Page 62 of When Sinners Hate

I tear the t-shirt over my head, and flick through my wardrobe for a shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“Going out.” I pull a low-cut top from the hanger and pull it over my head before storming to the bathroom.

“Lexi, I’m always gonna weigh up what you do to see if you’re being honest. That won’t change. You were the enemy. We killed your brother. You scheme and ...”

I stop and look in the mirror, tuning him out, then turn and launch the lipstick at him. “You didn’t defend me to my father!” My scream pierces the air as I race towards him. He catches my arms and holds them closer to him, wrestling me so I can’t hit him. “You pushed me out of my comfort zone and let him dismiss me like he always does! Where was your family loyalty then? Or is it only when it suits you? Why didn’t you stand up for me?”

I twist and break my arms free. Looking around the room, all I can see is a cell – a prison of a house and a marriage and a family that could be the same. I rush towards the nightstand and swipe the keys next to his wallet.

He moves sideways, probably to try to stop me. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Taking your fucking car and going to cool off.”

“You’re not leaving.”

My hand slices across his face, fury overriding any sense and unable to stop myself. “Want to fucking bet?” He’s said it now, which, in this mood, I’m taking as a personal challenge. Everything about his frame hardens. "And don't you dare touch me!' My back is to the door, so I back up and leave, picking up my bag on the way out.

I race down the stairs and out the main doors without looking back.

“Lexi!” he shouts after me, but I don’t listen.

I click the fob, the car unlocks, and I climb in, starting the engine and shoving my foot onto the accelerator.

It lunges to life and roars down the drive, back wheels spinning out smoke.

Shit.

Too late now.

The phone in my back pocket vibrates, and I pull it out and see Abel’s name on the screen. I click the icon and put it on speaker, tossing the phone into the passenger seat.

“What?”

“This isn’t part of the deal, Lexi.”

“Well, let’s call this an amendment. After all, you’ve never shared the details of what’s in the fucking deal.”

“A month of honesty for the car.”

“Well, I thought I’d skip that. What’s yours is mine, right, husband?"

The line goes quiet.

“Come home.”

“Umm, that’s a hard one. What home would you like me to come home to? Your mother’s?”

“Alexia, listen to me–”

“No. And don’t think you can call me by my proper name and that will mean something to me. I’m going shopping with your fucking money. And I’m going to buy clothes that I want, and I like. And I don’t care if you approve or not. I keep trying, and I don’t seem to be able to change your mind for very long.” My breathing is laboured, and my heart is racing.

“You’re my wife, Lexi.”

“I am. So why don’t you let me have some fucking space from my husband, who doesn’t trust me enough to move into hishome.” I hit the phone screen until the phone disconnects and concentrate on driving the car.

~

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