Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50689 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 253(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
I walk over to the governor and shake hands with him. My thoughts are on Bella and on my granny and brothers at home. As someone that used to enjoy the nightlife and schmoozing with high society, tonight I just want to be home with Bella. To me, that sounds like a perfect night.
Isabella
I wash my hands and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognize myself with the pretty dress and makeup. This is definitely not my normal look and not one I’m all that comfortable with, but at least I’ve proven to myself that I can play the part if need be.
I dry my hands and walk out of the bathroom, straight into Lucas’ assistant, Kelly. “Sorry,” I mutter before trying to step around her.
She puts her arm out to stop me and then positions herself right in front of me. Kelly and I have never had a good relationship. I’m not sure why, but from the first time I met her, she’s been okay around people, but any time we’re alone she’s been nothing but hostile.
“Did you really think you could pull it off?”
I take in a deep breath. I really don’t want to get into this, and it’s definitely not the place, but obviously she has something she wants to get off her chest. In my most bored voice ever, I ask her, “Pull what off, exactly?”
She sputters and rolls her eyes, agitated. With one hand on her hip and the other pointing a finger at me, she says, “He only married you to make his overbearing grandmother happy... as soon as she dies, he’s going to divorce you.”
I grab her hand and push it away from me. I’ve never wanted to hit another woman as much as I do right now. “Don’t talk about Lottie. You can hate me all you want, but I love Lottie and won’t let you talk about her. As for my husband...”
She smirks and laughs. “Husband... on paper anyway. You know he only married you to make his grandmother happy. He doesn’t want you, you money hungry bitch. I would have married him for free. He’ll pay you off the second she dies, and you’ll be history.”
My hands are fisted at my sides. I take three deep breaths and let them out slowly. I definitely don’t want to cause a scene, and if I let myself hit her, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I barely recognize my own voice when I say her name. “Kelly, I’m sorry. I really am. I know you love him and have for some time. But he’s married to me. He married me.” I start to walk away and stop suddenly, flipping my hair as I look back at her. “And one more thing. I love his granny. and I would do anything for her. That includes whooping your ass if you ever talk about her again.”
I stomp down the hallway toward the ballroom. As soon as I’m inside, I don’t even look around, I just make my way to the exit. I need to cool off anyway. As I get to the front, Lucas is waiting for me. He looks at me worriedly. “Are you okay?”
I don’t wait for him. I continue walking, and Lucas catches up with me when I step outside on the sidewalk. “I had the valet pull the car around. It’s coming right there,” he says, pointing the opposite direction I’m walking in.
I stop and make my way to the curb. As soon as the car is in front of me, I open the door myself and drop into my seat, shutting the door behind me. The valet driver hasn’t even gotten out yet.
When he does, Lucas gets in and turns to me. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“Kelly–”
He huffs as soon as I say his assistant’s name. He turns in his seat and starts to pull out on the road. “I don’t see what your hang-up with my assistant is. She’s been with me for the last five years...”
I throw my hands up in frustration. Is he really defending her right now? I mean, I get that she’s always super nice when he’s around, and she’s probably a good worker, but he doesn’t even know the half of it. “Well, why didn’t you marry her then? If she’s so great, why didn’t you ask her to be your wife?”
He tightens his hands around the steering wheel. “What are you talking about? You know why I asked you? Granny wanted me to marry YOU!”
He raises his voice, and I sit back in shock. I mean, I knew why he asked me, but he’s just putting it all out there in black and white. If his granny had wanted him to marry someone else, he would have done it. He could be married to someone else right now.