigger and stronger. On the other hand, I can’t leave him alone in my home. Think, Jade, think.

“The wedding has to be moved up. We need to get this behind us.” His eyes bore into me, he’s doing his damnedest to intimidate me.

There’s no more love or admiration for me in his tone than there is for him in mine. I don’t love him, and he doesn’t love me, but he’s never spoken of us getting married in that way. He’s always at least faked excitement about marrying me. Something is off. He needs this to happen.

“Why?” I spit out, my tone as cold and disconnected as his is. Maybe I can get him to admit something, something that can get me out of this mess.

“Why not?” He raises his voice and takes several steps toward me. “Why are you stalling?”

I guess I haven’t been quite the actress I thought I’d been. “I’m not stalling, Elliott. I want our wedding to be beautiful.” The disdain in my voice doesn’t match my words.

“You expect me to believe that bullshit?” He takes another step closer. “Do you think I don’t know how you really feel about me? You don’t have to pretend anymore, Jade. This is just as much of a business arrangement for me as it is for you.”

I’ve known all along, but something about him saying it out loud makes my stomach churn. I square my shoulders and tilt my chin up in defiance. “Maybe I changed my mind. Maybe I want to marry someone I love and who will love me instead.”

He laughs loudly. “Who would love you?” His laughter continues. “Have you met you?”

I can’t hide my shock. My eyes widen, and my mouth drops slightly at what he just said. He’s never been overly sweet or affectionate to me, but he’s never been downright cruel either. I’ve seen a glimpse of this side of him before, but it’s never been this bad. My cheekbone still aches where the back of his hand made contact. I feel the heat in the swelling tissue without touching it with my hand.

Because of my pause, he continues instead of waiting longer for a response. “You’re cold, callous, and impossible to please. What man would want that in a wife? A nice rack and Daddy’s money is all you have to offer. Marrying me is the best you can hope for.” He really believes his BS.

His phone rings, and he barely glances at the ID before he swipes to answer.

I open the front door wide so he can fucking leave. “Get out,” I order so only he can hear me.

His side of the call is nothing more than a few “Mmhmms” and “I’m on the way” before he walks toward the now open door.

He stops short of the threshold, ending the call and slipping the phone into his back pocket. His face is just inches from mine, his hot breath landing on my burning cheek as he speaks. “You have one week, and we will be married. Figure it the fuck out, or I will pay Daddy a visit.”

He doesn’t wait for me to respond before walking out the door. My body floods with relief as I slam the door closed and lock both locks. I rest my forehead against the door, panting as I try to slow my racing heart. I need to call Colin; he has to help me end this.

I turn to rest my back against the door and slide down until my ass lands on the cold tile floor. My night went from watching true crime to being part of one. I gently place my fingers on my cheekbone; it’s slightly swollen.

I sit here in an upright fetal position. My knees up with my arms wrapped around them, eyes closed, and my forehead on my knees as I question every decision I made that led me to this very spot in my own foyer.

How could I have been this stupid? Why did I think any of this would work? How can I protect my father when I can’t even protect myself? Will this be the life I’ll lead going forward? An abused woman sitting on her foyer floor, trying to decide how I’ll cover the newest bruise before work on Monday morning?

The sound of footsteps quickly approaching the door startles me. I leap to my feet and spin to face the door. “Elliott, I told you to get out, and I fucking meant it!” I scream through the door.

There’s a brief pause. “Jade, it’s me, Colin. What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

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