Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22674 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
He sighs. “I know it sounds callous, but he’s leaving me millions, Katie. I’ll never have to work again!”
Twisting my lips, I force the fakest half-smile I’ve ever given in my life and nod. “Give me a few hours to think about it?”
It’s got to be a question so he doesn’t feel like me, a little girl compared to him, is telling him what to do. And it works. He nods, rising off his heels with excitement.
“Okay, but don’t take too long!” His phone buzzes in his pocket. “Shit, that’s my lawyer. I’ve got to take this. Call me soon, okay?”
I nod as he takes the call and walks away. Once he’s gone, I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. The recording app is open. It got our whole conversation.
Hell yes.
“No way am I marrying Kyle Reed.”
Now all I have to do is bring this to Robert, and he’ll have even more solid proof of his son’s betrayal.
But just as I’m about to grab the door handle and leave the drawing room, the door opens inward, bonking me in the nose. I stumble backward and let out a pained groan as Clarice wiggles in.
She’s dressed in all white: baggy white pants, a white top, white cardigan, and white slip-ons. Something about the outfit just doesn’t work for me. It’s like she’s trying to show the world that she’s some pure, virtuous woman. But in reality, she’s a gold-digger who has no problem sleeping with her boyfriend’s son if it benefits her.
By the look on her face, I can tell she wants to talk. There’s nothing I want less.
“I was just on my way out—”
“Well, well, well, look who it is,” she hisses, grinding her teeth as she glares at me. It’s only now that I notice how snakelike she looks. “On your way back to spend the day with Robert?”
Something about the way she says his name makes my blood boil. Her tone is acidic, spiteful. Like she is actually jealous about me being with him.
Five minutes ago, I wouldn’t have even given her the time of day. But after suffering through that conversation with Kyle and almost having my nose broken, I’m on edge. So against my better judgment, I snap back.
“And if I was, why would you care? You had no problem cheating on him.”
Clarice’s eyes flare, and she scoffs, looking for a minute like she’s going to slap me. She steps closer, running her tongue across her lower lip. More snake vibes.
“You really think he wants you, don’t you?” she asks. I try to walk past her, but she steps in front of me, blocking my path. “That’s what I thought too. But you know what he wanted? Arm candy. That’s it.”
“Clarice—”
“Just a hot young girl to have on his arm, to show off in public, take to events. But most importantly, so he can one-up the other guys.”
I turn away, rolling my eyes. It’s clear she’s pissed off, but a tiny part of me wonders…is she making sense?
Famous actors, athletes, celebrities of all kinds—they all love to date young women. But I’ve never in my life, not even once, seen myself as arm candy. That’s for sure.
Clarice comes off as the kind of woman who could play that role with ease. In fact, she looks like she’d love to show up to Robert’s business events, even without him being there, just so she could have more eyes on her.
But me? I’ve always been more comfortable curled up in my room, hanging out with Deena or digging into one of my many cozy mystery novels. I don’t need the world to admire me to feel special. All I need is Robert.
“You think I’m lying.” Clarice sneers. “But why? Why would I make this up?”
“Sorry, I’m not a mind reader.”
“You’re not anything,” she jabs back, getting right up in my face. The scent of her perfume is overwhelming. Toxic. “You’re not a model, you’re not an actress, you’re not from a wealthy family. Do you even have a plan for your life?”
My heartbeat accelerates as she continues to throw more jibes at me. They’re like little pin pricks attacking me all over. I keep telling myself that she’s full of it. That I know Robert, and he would never feel this way about me.
But do I actually? I mean—how well do I really know him?
Despite the electric connection between us, we only met yesterday. I was engaged to Kyle for months, ever since I turned eighteen, and Robert never once made an effort to introduce himself to me. Thinking about it now, that seems…odd.
For the briefest of moments, a tiny surge of panic twists through me.
You let him come in you.
If what Clarice is saying is true, then I could end up carrying his child. And if he decides to abandon me for someone younger and hotter? Where will I be then?