It stopped right above my mound, and the man shook his head. “Pretty little cunt you have there, all wrapped up in red just for me. I almost hope you don’t come up with the money, just so I can take my interest from it.”
The man backed off, moving through the shadows of the bedroom to the doorway, and then disappeared through it.
The sob burst from my chest, no longer able to be concealed. I scrambled to the door, slamming it closed and locking it before sliding to the floor, where my tears took over.
All I could feel was betrayal. And anger. At Caleb for not being here. At my brother for dying.
“What did you do, Axel? What the hell have you got me into?”
8
BLISS
I woke up to the door ramming against my back and Caleb swearing from the hallway.
“What the fuck, Bethany? Open the door.”
I blinked in the morning light flooding through the large windows. He shoved the door again, and it slammed into my spine with a painful thud.
“Wait,” I called. “Hang on a moment.”
I scrubbed a hand over my face, realizing I’d fallen asleep on the thick carpet, too scared to get up and move anywhere for fear the masked man would come back. I stumbled to my feet, only to be hit by the door again when Caleb ignored my warnings and pushed on it, storming his way into the room.
He stopped dead and stared at me. “Are you joking?”
I blinked at the aggression in his tone. “What?”
“What are you wearing?”
I glanced down at myself. The sexy outfit I’d put on to impress him was now a hot mess. My boobs were falling out, one strap was hanging off my shoulder, and I knew my mascara had to be smudged all over my face. My hair undoubtedly looked like a bird had slept in it. “I’m sorry,” I murmured quietly.
“Was he here?”
I glanced up sharply. “Who?”
Caleb took two steps toward me, the menace in his eyes clear. “Flannel shirt guy?”
It took me half a moment to realize he meant Nash. “What? No! Of course not. Why would you say that?”
His gaze raked over my breasts and belly, but instead of making me feel sexy, it just felt cheap. I tugged the coverup across my front, needing someplace to hide.
“You’ve never worn that for me before.”
I put my hand on his chest, trying to defuse a little of his anger. This whole thing had been a huge misunderstanding. If he’d just let me explain…
Both of our gazes drew to the ring on my finger. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered.
He stepped away harshly, like my touch offended him.
I rushed to explain. “There was no other man, Caleb. Only you. I made us dinner and put…” I gestured to myself. “All of this on. For you! It was supposed to be a surprise, but then you didn’t come home. Where were you?”
“Out.” He made no attempt to clarify.
My stomach churned with nausea as I took in his appearance for the first time. His hair was a disheveled mess. He wore the same suit he’d been wearing when he’d left the house yesterday, but now it was crumpled, his tie hanging loose. His eyes were bloodshot, and my gaze narrowed in on his lips. Were they pinker than normal? And swollen?
Like he’d spent a long time kissing someone else last night.
I hovered a hand over my mouth, knowing he’d been with someone else all night, while I’d been here, cooking and begging for his forgiveness.
Caleb turned away, like he could see the realization in my head. “Does June work for you?”
My heart ached. “June? For what?”
“The wedding.”
I stared at him.
We both knew what he’d done last night. I wasn’t even sure he’d been trying to hide it.
It was payback for what he thought I’d done with Nash. I’d hurt him, and humiliated him, so he hurt and humiliated me back.
The ring on my finger represented everything I needed in life. Wealth. Stability. Caleb would give me children to love and care for. We’d never be hungry or have to sleep in a bed ridden with fleas.
Even after growing up in my father’s house in Providence, those core needs were never far from my mind. I couldn’t depend on my father anymore. He’d made it very clear six months ago that he no longer had the means to support me. Left to my own devices, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I was back in the trailer park. I heard its whispers. I heard the way it called me home.
Back to where I belonged.
I needed this marriage to Caleb if I wanted to avoid the life my mother had fallen into.