Total pages in book: 148
Estimated words: 135517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135517 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 678(@200wpm)___ 542(@250wpm)___ 452(@300wpm)
“This is all your mother’s fault.” I knew my mistake as soon as I said those words. The room felt as if the temperature had dropped fifteen degrees, and the looks in both their eyes as they turned to look at me sent shivers down my spine. Sometimes it was hard to remember that we were all about the same age because these two always seemed older at times like this. Almost as if they knew things I didn’t.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.” My voice shook a little, which I tried hard to control, along with my shaking hands which I clasped in front of me, looking suitably contrite.
“You’d better not repeat that. Don’t ever let mom hear you say that. Next time we won’t be so understanding. You knew the deal when you signed up. Just deal with it and stop being a sniveling little bitch.” Noel ordered.
“Yeah, I thought people from New York were supposed to be tough?” Nicole chimed in.
“What do you expect from someone as poor as she is?” They laughed together at my expense, and I had to bite my tongue to shred to keep from making another faux pas.
I hate it when they remind me of how much richer they are than me. Or that even though my family was able to afford private school for me when I was growing up, it was nowhere near the caliber of theirs. Or that though we spent summers in the same city, they lived in a much nicer side of town than my family could afford.
But things were supposed to be different now. I’d married one of the richest men in the world in my age group, thankfully, or daddy would’ve probably sold me off to some old geezer just so he could live the life he’d always dreamt of. No one seems to understand my part in this; everyone’s just out for themselves.
But I’m the only one suffering. I used to think that dad had done all of this for me. He’d moved mountains to get me what I wanted. Those times I almost gave up because Ryder was always with her or some other imbecile when they were on a break, and everyone kept crooning about how in love they were; I thought I would die.
But my dad was always there to help me stay the course. And the more he worked behind the scenes, the more I saw my dream within my reach, but no matter how or what I tried, she was always there, standing in my way.
So what if we had to use drugs to get him to come around? Dad, Mary, and even Matt had promised me that once things were settled, we could get him off the drugs, and he and I would have the fairytale like he once had with her. But it’s been so long, and it hasn’t happened yet. How long must I wait?
“Why isn’t anything working anymore? What happened to all the promises you guys made?” I’d come to appreciate those three years when Elena was in hiding though it was a two-edged sword. On the one hand, I didn’t have to see her stupid face, but on the other, I got to see my husband pine for the sight of her each and every damn day. For that torture alone, I deserve everything I want to have for my own.
“Hey, we did our part; it’s not our fault that you’re stupid.” I’m getting so sick and tired of these two; this whole family, in fact, talking shit about me and acting like they’re better than me. My husband is as rich as both of them, and yet, here I am, begging them for scraps.
Again I had to bite my tongue, but I didn’t know how much longer I could take this. I hate the fact that I have to do this with them, that their money and clout in this town have such a hold on me and my life. I hate even more their part in my marriage and wish I could go back to the beginning and do everything differently.
But how? Nothing I tried before they offered to help was getting me anywhere. Even at my best and his highest, Ryder could never see past that bitch to see that I was better for him. She’s not even one of us. How could he prefer her over me? It’s just not fair. My eye started to twitch as my blood pressure rose. I think it’s time for another pill, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to take it in front of these two.
I know better than to show any weakness in front of anyone from the Hohtun family, but it was getting harder to keep the mask in place whenever they were around. “I think I need to take a nap.” Neither of them made a move to leave, and I bit my cheek this time to hide my displeasure.