Page 92 of Downfall

I thought he knew me. I thought he understood me. And yet those words alone show how completely and utterly I’d fooled myself.

I pick up another glass, half knocking it back, no longer caring what anyone thinks. My hands are still shaking. I can feel the bruising between my thighs throbbing from where Roman’s teeth marked me. For a second I wonder if he did it on purpose, if last night he broke in simply because I’d be forced to face him tonight.

I scowl taking another gulp of champagne. The bubbles are stilted. The taste is flat. They’ve clearly chilled it for too long but no one else seems to notice. Either that or they’re too polite to comment.

“Rose.”

I let out a low breath as both my parents appear before me. I can see from my father’s face exactly how furious he is with me.

“What the fuck was that?” He hisses.

“I didn’t have a choice.” I murmur. “Darius all but forced my hand.” It’s a lie. A bad one. But in this instance it spares me.

He clenches his fists and for a moment I thank god the crowds are here because they’re tempering his anger.

“Come.” He says taking my arm, leading me away from the drinks like he’s afraid I might just guzzle them all.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“I have someone I want you to meet.”

I gulp already knowing exactly where this is headed. My mother gives me a reassuring look but there’s an underlying message to it all the same. Be obedient.

I let him lead me like a prized cow to the man all but salivating just behind him.

“Henry, may I introduce my daughter Rose.” My father says.

Henry smiles charmingly enough. “It’s a pleasure.”

I smile back as best I can. He’s got ten years on me. And they’ve not been kind to him. He’s clearly indulged in everything money can buy from the looks of his body. We make awkward small talk. It doesn’t help that my father keeps interjecting, trying to keep the conversation going while I do my best not to cringe.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Henry says after the conversation becomes stilted for the sixth time.

I frown.

“Your husband.” He says.

I bite my lip. Maybe I’ve drunk too much but for a moment I’d actually forgotten about him, I’d forgotten about Paris. I barely thought it was possible but the reflection gives me hope. Maybe one day I’ll forget about all of this. All the heartbreak. All the trauma. Every last horrific moment.

“Thank you.” I say as demurely as I can.

“I used to play golf with him.” He says like that might endear me more to him. “He was very good. Beat me a number of times in fact.”

I give another smile and take a sip of my drink. This is awful. He’s like a cardboard cut-out of a man but he’s clearly a big enough player in this city for my father to want to tie me to him.

“We should organise a round.” My father replies.

Henry nods enthusiastically like a puppy that’s being offered a nice juicy bone.

As Darius appears the conversation drops once more.

“May I steal Rose for a moment?” He says.

I frown but I don’t argue as he all but wraps his arm around me and guides me away and though I’m relieved to be away from Henry, I’m not sure this is any better.

“I thought you needed rescuing.” He says quietly.

I raise an eyebrow. “What made you think that?”

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