A

since I met Sylv

in my purse like a bomb waiting to explode. But ev

erous. T

y family. Better to endure this nightma

at's what I

dnesday

itcases in the hallway. Four large bags, expensive des

mach d

asked Maria, who was

r. Rowland is moving Teddy in

ran col

move your things to the

solute

astor in our bedroom, hanging Teddy

ink you're doin

. "Making better use of space. Teddy

ng. "This is our matrimonial be

's shirts with careful precision. "But since you agreed to stay

ng. "You forced me to stay married to you. The least you c

want me to respect a bed I'v

ou want to bring your boy toy into this house? Fine. But you're not

hanged in

red. His eyes went

you just s

not giving up my

o fast I didn't

n exploded across my cheek and m

face. When I pulled it away, my fingers we

oice deadly quiet. "How dare y

Not just from pain, but from

ed, stepping closer. "The furniture. The cars. The c

k away, but he

found you. You should be grateful I even noticed you. Do you

f me," I

aurant. Your brother gets to stay in school. All because of my generosity.

the dresser hard, knock

s!" he

. I recognized them. Robert and James. T

d uncomfortabl

outh wing," Castor said calmly, like he hadn'

strong even though I was terri

," Castor

oward me. I backed

h me! This

my arms anyway.

, struggling against th

r. I dug my heels into the carpet, but

I begged. "Pleas

way, going back to orga

didn'

was n

ouching the ground. Maria stood in the hallway,

y hel

end of the south wing. A room I had never even been in b

side and I heard

fists. "Let me out! Yo

espo

throat was raw. Kept ban

th

obbing. My face throbbed where he ha

happening. This

it

he sun set. The

voices. Mus

. More voices. Men's voices. And someth

started

as goi

ugh the keyhole. The angle was bad, bu

Castor greeted them, shaking hands,

I saw

t some looked even younger. They wore tight clothes, preppe

rif

and kissed him hard. The boy didn't

boy up the stairs by the han

eyes shut, my

air. This wasn't just C

something

could hear moaning. Pl

over my ears, but I

s begging.

r of the room and pull

he man I h

nightmare I h

in the same hous

the night. Voices calling out. Footsteps

time I closed my eyes,

ng. So

lik