༺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
༺RAYNE༻ “A surprise?” I peer at Liam, my curiosity piqued. What kind of surprise could he have prepared for me? Jonathan opens the door and Liam steps out of the car. With the door still being held open for me, I come out slowly. And that's when I see it. We're parked in front of the diner we drove past when we first came to Albany. Dine and Dance. “What's going on?” I glance at Liam. “Why have you brought me here?” “You wanted to come here, didn't you?” he says in a way that seems the words are heavy on his tongue. I blink at him. Since when did he care so much about what I want to do? This is so unlike him. “It wouldn't hurt to relax and unwind for a few hours before we go to the airport,” Liam says flatly. “Maybe this place will help take your mind off things.” He gestures towards the diner, like he’s trying to convince himself that it’s a good idea as much as he’s trying to convince me. I bet he's just trying to make me feel good. He's trying to make up for what happened
༺RAYNE༻ My breath is stuck in my throat when Liam finally unbuckles his belt. He takes out his cock and pushes his pants and briefs down his calves. I don't know where I get the strength from but I clutch his shirt and tug him to me. I send my lips crashing against his and kiss him wildly and Liam responds with equal ruthless aggression. No, his force and stamina aren't just equal, they're even more savage than mine, as if he's trying to prove a point. His tongue thrusts into my mouth, tasting me and claiming me, as though he can't get enough. It's almost like he's trying to devour me whole, kissing me like a caveman. I whimper against his lips and dig my nails into his back. The heat in my body intensifies. It's been too long since I was kissed and touched like this, way too long. Thanks to the alcohol, I'm getting rid of every inhibition and letting myself loose with Liam in between my legs. I'll definitely regret this tomorrow when I wake up with a hangover. But right now, I j
༺RAYNE༻ “Rayne dear, you're finally awake!” Kim's voice is the first thing I hear when I open my eyes. I groan a little and clutch my hair, feeling a throbbing pain in my head. I sit up and scan the room. I'm in my bedroom, back in New York. The last thing I remember is standing right outside the diner. How am I here now? “Kim,” I murmur and lean against the headboard. “What happened? How'd I get here? What time is it?” Kim sits on the edge of the bed and pours me a glass of water. “Here you go, dear. Have this first.” I take the water and drink it all in one gulp. I ask for another one and she gives it to me. I'm really feeling dehydrated like I haven't had water in days. When I've drunk enough, I repeat my questions. “You've been unconscious since last night after you had a severe hypoglycemic episode.“ Kim puts the glass down and looks at me tiredly. She has dark circles under her eyes. “What?” She nods. “You drank too much beer and it really messed with your blood sugar le