Page 16 of Her Ex's Father
Stella shakes her head. “I can’t believe no one realized sooner what Haider was doing.” The betrayal in her eyes, I know, is mirrored in my own; Haider, the ranch manager, practically raised both of us. He used to keep an eye on us in the stables, take us out riding. He even hand-tooled my first saddle himself. When we found out he was embezzling money last year, it was like a slap in the face.
“So, you’re going to… what? Stay married?”
“Not forever. Just… long enough for it to settle. Maybe once it all blows over, Benedict will see reason. Maybe he’ll want a divorce, too.”
Stella doesn’t say anything.
“And it’s not like we can avoid each other,” I add bitterly. “His main residence is just south of here. Right down the road from the Bronson Resort. Which means we’ll be in the same house more often than not.” I’d been planning on Derrick living abroad and coming home for holidays. Maybe less. He’s always had a reputation as an impudent, spoiled brat.
A pause.
Then—
“Oh my God,” Stella breathes, her eyes narrowing.
“What?”
“You like him.”
I freeze. “What? No.”
“Youdo!” she gasps, pointing at me like I’ve just committed treason. “Youwanthim.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“But you didn’tnotsay it. Funny how you haven’t complained about the change in yourwedding night plans.”
I scowl, avoiding her gaze. “He’s… attractive. Sure. But he’sBen Bronson.I can’t even imagine…” I trail off, because Iamimagining.
Oh, am I imagining…
“Exactly! Silver fox, power suit, voice like gravel. Honestly, I get it. Forbidden fruit, right?”
“I’m not going to…sleepwith him.”
“Youcould.”
“Stella!”
She raises her hands in mock surrender, laughing. “Fine, fine. Don’t use your wedding night. But if I were you, I’d behalfway toconsummatedby now. I was hoping that’s what you two were getting up to, but I saw him in the lobby.”
“Please stop saying the word ‘consummated.’”
Stella grins, then glances at her phone. “We’ve got fifteen minutes before dinner. You ready?”
No.
But I nod anyway.
“Let me just run downstairs and check…” She leans out into the hallway, gives me a cheeky grin, and disappears.
I turn back to the windows, looking out at the mountains.
…I could run.
There’s still time. Yes, I’m legally married, but I couldrunfrom all of this the way Derrick did.
Okay, maybe a small part of me understands why he did it. But I’m also angry, because I don’t have that choice. I don’t get the luxury of disappearing on my wedding day.
