Page 83 of Downfall

“That’s it?” My father asks like he’s not quite convinced, as though there’s some bigger secret I’m hiding.

“That’s it.” I state.

“Fine.” My father says dismissively. “But it still doesn’t explain why you were onthatroad.”

“I can’t answer that. Paris must have told the driver where to go before I even got in.”

He huffs.

“Is that it? Can I go now?” I ask.

“No.” He says waving his hand. “Sit down.”

I shake my head but I can’t refuse so I’m forced to sink into the chair, hearing the leather squeak in protest.

“We need to discuss what we’re going to do now Paris is gone.” He says.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

He throws me a look like I’m an idiot. “You’re back on the market technically. We need to make sure your next match is as advantageous as your last was.”

“What?” I grip the arms of the chair, digging my nails into them till it hurts.

“We’ll give it six months, that should be enough time to be prevent any idle gossip.”

I shake my head. “No.” I say but he doesn’t hear. He’s too busy planning this out.

“You’ll need to behave of course. Need to keep up appearances.” He fixes me with a look. “I know you were out drinking so that will have to stop.”

“Excuse me?”

“You need to act chaste. Everyone knows you’re not a virgin, what with your first marriage but still, you need to present yourself as the ideal wife nevertheless.”

“I’m not doing that.” I state. “I won’t do that.”

“Rose.” My mother says gently.

“No.” I snap. “You already sold me once. I did what you wanted. I’m not sacrificing myself again.”

“No?” My father grins. “Not even for…”

“Ignatio.” My mother says cutting across him. “She just needs a little time. Her husband has just died. You can hardly expect her to be entertaining such an idea so soon.”

“We don’t have time.” My father growls. “The Montagues are gaining ground. We no longer have a link to the Blumenfelds while their whore of a daughter is all but engaged to Otto and now that Roman has returned our very existence is threatened.”

“So that’s what this is about.” I say. “The old rivalry. Us vs. them.”

He glares at me. “That’s what all this is about Rose and you of all people should remember it better than most.”

“What does that mean?” I retort, my anger blinding my now to any sense of reason.

He smirks, his eyes dropping to take me in like I’m a piece of meat he’s appraising at the butchers. “I think you know well enough, you were happy enough to spread your legs for him last time. It’d be prudent of me to ensure the past doesn’t repeat itself.”

I spring up from the chair so quickly I’m surprised it doesn’t flip backwards. My mother is quick to step in, to play the part of go-between.

But I’m gone. Storming out the door. With his insult still burning my cheeks.

Roman

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