༺RAYNE༻ “What was Sabrina doing here?” That's the first thing Liam says the moment he reaches where I'm standing, just outside the huge door to the living room. “Welcome home,” I reply, ignoring his question. “You're back earlier than usual. Not much work at the office?” My eyes wander all over his face and his body. Is there ever a time he doesn't look like a snack? Sabrina's dirty words start playing in my ears. They're slowly taking a toll on me. If only what Liam and I had was real, I'd be jumping in his arms and begging him right now to make love to me all night long. Liam's face twists into a frown, disrupting my thoughts. “Drop the small talk. I asked you a question and I expect an answer, Rayne. Now. What was she doing here?” What's his problem? Why is he this mad that Sabrina came over? Does he have a personal issue with her? Or did someone or something upset him at work and now he's taking it out on me? The way he's looking at me right now is enough to make me tremble
༺RAYNE༻ “Liam!” My voice comes in a grating squeal. I'm horrified. My cheeks flare hot from the embarrassment of having been caught fingering myself. “I liked it better when you moaned my name,” Liam tells me and brings my thong to me. “You dropped this. You really should be careful how you throw your stuff around here. You have a bodyguard just outside your bedroom.” He smirks and dangles my panty at my face. I reach for it, my face still crumpled from humiliation. But Liam quickly withdraws his hand and clutches my panties again. I don't even have the words for him right now. I can't believe this is happening. I had been so engrossed with playing with myself and trying to climax, so far gone in my own little fantasy, that I hadn't even considered the possibility that Liam might still be within earshot. I didn't hear him walk in or even hear the sound of the door opening. I didn't realize he was watching me like a hawk, no doubt enjoying the show. I had my legs spread so wide,
༺RAYNE༻ The flight to Albany where we'll be meeting Vesper Vandal is nothing short of my expectations. We travel in one of Liam's private jets. The view of the city below is breathtaking. I've always loved flying but there's something about flying in a private jet that makes it all the more exhilarating. It's my first time boarding a private jet and travelling in style like this. When Liam mentioned we'd be using it, I pictured everything about it to be fancy. And I wasn't wrong. The jet is like a luxury lounge. I'm totally blown away when I see the mini-fridge on it, jam-packed with all these delicious snacks that I never even imagined could be on a plane. And to top it off, there's this awesome selection of fancy wines to choose from, making the whole experience feel super fancy. There's even a cool entertainment system with so many movies and music. It's like having our own private cinema in the sky. But of course, Liam has to ruin everything with his killjoy attitude. He doesn
༺RAYNE༻ How on earth is this even possible? Henry's mother is Marcela Vandal? I watch as she takes her husband's hand and draws closer to him, her eyes never departing from me. Her face is a mix of shock, surprise and something else.... Something that's definitely not good. “Rayne,” she says again, drawing out my name, this time with no hint of surprise. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here. You're Mr Everhart's wife? Interesting.” First of all, there's nothing pleasant about the way she just said what she said. I'm uncertain if Liam or her husband sensed it but I did. There's a prickly chill in her tone harsher than the December wind outside. She’s clearly displeased and it's not difficult to guess why. It must sting to have her son's ex-fiancée in her own home, now married to a billionaire. Secondly, my marriage status isn't even as shocking as hers. I knew Marcela was married to some wealthy businessman but I never thought she was the Marcela Vandal I came all the way he
༺RAYNE༻ The dinner's going well, much to my surprise. I don't know what I was expecting but it's definitely not this. Marcela hadn't made any snide comment about me, hasn't baited me to say anything, hasn't even hinted at that thinly veiled dislike of me. She’s as sweet as a Georgia peach. It's almost like she's a completely different person. I honestly don't know what to make of it. She's acting like a charming, friendly, lovely host. She even willingly serves me dessert herself, not hesitating to spoon some crème brûlée into my bowl with a smile on her face. “Rayne, would you like a little more of it? Or perhaps some of the Valrhona chocolate mousse? And of course, there’s the crepes Suzette if you’d prefer something more exotic.” What in the world has gotten into her? I'm speechless for most. Her change of attitude is just startling. I don't talk much. I just smile at Marcela and I keep my responses short and simple. However, Liam, just like always, does most of the talking i
༺RAYNE༻ “Pardon?” One of my brows is arched at Marcela. “Yes, Rayne. You are ancient history in my son's life. You have no idea how happy I was when I found out you left Henry. That was what I've always wanted. Thank you for finally realizing that you two don't belong together and for leaving him.“ I chuckle bitterly. “Well, all of the credit goes to your son. You should be thanking him.” “Yes, yes, I heard.” She nods. “Thank goodness I didn't attend your wedding. What a scandal that was. But you deserved it nonetheless. Serves you right for driving a wedge between me and Henry.” Oh, I was right. This woman's still a bitch. “It's no secret that I never liked you, Rayne. It was never personal though. I just couldn't stand the thought of my son being with a gold digger. And I was right about you. You were only with Henry because of his money. In such a short amount of time, you snagged the next rich man you could find. You hit the jackpot.” She sips her champagne and continues. “
༺RAYNE༻ “You're lying!” I scream, shaking my head. “Liam would never come up with something like that! He'd never agree to something as despicable as this!” I say all of that repeatedly and even in my head. But it's more like I'm trying to convince myself than I'm actually telling Vesper. The more I repeat, the more I begin to find truth in Vesper's words. Liam is a man who'd do anything to win. It's like he has a phobia for losing, especially a cutting-edge business deal like the Hudson valley project. The extent he's willing to go to, the lengths he’s willing to go, the depths he’ll dive. Is he really capable of this? Of selling me like a commodity? His own wife? Our marriage might be a sham but no one other than the two of us knows that. So how can he offer his wife to this old fool? How can he pimp me out to this creep like I'm some prostitute? “It's true,” Vesper replies and proceeds to unbutton his shirt after taking off his tie. “I don't think you know your husband as much
༺RAYNE༻ “There you go,” Kim chirps, “all done! Your sugar levels are looking much better today.” She smiles warmly as she puts the medical supplies back in her bag. “How are you feeling, sweetie? You seem a bit shaken.” “Is it that obvious?” I sigh and stare into space. I'm still thinking about everything that went down last night. How close I was to getting raped by that pig. How I barely managed to escape. It all feels surreal. What if I wasn't so lucky? That disgusting man would have really had his way with me. I cringe at the thought. “Rayne, darling, are you okay?” Kim says, putting a hand on my back. She caresses it and then runs a hand on my hair. I force a sweet smile and nod. “I'm fine, Kim. I think. I just...,“ I heave. “I just can't stop thinking about what happened last night.” “What happened, dear?” She takes a seat beside me on the long armchair. “Did something happen at the gala?” Right. I didn't tell her about it. I start spilling everything to her, not missi