Page 150 of Corrupt Me

Remember what is at stake.

I tell myself I have this while my eyes seek Hunter’s. He’s with our friends, locked in a hushed conversation. My place is with them, not with this stranger whose ring I’m wearing and who calls me his fiancée.

I don’t care about a title that I refuse to make mine. This engagement is a means to an end. Period.

“Where have you been?” Eric asks, cutting into my thoughts. The demand in his tone stirs the anger inside of me. I breathe out a long exhale to expel the haze of violence.

“Just needed a bit of alone time.”

He doesn’t seem convinced at all. But I couldn’t care less.

“I tried to find you, but that butler didn’t allow it. Does he know who he’s talking to?” Eric snickers.

“I don’t think Samuel cares. He listens to only one person.”

Eric takes my hand in his again. It feels like bugs are crawling up my skin, and I instantly shudder. I try to pull away, but his grip tightens.

I am not his to touch, yet he does it anyway. Rage bubbles beneath the surface, and I imagine breaking that damn hand so he’d never do it again.

But I can’t cause a scene. My parents are engaged in animated chatter with his parents. They are fabulous actors, and in our world, the key to success is to pretend.

“You make such a lovely couple,” my mother says with a fake smile, leaning closer to whisper, “Pull yourself together.”

“Then maybe you should have taught me how to,” I mumble low.

She huffs, and I stay there among people who ignore me completely as they discuss the logistics of the union and the wedding.

Another round of celebratory wishes and small talk follows. I am afraid that my mask will crack at any moment.

Eric inches his hand lower down my spine, and when he reaches just above my ass, I say, “Don’t.”

“You’re my fiancée,” he scowls, tone dripping with entitlement.

“And that means what, exactly?”

“I can’t touch you?” he asks, incredulous.

A headache throbs behind my temples. I doubt it will get any better as long as I have to deal with him. “Not without my permission.”

“I bet you didn’t say that to him,” he sneers, behaving like a spoiled little kid.

The best thing would be not to antagonize him, but I just want this night over with already.

“What I did or didn’t do before is none of your business. You can call this off anytime,” I say in a sweet tone laced with icy fakeness.

“I’ll make you forget him. I’ve waited so long. What will a few more months be?”

His delusion knows no bounds. I’d sooner forget myself than forget Hunter.

“Excuse me. I’m going to spend a bit of time with my friends now.”

I don’t wait for him to reply. Reaching my friends, the girls hug me so tightly I might fall apart any second.

“If the asshole thinks he can change our dynamics, he’s mistaken. We’ll move with you here then,” Abi says resolutely.

Mia offers me an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, Bailey.”

Celine squints at something behind me. “If he comes over, I won’t be held responsible for my actions.”

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