I'm antsy because I fear the guys will find me first and try to stop me as I wait for the ranch hand to grab the UTV.
By the time we get there, the cab is just pulling up.
“Thanks,” I tell the worker and grab my bags, transferring them over to the trunk of the cab.
My eyes stay locked on the ranch as we drive away, tears spilling down my cheeks until I can no longer see it.
The drive to the airport is a blur of tears and heartache. I cry silently, the pain of leaving the twins and the life I’ve come to love overwhelming me. By the time we reach the airport, my eyes are swollen and my heart feels like it’s been torn to shreds.
I just manage to make the flight. I board the plane, my steps heavy and my spirit broken. I find my seat as my belly flips. I feel like shit.
Moments later, Greg sits down next to me, wincing as he does. Dread fills me as I look down at his bandaged up knee.
When my eyes meet his, he has a smug look on his face, and I feel a fresh wave of anger and despair. How much trouble would I get in if I were to punch this fucker in the face right now?
“Glad you came to your senses,” he says, his voice grating on my nerves.
“Don’t fucking talk to me,” I snap, turning to face the window. “How are you even here? Didn’t you get shot? Should you be up and walking around?”
“The doctor in this hick town cleared me to go home. I’m on antibiotics and have the wound packed. It was through and through, so no surgery, or that little bitch would be paying for it.”
My eyes snap over to his “She should have aimed higher,” I hiss. “Shot your fucking dick off!”
He gives me this pitying look like I’m some stupid woman who doesn’t know better. “You’ll see reason, Emma. I can give you a good life.”
I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. “More like I can give you a good life. You’re a fucking money sponge.”
He doesn’t like what I just said, but he turns away, not saying another word to me. Good, his voice makes my ears want to fucking bleed.
Sitting in silence for the rest of the flight, the tension between us hangs heavy in the air. When we land, my father’s driver is waiting for us, and I feel like I’m walking to my execution.
My dad meets us at the door to the mansion, his expressions a mix of concern and anger. Like children who have been scolded, we obediently follow him to his office, and with every step, a knot forms in my stomach.
“What the hell has happened in the fourteen days you two have been gone?” my father demands, his voice booming in the confined space.
“Well,” I begin, trying to keep my voice steady, “the darling man you forced me to marry has been sleeping with someone for months. Hell, maybe years.”
“Do you have proof of this?” my father asks. Proof? Is he fucking kidding me? I tell him his daughter is being cheated on and all he cares about is the proof. I hate him right now.
“When we got to the ranch, Greg had to use the restroom. His phone rang, and it was Liam. I answered, thinking it was Liam from work because he’s always doing late-night projects and taking his calls at all hours. But a breathy slut answered the phone. Liam is female, and when I went through their messages, it’s been going on for a while.”
Dad looks at Greg, his eyes narrowing. “Gregory Thomas Sutherland, is this true? Liam is awfully close to Leema, who just so happens to be your assistant.”
Greg’s eyes dart around, panic clear in his expression. “I, um?—”
“I strongly advise you, young man, not to make the situation any worse. Spit it out.”
Huh, maybe he is seeing reason?
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, now that the truth is out, Leema will be terminated from the company, and you two can work this out.”
And there we go. Nope, still the same old dad.
“I won’t,” I say, my voice firm. “I refuse to continue with this sham of a marriage. The papers are done, and Greg’s been served. You will not change my mind.”
My dad falls silent for a moment, his face gradually growing red as he processes my words.