“You’re going to stay here until we get married again,” he ordered.
I looked around the empty foyer. “What about you? Are you going back to Paula?”
“Yes,” he admitted without an ounce of shame. “But I will surely come back for you. I’ll buy you everything to make up for this little rebellion. What do you want?”
I looked him dead in the eye. “I want an island.”
Brandon paused, surprised, but then a smug smile touched his lips. He thought he had bought my obedience once again.
“Okay,” he agreed smoothly. “I'll buy you an island. As long as you stay right here.”
I nodded obediently. “I will.”
I watched him walk out the door to return to the woman he truly loved. I stood alone in the massive foyer, pretending I was going to wait for him.
But as the heavy oak doors clicked shut, I smiled.
A few more days, bye Brandon.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I picked it up, the screen illuminating the dark bedroom.
Flight confirmed. Your new apartment in Paris is fully furnished and paid for the first year. Everything is ready, Kristen’s text read.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Freedom was finally tangible. Just three more days.
Before I could lock the screen, another message popped up. It was from an unsaved number, but I knew exactly who it was.
What about the deal? Have you thought about it? Vaughn asked.
I stared at the glowing words. Last night in the car, Vaughn had made me an offer. He knew I wanted to disappear, and he had the resources to make me completely untraceable. In exchange, he wanted the internal financial documents I had memorized during my years playing the dutiful CEO's wife.
I was still weighing my options when the bedroom door suddenly flew open, slamming against the wall.
Before I could even sit up, a hand cracked across my cheek. The slap was sharp, the sting immediate.
“You bitch!” Paula screamed, her perfectly manicured face twisted in ugly rage. “What did you do to Brandon? Why did he change his mind?”
I slowly turned my head back to face her, tasting copper on my lip. I didn't flinch. I just looked at her, my expression completely blank.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice eerily calm.