Rhys looked uncomfortable. ‘Alright, fine. I just... I wanted so ti alone with you.’
He stood, fetched his phone, and handed it to . ‘Go on, call.’
I took the phone, then realised suddenly—I didn’t rember Ashton’s number.
Who morises numbers these days anyway?
I could have looked up LGH’s official number, called through the main line, and asked whoever answered to put through to their boss.
But that felt like too much hassle. It would an going through people I didn’t know, it would take too long, and it would make the whole thing public before I was ready.
So I called Yvaine instead. Her number, at least, was a palindro. Easy to rember.
‘Hello? Who’s this?’ Yvaine sounded tired.
‘It’s , Yvaine.’
‘Mirabelle?’ She swore in pain.
‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.
‘Nothing, just smacked my head. Is it really you? You’re alive?’
‘I’m fine. Can you co and get ?’
‘You’re not dead? You’re really okay? You... you scared half to death, you know that? I haven’t closed my eyes in two days. I’ve been going out of my mind...’ Her voice broke, and she began to cry.
‘It’s alright. I’m fine now, don’t worry. Just co and get , okay?’ My voice was weak and raspy.
‘Yes, yes, of course. Tell where you are. I’ll co right now,’ she said, her words tumbling out between laughter and tears.
‘Right, the address.’ I looked over at Rhys.
He took the phone from and gave Yvaine the address.
Then he turned to . ‘She says she’s on her way.’
I nodded.
Rhys left the room, and I got changed.
I refused his offer of help and slowly made my way downstairs.
The house was new and tastefully decorated, exactly what you’d expect from Rhys and his good taste.
Part of wanted to ask what had happened to the penthouse he used to own—the one I’d stayed in, the one that was supposed to be our wedding ho.
But I didn’t.
Sitting on the living room sofa, I tried to piece together everything I could rember from the day I fell into the lake, but the harder I tried, the more my head hurt.
I forced myself to think about sothing else.
Rhys sat with . He looked like he wanted to talk, but I wasn’t in the mood.
When I heard tyres crunching on the gravel outside, I knew Yvaine had arrived.
I got up to open the door.
‘What are you doing here?’ Yvaine was just stepping out of her car, talking to soone else.
I followed her gaze and froze when I saw Ashton getting out of his car.
‘Are you having followed? Tracking ?’ Yvaine glared at Ashton.
He’d lost weight. His eyes, usually so sharp, were now bloodshot, and he looked pale and worn down, as if a strong wind might knock him over.
Seeing him like that made my heart ache. My eyes stung, and a heavy, sour feeling settled in my chest.
‘Mirabelle, I swear I didn’t tell him! I had no idea he was having watched,’ Yvaine turned to quickly, her voice frantic.
I gave her a faint, reassuring smile. ‘I believe you.’
She hurried over, looked up and down, then pulled into a gentle hug. ‘Look at the state of you. You’re so pale.’
I patted her back. ‘I’m alright. Just a bit of a fever. It’s nothing serious.’
‘Let’s go.’
I nodded, then turned to Rhys. ‘Thank you again. Goodbye.’
Rhys just nodded silently.
Yvaine had never been particularly friendly with Rhys, but this ti she only snorted softly and said nothing.
I’d only taken a couple of steps when Ashton moved forward.
Before I could speak, Yvaine jumped in front of , shielding with her arms as she yelled at Ashton, ‘What are you doing here? Haven’t you hurt her enough? If no one had pulled her out, she’d be dead at the bottom of that lake right now!’
Ashton’s brow was furrowed. He didn’t say a word, his eyes fixed on .
‘I bet you wish she was dead, don’t you? Then you could run off with that poisonous bitch Genevieve without a care. Well, you can pretend she’s dead now! That should free you up nicely!’ Yvaine shook her fist at him.
A cold intensity radiated from Ashton, enough to make Yvaine hesitate, but she stood her ground. ‘Don’t you glare at . I’m not scared of you. I’d rather die than let you hurt her again. Mirabelle, let’s go.’
‘I’m here to take you ho, Mira,’ Ashton said quietly, his voice hoarse but his gaze steady on mine.
My heart clenched. I bit my lip.
Yvaine refused to yield. ‘Don’t go back with him! How can you still believe a word he says? What happens when he hurts you again? When he drives you to jump again? You were lucky this ti. Next ti you might not be!’
‘Mira...’ Ashton ignored Yvaine completely, as if she weren’t even there. His bloodshot eyes never left mine.
‘Let’s go. Ignore him,’ Yvaine insisted, tugging firmly on my arm, afraid I’d give in.
I gently pulled my hand free and said softly, ‘I have to go ho eventually.’
‘You still want to go back? You’re not planning to divorce him?’ Yvaine was hopping with frustration. ‘I swear, your brain must still be feverish. Do you really think this cheater is going to change? He—’
‘I’ll call you later,’ I said quietly. I knew she was only this angry because she cared.
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