Page 71 of Bittersweet Revenge

I needed to thank my family for breaking me and making me an emotionless robot most of the time, making me into someone who could ignore what he felt so well that he became a master manipulator.

William sighed. “I know. I’m disappointed by his lack of judgement and frankly, his stupidity.”

I gave him a half-smile. “Archibald has always been easy to toy with.”

William's own smile widened. He was just as sick as my father, enjoying the hurt and downfall of his own child. “And you’ve always been so good at it.”

I tilted my glass to him.

“And this is why I want to help you,” he said, sliding a folder toward me.

“These were taken last week.” He raised his hand. “I know you’ve told me you’d handle Esmeralda, but she is still carrying my name and this -” he leaned over the desk, tapping his forefinger on the file - “can cause damage to both of us.”

I opened the file. The photo was of Archie, Esmeralda, Antoine, and Taylor in front of a store in Port Harbor.

I looked up at William. “Yes, they were in Port Harbor last week. I'm aware.”

He jerked his head toward the folder. “Keep going.”

I looked at the second photo. The pain and betrayal I felt were so overwhelming I was not certain that my mask of indifference was still in place.

Esmeralda was exiting the store by the back door with Ben Deluca. In the next photo, he was leaning against his bike and she was standing too close to him for my comfort. In the next one she was hugging him and in the last, he had his arms around her and looking at her lips as if he wanted to eat her alive. I didn't need to be familiar with the man to recognize that look. It was the one I always had when Esmeralda was close to me.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, you’re not.” I was done playing games for tonight. I stood up, adjusting my jacket. “I’ll deal with this.” I pointed down at the photos. “May I?”

William nodded. “Please. They are yours.”

I picked up the photos and slid them back into the folder. “We’ll be calling it a night.”

“Yes, I understand. Oh, and Caleb?” He called just as I reached the door.

I kept my back to him, but turned my head to the side. “Yes?”

“So, I guess you agree with the Cherry Blossoms festival as your wedding date?”

“Yes,” I replied before exiting the room.

I walked stiffly back to the salon where Esme was sitting on the loveseat with Archibald and talking with Sophia.

The coal of betrayal was burning deep in my chest. I’d thought we’d turned a page. She’d bought me this heartfelt gift and I’d felt like a fool again. But not anymore. This time I was really done.

Esmeralda smiled at me. Lines of worry marked her face when I didn’t return the gesture. Was she worried about me or about herself? I snorted internally. Why would she worry about me? I meant nothing to her.

I gave her a sharp nod. “Are you ready to leave now?” I asked, my voice leaving no room for argument.

“I– Yes, sure.” She stood up, detailing me with confusion.

I turned from her and met Archibald's glare. He didn’t even know how damaging he was to his own sister. Maybe his desire to punish me clouded his judgement. He couldn’t be that stupid.

“Perfect. Mrs. Forbes.” I nodded to Sophia before gesturing Esmeralda toward the door.

“Is everything okay?” she whispered as we sat in the car.

“You tell me, Esmeralda.”

She remained quiet as I drove, my dark mood swallowing me more and more to the point of choking.

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