Page 16 of Unsealing Her Fate

I place my keys and purse down on the entry table and turn to walk into the family room that’s open to the foyer. He looks disheveled, like he’s been running his hands through his hair and making his usually perfectly styled dirty blonde hair stick up in waves all around his head.

“I texted you last night before I turned my phone off to say that I was fine and I needed space.” I hold his gaze, refusing to back down.

“It doesn’t matter, Andrea. You are about to be my wife, and I expect you to be home every night. Especially when Itellyou to get your ass home.”

My blood boils.Stay calm Andrea.You need answers more than you need to flyoff the handle.

“I wasn’t aware that I had to bow to your every beck and call, Christopher. When have I ever been that kind of woman?”

He blankly stares back at me for several moments before saying anything. “Where did you stay?”

My eyes roll. “I stayed at the studio. I’m only ever here at the house or at the studio, so if you wanted to find me, you could haveeasily.”

He stands from the lounge and walks over to the wet bar to pour himself some more bourbon. “That’s not the point. You don’t get space right now. It’s important that we present a united front to the press. Everyone will be watching us closely for a couple of weeks until this all dies down and blows over.”

I place my hands on my hips, standing my ground in front of this man who I loved with all my being only a few short days ago. “Why is that, Christopher? What have you done?”

He drops the bourbon on the table and rounds on me so quickly I don’t have time to react. “You’re going to do what I tell you. You’re going to be the doting fiancé that I need you to be. No more questions. We’re done talking about this.”

I can’t back down now because I’m far too angry. “What about my safety, Christopher? What about yours? Are you not worried about some crazy dude with even crazier eyes waltzing into my studio and threatening both of us?! Because let me tell you, I am! I’m fucking scared, and all you keep saying is not to worry about it!”

He steps forward and leans into me. His face is so close to mine that I can feel his breath on me, and I have to tilt my head back to look into his eyes. I don’t like what I see either. There’s so much contempt in them.

“You’re going to listen to me and listen good, bitch. We need to lay low. I’m not worried about some fucking prick coming to your studio. You’re going to be my fucking wife, and you’ll do as I tell you!” he roars.

I instantly recoil, scared out of my mind. Who the hell is this man? Fearing for my own safety, I make a split-second decision to try to pacify him. I hesitantly lift my hands and gently place them on his chest. Trying to hide how badly my hands are shaking. Looking up into his eyes and hoping like hell he believes me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry. I was just scared. I understand what you’re saying. I’ll stay home for a few days and call out from work. Whatever you need from me, I’m here.”

He grabs my wrist tightly and pulls me further into his body. I smell bourbon on his breath and try not to flinch. He leans his head down and runs his nose from the base of my neck up to the shell of my ear, inhaling as he goes. He slightly turns his head, so his mouth is right at my ear and whispers, “That’s a good little girl.”

He lets me go just as suddenly as he grabbed me, spins, and walks towards the door before grabbing his keys that are next to mine. “I’ll be back after dinner. Don’t wait up.”

With those parting words, he slams the door, leaving me to crumble to the floor. Placing my face in my hands, the first tears spill. I lie on that floor for what feels like hours, tears running down my cheeks and dripping onto the floor until eventually they dry up.

What has my life come to?

I finally pick myself up off the floor. I can’t stay here any longer; that much is clear. He’s left me little choice.

I haven’t missed the fact that Christopher hasn’t denied having any involvement a single time. There has been little to no concern over my safety, let alone his.

If he was innocent, wouldn’t he just come out and say that?

Why would he try to get me to stay at the house and be his doting fiancé if we didn’t have something to hide?

There is really only one conclusion I can come to after all that has happened in the past few days. Either Christopher is directly involved, or he knows too much. People don’t get threatened for no reason. And let’s not forget that little phone call where he sounded like he was ordering a hit.

I need to act fast. Christopher should be gone for hours still, but I don’t want to risk him coming home before I can execute my plan. I need to get out of here, and I need to make sure I’m not easily found.

My cell phone rings, causing me to jump when it catches me off guard. With shaky hands and trembling fingers, I flip it over to see who it is.

It’s Christopher!No, no, no. Why is he calling me?!

If I don’t answer, he’ll think something is wrong. Taking a deep breath, I steady my heartbeat and prepare to do the best acting of my life. As long as I can keep the shake out of my voice, I should be fine.

“Hey, babe! Is something wrong?”There. That didn’t sound like I’m about to bolt, did it?

“Andrea, stop your nonsense. Everything is fine! I’m just letting you know there are press outside my office, and the detective working Jonathan’s case just called me because he has some questions. I’m going into the station, and I want to make sure we’re on the same page.”

---