Page 104 of Filthy Rich Temptation
I don’t want to talk.
Axel
Who said anything about talking, I plan on drinking…
* * *
Sadie
‘Did she go down okay?’ Taylor asks, pressing a glass of wine into my hand.
‘Yeah, she’s exhausted. A morning with Isla’s grandkids, then several train journeys, and…’
‘Isla?’
‘Theo’s housekeeper. She took her to?—’
The lump in my throat swells, and I cover my mouth to stop the tears from falling.
‘Come on, darling. Let’s get you sat down.’
She gently steers me into the living room. The space is just as impressive and minimalist as Theo’s, but hers feels softer – all creams and pale woods, perfectly Taylor chic. And here I am, the undone mess right in the centre of it all. Like always.
But I’m too hurt to care.
I fold myself into the sofa, curling my legs beneath me, and take a slow sip of wine. I don’t taste a drop. Every sense is caught in my thoughts – on Lottie, how happy she’d been coming back with Isla, how her joy softened into sadness when I told her we were leaving. Leaving without Theo.
‘She’s going to miss him so much, Tay. And I don’t know how I’m going to explain it to her.’
Taylor studies me intently. ‘Are you sure it’s her you’re worried about?’
My heart stutters, my eyes clashing with hers. ‘Of course it is, I let her get attached and now…’
‘Now what? You’re acting like you’re never going to see him again.’
‘I don’twantto see him again.’
‘I don’t think that’s true.’
‘He hurt me, Tay. You both did. I had a right to know. You should’ve trusted me with it.’
Her face crumbles. ‘I know, darling, I know, and I’m so sorry. But that night, you were a changed woman. When I thought about how you were at the airport, I just couldn’t bear you taking a backwards step. That man hurt you enough.’
‘It has nothing on the pain of being lied to by Theo.’
‘He didn’t lie to you, honey. He just didn’t tell you what happened because I told him not to. I wanted to protect?—’
‘Don’t you start with the protection thing. I’m not a kid any more.’
‘No, I know you’re not.’ She strokes my hair back from my face, her eyes welling up. ‘And I… I think you’re in love with him, aren’t you?’
‘What?’ I choke out. How can she know? ‘What did he say?’
‘It’s what neither of you are saying. I can see it in you. I think I saw it in you that night, but I told myself it was just the joy of seeing you happy again.’
‘I’m not… I don’t…’ The lie dies on my lips. ‘Oh Tay, I’m such an idiot. I loved him back then, you know. Before college. Before Danny. And he knew it. I told him. But he couldn’t see me as anything more than your little sister – he still can’t.’
‘Are you sure about that?’
