I just laughed it off, closing my eyes and letting the exhaustion wash over me.
The next morning, I was dead asleep on the sofa bed in the apartment when violent banging jolted me awake. The doorbell rang incessantly.
I dragged myself up and peeked through the peephole. Standing in the hallway were two massive men in tailored black suits—Brandon’s security detail.
I cracked the door open, leaving the chain on. “What do you want?”
“Ma'am,” the lead guard said stiffly. “Mr. Sterling demands that you come back to the estate immediately.”
I rolled my eyes. “If he wants me, he has to come and take me himself.”
I slammed the door in their faces and locked the deadbolt.
Less than twenty minutes later, the banging returned. This time, it was louder, accompanied by a voice I knew all too well.
“Victoria! Open this damn door!” Brandon roared.
I sighed, undoing the chain and pulling the door open. Brandon stood there, his chest heaving with barely contained rage.
“Get your things,” he demanded, stepping into the doorway. “You’re coming home right now.”
I crossed my arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. “No, I will not. We are divorced, Brandon. We are not married anymore.”
“I don’t care about a piece of paper!” he snapped.
“Why are you throwing a tantrum?” I asked, offering him a mocking smile. “Is it because you love me? Or is it because you’re just jealous that I can finally replace you?”
Brandon’s eyes flashed. He stepped into my space, backing me up against the entryway wall. A dark, arrogant grin spread across his face.
“No,” he whispered, his voice dripping with toxic confidence. “You can never replace me. You’re mine.”
He grabbed my wrist. “And you’re coming home.”
“If you don’t come willingly,” he added, his voice dropping into a lethal threat, “I will force you. And I will make sure your mother’s hospital funding is cut today. She will die, Victoria.”
I stared at him. He was using a dead woman to blackmail me. He didn’t even bother checking if she was still alive?
I wanted to scream, to spit in his face. But fighting him now would only complicate my escape.
I let out a heavy sigh, dropping my shoulders. “Fine.”
I grabbed my suitcase and followed him to his car. The ride back to the sprawling Sterling estate was silent.
When we finally walked through the grand double doors, Brandon turned to me, his authority restored.