Page 114 of The Husband Contract
“It hurts me too,” he reveals in a low, guttural tone. “In fact, I didn’t want to believe it. That’s why I never actually followed through with any of the things I was going to do when I made you sign that contract.”
“You still left me locked up in your apartment. I was still a prisoner of war.”
“You weren’t a prisoner—” He throws his hands up in the air. “Fine. You were.”
We’re silent for a moment, both of us catching our breath and aiming to calm ourselves down before continuing.
“I still don’t understand why this happened,” I say, frustration edging into my words.
“Can you think of any reasons?”
I shake my head. “Maybe because Charlotte has always hated me. I don’t really know why. She’s never been a good cousin and certainly never seen me as an equal. She’s never loved me.” I can feel my body going cold. “I guess the only people who’ve ever truly loved me in my life were my parents, then Katherine and Brielle. And I suppose that’s why I stayed there because I didn’t want anything to happen to them. I didn’t know what you would do.”
“I wouldn’t have done anything.”
“I can’t believe that. I just don’t know.”
“How are you feeling about your parents?” he asks, eyes sorrowful.
“What do you mean, how am I feeling about them?”
“Their anniversary was yesterday, right? Of their passing?” He studies my face intently, and I frown.
“How did you know that?”
“I just…” He shrugs. “It was yesterday, though, right?”
“It was. That’s why you couldn’t see me. I never do anything on the anniversary of their death,” I say softly. “I went to the cemetery—to their grave—and I took flowers. I told them everything that happened, and I asked them for their strength and their guidance. Because I feel like you tried to break me, but I’m not going to let you. I’m stronger than you think, Sebastian.”
“I know you are. And I never tried to break you. I promise you that. I love you, Willow. I’ve loved you?—”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
“I understand that. I’m going to call Louisa to get to the bottom of this.”
“Fine,” I say. “Go ahead.”
“Do you mind if I call on speakerphone?”
“No.” I watch as he pullsout his phone, finds her contact to call, and then it rings. After no answer, it goes to voicemail.
“I suppose maybe she has nothing to say to me now that she’s been busted,” he grumbles.
“I mean, if I were her, I wouldn’t. What would be the point?”
“To explain to me,” he says. “She and I have had a working relationship for so many years. I’m devastated that she has betrayed me like this. Let me try her again.” He dials the number once more, and this time she answers.
“Hello.” Her voice is snippy.
“It’s me, Sebastian.”
“I know. What do you want?”
“I want to know why you did this. Why you set me up. Why you had Charlotte pretend she was Willow. I know this was your brainchild, Louisa. You’re the one who sold the shares. You’re the one who knew this was the absolute worst timing for a huge dump of shares like this. Are you working for another company? Are you?—”
“It has nothing to do with the business, Sebastian,” she says bitterly. “Nothing at all.”
“Then why?”
