Total pages in book: 225
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 218500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1093(@200wpm)___ 874(@250wpm)___ 728(@300wpm)
And it’s like none of us are even here as Michael and Shannon Steele renew their vows. They recite them staring at one another with so much emotion in their eyes it’s as if they’re alone and ready to tear one another’s clothes off. It’s like they’re getting married for the first time and it’s so vividly emotional, I forget my predicament for a couple of minutes, unaware until they’re finished kissing that Derek is holding my hand to his mouth, kissing it, watching me have the reaction as if I’ve watched a beautiful romantic movie.
While I shake off the stupor, Carson appears with a tray of champagne flutes.
The women seem to be giving me a wide berth, likely trying to avoid me asking for help again. Not that I’m about to. They’ve made themselves clear and this moment is about the renewal of vows between two people who’ve chosen to spend their life together, as messed up as the fruits of their union might seem to my eyes.
“Time to go,” Derek whispers in my ear before announcing it for all the other ears around. He kisses his mother on the cheek, and she looks at me with a strange look in her eyes as she reaches for my hand.
I hesitantly accept it. She gives me an almost maternal squeeze and smile.
“It was lovely having you here for such a special family moment, Chloe. We’ll talk. I’ll set up your press preparation appointment and then we’ll discuss your wedding.”
“Don’t bother,” Derek tells her. “I’ll take care of that. All of that.”
“But…” His mother starts but then lets it hang, looking at him strangely.
His father leans in and kisses my cheek. “Lovely to meet you, Chloe. See you both on Saturday night.” He stares at Derek and their eyes meet. “Please allow your mother to help,” he requests.
Derek’s eyes skim his father’s face and then settle on his mother’s hopeful one.
“Okay,” he concedes.
I stare blankly for a second, and then decide to shoot my shot one more time. “Happy Anniversary. Thank you for your hospitality today, but I’m going to do my absolute best to not be there next week. I really think you all need to sign Derek in for psychiatric help. Since Derek’s sisters and mother didn’t listen to my pleas, I hope you will.” I eye Derek’s father who is staring at me with an unreadable expression. “I’m here under duress. He’s made threats and has been relentlessly stalking me and derailing my life while manipulating me.”
“We’ll see you all Saturday,” Derek says casually, grabbing my hand.
I look over my shoulder as he leads me away and they all watch. Saying nothing.
Eli sips his champagne.
Ash looks like he finds this funny.
Jonah, though, looks at me with concern.
Our eyes connect.
“Please,” I mouth.
Derek tugs my hand a little more forcefully as Jonah jerks his chin in acknowledgement.
“Naughty girls get punishments, Chloe,” Derek says into my hair and picks up his pace.
I burst into tears and am audibly sobbing by the time we get to his car.
The valet hands him keys and looks at me with concern.
“Help?” I ask the valet.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
Derek crowds the valet with an intimidating expression. The young guy swallows and looks away.
“Hold up,” I hear from behind us.
I turn.
It’s Jonah.
Thank God. Someone.
“A minute, Derek?”
Derek opens my door and ushers me inside before stepping to the side with his brother.
They walk about ten or fifteen paces, so I can’t hear them. Derek puts his hand on Jonah’s shoulder and speaks close to him.
Elijah joins their huddle and hope flares.
Maybe these two are going to talk sense into him.
Or subdue him until the men with the white coats arrive?
Derek’s father joins the huddle, as does Ash.
I swallow and watch as they all speak to one another.
Derek’s father claps Derek on the shoulder and says something and I watch Derek’s expression drop.
Hope sparks in my belly.
But then Derek is coming toward me again. He gets into the driver’s side and starts his SUV.
Confused, I look toward his dad and brothers, but they’re all walking back to the house together.
I reach for the door handle, ready to jump out, but the locks engage, and Derek angrily squeals away from the curb.
He’s pissed off.
And I don’t know what this means for me.
After I’m off the property, I reach for Chloe’s hand.
“I regret taking you there. I’m sorry if all of that upset you.” I lift her hand and bring it to my lips, kissing her knuckles twice, then holding her hand against my cheek.
She rubs her lips together, then her chest falls with a big exhale. She uses her free hand to dash tears away from her cheeks.
“I don’t apologize, Chloe. I don’t feel remorse, typically. But I do right now. I’m sorry that stressed you out. That you felt treated as insignificant.”