Page 107 of Between Now & Heartbreak

“You wanted to see me?”

His expression clears and he nods.

“Yes, I want to make sure that you’re over whatever problems you had with Duke.” He says, evenly. His eyebrow raised in expectation. I may have to pretend, but I won’t lie to him anymore. He doesn’t deserve the comfort of thinking he’s won. I want him to know that I’m here becauseImade the choice to be.

“I don’t see how I can get over it. Everyone has heard. Everyone knows that he’s been unfaithful. I’m not sure we can—" I look away from his now steely gaze. I stare down at my hands, I have them linked to hide their shaking.

“You’re not sure you can what?” He asks, his fingers drum his desk as he waits for me to respond.

I look at his bodyguards, their faces are impassive and I decide that even though I know they’ll go home and tell their wives, who will tell everyone they know, that maybe it’s for the best.

So I just say it.

“I don’t love Duke. I only agreed to marry him so I could come home.”

He cocks his head at me, his eyes narrow but he doesn’t say anything.

“And now that I’m here, I want to show you that I can contribute to this family. I can be more than a secretary. I’m an artist. I could create new branding for you. I could help you with the decor for model homes. I have—”

“Get out.” He says, standing suddenly and startling me into silence.

“What?” I ask.

He doesn’t repeat himself, but he walks over and grabs my arm and hauls me up.

“Go on,” he says, and with a slight shove he pushes me toward the door. I look over my shoulder at him, but move my feet in the direction he commanded.

His bodyguards start to follow us out.

He stops them.

“No. We need privacy.”

Dread spreads from my gut and by the time we reach the hallway that leads to my office, it’s permeated me to the marrow. Apprehension is making me dizzy and I stop, pressing my hand to the wall for purchase.

“Walk. Last door on the left. Now.” My father’s clipped, terse, voice makes me jump.

I do as I’m told, and walk on trembling legs down the hallway. My heart is beating so fast, I feel lightheaded.

I open the door and the lights come on automatically. I turn around to face him and my father’s eyes are blazing. His expression is gruesome. He’s looking at me like he’s thinking about killing me. The way he looked the night he sent me to the Seraphim. My fear ratchets up. He wouldn’t…nocouldn’tsend me back there.

I flinch and step away from him.

“Daddy—”

“What thefuckwas that, Elisabeth?” He says in a low, clipped voice. He steps into my space and I take a step back.

“What do you mean?” I ask, honestly bewildered and trying to control my voice.

“You idiot,” he yells, his blue eyes shooting off sparks of rage.

I want to scream for help, but my voice is trapped in my throat.

I’ve seen that look in his eyes before. Only once, but what followed it is something I never want to experience again.

“Did you have a stroke in there? Why would you say that in front of my guards?”

“Why not? Don’t they hear everything you say in there? I thought you trusted them.” I repeat stupidly. But I can hardly hear over the pounding of my heart and I’m afraid I’m going to be sick.

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