Page 44 of Bittersweet Revenge

When evening came, I almost gave myself a brain aneurysm trying to figure out what to wear for dinner.After what had happened this morning, I didn't want to show any skin. I would even wear a ski suit if I could.

I settled for a knee-length black dress with a neck-high collar and flats. I tightened my hair into a straight bun and kept my face devoid of make-up. I looked so small, young, and austere all at the same time. The dress was also on the larger side, hiding all my curves. How sad was it that I had to do that?

That’s what happens when you live with a sexual predator, I reminded myself, smoothing my dress with my hands.

It was strange to trust Caleb to keep me safe, to shield me from both the verbal bullets coming from his mother and the barely veiled sexual attention coming from his father.

Caleb was the most conflicted person I’d ever met. He was also the person causing me the most conflicting feelings. I’d never been indecisive, but with him I never knew what to expect. Part of me would even prefer him to be hateful all the time. At least I would know where to stand. But no, despite all of his darkness, there was some light shining through the cracks every so often, a light so bright that I couldn’t stop the restoration of hope or the acceleration of my heart whenever he touched me, whenever he looked at me.

I hadn’t recalled much about the swimming pool incident, but I remembered him begging me to stay. I had heard his voice in the void swallowing me and somehow I had fought to come back for him. This realization had shaken me, making me unsure if I could ever completely move on from him.

Don’t lie to yourself. You know you won’t.

The light knock on the door brought me back to reality. I looked at it, unsure of what to say or do. Was it really Caleb? If it wasn’t and I answered, it wouldn’t be possible for me to close the door again.

“Esmeralda, it’s me.” His deep voice made me sigh with relief.

I opened the door and he detailed me from head to toe before nodding his approval. “Wise choice,” he said as he extended his hand to me.

I took a second to do the same. He was dressed casually - well casually for Caleb which meant black dress pants and a pale blue shirt that matched his eyes. He’d rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, showing his powerful forearms. His strong pale smooth hand extended toward me.

“We have to be the image of the happy couple, Esmeralda. Hopefully it will help with both of my parents. I know you don't want to touch me, but I think now is the time to use your acting skills again.”

I looked at him. Despite the perpetual scowl on his face, I saw genuine dismay. I understood that he took my delay in taking his hand as rejection.

I shook my head. “Caleb, it’s not that I–”

He nudgedhis hand toward me. “It doesn't matter.” That was a lie and we both knew it. “Just take my hand and let’s go. My father doesn’t forgo tardiness.”

We found his parents already waiting in the dining room. His father was standing by the fireplace in a position eerily similar to the one Caleb had adopted the night he had given me the car.

Like father, like son.I hoped as hell that saying was wrong.

James turned toward us, the light in his eyes turning lustful. Caleb squeezed my hand almost to the point of pain. I didn't think he’d realized it, and somehow that made me feel better. He was protective of me even if he didn't want to be.

“Ah, the lovebirds!” James beamed. He came over to us and kissed my cheeks, trailing his lips on my cheekbones and making me want to gag.

I forced a smile as Caleb squeezed my hand, though in warning or comfort I wasn’t sure.

“Don’t hold her hand so tight, dear. She is not going to run away, is she? Oh wait…” Jacklyn cackled, her voice taunting and dripping with venom.

I turned toward the seating area where she was sitting in an armchair. She wore a stunning purple dress and was holding a glass of white wine. She met my eyes, raising her glass toward me in a greeting gesture.

“Jacklyn,” James sighed. “Just drink your wine.”

Oh yeah, because getting her drunk was definitely the solution.I thought.

“Mrs. Astor,” I bowed my head at her. I was not going to take the bait. “You look stunning,” I added, and it was not a lie. She was a beautiful woman despite the alcohol, pill cocktails, and God knows what else.An amazing surgeon,Taylor would have added. I chuckled under my breath at that, getting a questioning glance from Caleb.

“I really wish I could say the same, dear. Did you misunderstand dinner for a funeral?”

The funeral of my peace of mind, certainly. I smiled wider. “I’m truly sorry my choice of garment doesn’t meet your approval.”

She stood up, helping herself by using the back of her seat. How much had she had to drink already? Or was it the pills playing their part? She didn't look high, but…. “Maybe it’s a funeral after all. Freedom is a hard thing to give up, isn’t it Esmeralda Forbes?” Her words felt like a whip.

Caleb’s hand was now squeezing mine to the point of pain again. I would almost have said he was scared, but that was a ludicrous idea. The woman was just a pill-popping alcoholic barely taller than me and so thin I couldn’t see her sideways.She was not a real threat.

James sighed, rolling his eyes at me conspiratorially as if we were best friends before turning back to his wife. “Just one evening, Jacklyn. Why don’t we top up your glass of wine?” he added, gesturing the serving staff closer.

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