got home, completely wiped out. Did

the door, heart lifting into my throat. I've always been independent, yeah, but I'm

my teeth, I grabbed a broom with one hand and twisted the doorknob with the other. The second it

wrist mid-swing.

, and yanked the broom out of my hand, tossing it aside

puffy from crying, met hi

ver me, then-without warnin

harshly on my lip. There was nothing gentle about the way he kissed. Every move was

into his chest. As soon as we were pressed that close, it

bruptly let go. His eyes were colder than ice as he stepped

pped me

ting my head up, trying my best to look defiant. "Yeah, sure, I'm pathetic! So what? You knew t

spun around and clamped down on my

ned me up against the door. His breath was hot against my

t even hesitate. With all the strength I had, I slapped him acro

is is my place! If you want a

Natalie! Cut the act! Pull this manipulative crap w

ve I pulled on you? Honestly, if you're doing all this because you blame me for pushing you toward marrying

g. "What are you plotting now? Let me say it clearly-I won't l

"Then let's wait and see. I've got a little show plan

your

trying to calm down, then said more evenly, "Look, you don't need to worry. After this, I'll stay out of your

. His tone was like a wild animal's growl. "Why should I believe you? M

u serious? I don't care i

of Clifford's people, don't think I can't see through you

but think back to Graham nearly assaulting me. That

father's care-always being used and hurt. Vivian, Oliver..

h everything I had. "I don't even know who the hell Cliffor

balance and fell back, landing on the floor with a thud. Pain stabbed through my

y, like a demon straight out of hell. "I despise liars. I don't c

to meet his glare, d

you wish yo

*

hroom, I stared at myself in the mirror-puffy eyes, messy hair, c

eft by

ped up in him? His presence lingered like a scent that clung to

t me. "Natalie! What kind of friend are you? Something that major happened and you didn't call me? You were kicked out by th

lt. "Okay, okay, my bad! Where are you? I'll c

ide Graham's offi

it was on fire. "What the hell

stard did to you, even his wife can't stand him. I'

n the floor. I paused, picked it up and looked inside-Arnica Gel, gauze, bandages, cotton, scissors... every

st night-Theodore might'v

had been h

t reall

stood there frozen,

gain. A message from Lucille

ddress she gave me, I left the medical supplies and porridge on