Page 139 of Hateful Games

“Does he?” I wince when it comes out as a taunt.

I can hear the smile drop from her voice. “He has changed, Nova. He’s become thoughtful and caring. I gave him a second chance and you need to do the same. The past is in the past.”

It’s not. It’s sitting clueless at my home.

“Fine. I’ll drop it.”

“So, I got a call from Mahi,” says my mom brightly, mentioning her assistant. “She told me Rosalie picked a few animal rescue charities to raise money for and will also be volunteering at a shelter once you both return from the honeymoon.”

Of course she did. I would pay to see her getting her hands dirty while praying that she doesn’t bring another dog home.

“That’s so wonderful of her,” continues my mother, gushing. “Before I forget, your father and I were wondering if we could visit you both for family dinner tomorrow. Unless you kids have plans.”

“We’d love to have you, Ma,” I reply. Despite the ups and downs my family have faced, the three of us have never missed eating dinner together at least once a week. I know Rosalie doesn’t trust us. Perhaps it will be a good opportunity to fix it. “I’ll let Rosalie know.”

“Perfect. Let her know we’ll bring dessert.”

“Sure. I gotta run, Ma. Will talk to you soon.”

“Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” Lowering her voice, she sternly orders, “And be attentive and go home early.”

Except, I don’t miss the hint of sadness and yearning. She doesn’t want me to turn like my father. Neither do I. However, I have other flaws that’ll destroy my marriage. Not that I’ll let my mother ever know. Like the world, I’ve kept her in the dark about the truth of my marriage with Rosalie, specifically how it came to be.

If she got a hint that either Father—which I’m ninety percent certain of—or I have a hidden agenda… it’ll wreck her. She has enough to worry about already, even though she has not once let it show.

But I can read her like a book.

Her pain is as much mine as it’s hers.

“Don’t worry about it,” I consolingly answer.

“A good businessman knows to delegate. Try that.”

Too bad the people I’m delegating to cannot be trusted. “I will. See you tomorrow.”

“Love you, beta.”

Bidding goodbye, I hang up and check the time on my wristwatch. It’s six in the evening. Quite early for me to leave. I stare at the papers on my desk and suddenly don’t find them as appealing as I did before.

Just the thought of my sassy wife is enough to pale the rest of the world.

Now all I desire is to run to her.

Jeez. Maybe Nathan was right.

I’m hooked on her.

My thorny Rose.

Chapter Thirty-seven

Nova

The house is quiet when I enter at seven, just as I left it this morning.

As informed by the head bodyguard, Rosalie spent the whole day inside and hasn’t had any visitors except Mahi. I’m assuming she spent time unboxing her stuff and settling in. Although, most of it was handled by the household staff I have hired.

While I’ve kept a close watch on Rosalie’s whereabouts over the years, it’s a whole different ball game to share a home with her. It’s intimate and exhilarating.

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