Page 61 of Wicked Scandal

Ignoring him, I crouch down on the floor beside Cat, taking in all her injuries. There’s a bruised handprint around her throat, and she’s got a busted lip that has fresh blood on it. She looks frail and exhausted, nothing like the woman I kissed goodbye just two days ago. “I’m not leaving you like this,” I tell her as I attempt to sweep some hair away from her bloody lip.

She swats my hand away, taking me by surprise. “I don’t want you here,” she whispers, but I see the truth in her eyes. “You have to go, Wilder. You’re making everything so much worse.”

Those last words are like a dagger straight to the heart. “Okay,” I whisper, “I’ll go.” The last thing I want is to make things worse for her. I’ve seen her husband's angry side now and I don’t want to be the reason he strikes her again. But I’ve got something to ensure he can’t make it any worse.

I stand up, narrow my eyes on Troy, and say, “You lay a finger on her again and I’ll make damn sure everyone knows about it.”

He steps up to me, nose to nose. “You speak a word of this, and I’ll make damn sure every dream you have is a distant memory. As for your dad, I’ll bury his ass right along with yours.” I chuckle, this time giving him a taste of his own medicine.

“You have no power when it comes to me, Troy. I can see that infuriates you. So let me make one thing clear. Your threats to me are useless, and if anything happens to her, I will bury you.”

With that, I glance back down at the woman I am falling for. I told her she didn’t have to do this alone, and I meant it. I might have to leave right now, but I will be coming back and next time, I’ll make damn sure she leaves with me.

CHAPTER 18

CATHERINE

My heart breaks every time I see a message from Wilder. Forced to ignore it, I go on with my day.

After Troy caught me on my phone, I’m careful to avoid it as much as I can while he is home. I downloaded one of those domestic violence apps that help disguise messages as other things so Troy doesn’t see anything, but for now I have to ignore it.

When Wilder came into the house and threatened Troy, I messaged him to explain a few things. He deserved to know I was okay and that Troy held my phone hostage all weekend. I can only assume he gave it back to me because of Wilder’s threats.

I told Wilder that what we have isn’t over, but I need Troy to back off for a little bit so that I can find a way to leave without ending up dead or hurt. Wilder agreed and I’ve only gotten a few messages here and there.

What I didn’t tell him is that Troy knows we slept together. At least, he suspects it. I never came right out and gave him an answer, but I didn’t deny it either. He did some digging after that day and found Wilder’s account. He saw the video Wilder made at the guesthouse and he recognized the couch.

Every excuse in the world came out of my mouth, but nothing sufficed. His mind was made up. I was belittled and made to feel like a dirty whore. But he didn’t lay a finger on me, which surprised me.

After he knocked me out and cleaned my blood off of the carpet, he helped me to bed because I couldn’t move. He's been more cautious with me. Not to be mistaken for kind or caring, but he hasn’t hit me since Wilder threatened him.

It’s been four days since Wilder showed up at my house like a knight in shining armor. There was nothing more painful than telling him to walk away. I didn’t do it for myself, but for him. Troy holds true to the threats he makes and he’d do everything in his power to bring down the entire Cromwell family.

So I made a deal with the beast. I told him I’d stay away from Wilder and we could work on our marriage if he takes anger management classes. I’m not staying with him. In fact, I’m already planning my escape, but I need time.

Today, I returned to work. My body is still sore and tired, but my visible wounds have healed. I’ve been pacing the classroom since I arrived, knowing Wilder will be coming through the door any minute—for the very last time.

The seniors are done with school after today. It literally pains me to know I won’t see his smiling face in this room ever again. I’m not even sure when I’ll see him again.

As soon as the door comes open, I freeze. Eyes watching keenly as the gorgeous soul who stole my heart enters.

I fold my hands in front of my body, rubbing my sweaty thumbs together. “Hi,” I say softly.

Wilder forces a smile, but it’s cracked and frayed and not the expression I’m used to seeing on his face. I did this to him. I hurt him.

He closes the door gently then we meet in the middle of the classroom, silence hanging heavy between us. “I’ve missed you,” he says on a whisper.

I shouldn’t admit it because it will only hurt worse when I have to run, but I can’t help myself. “I’ve missed you, too.”

A gentle hand reaches out and he strokes my cheek with the back of his fingers. “You look good.”

Cracking a smile, I say, “Thank you.”

I know what he means. He’s saying I look better than the last time I saw him. When I felt like I was on the brink of death.

“Things are better,” I tell him, partially believing the words. Strangely, things actually are better. Troy hasn’t hurt me since that day. There have even been days where I convinced myself this situation changed Troy. Maybe he realized how close he was to losing me and he’s makinga conscious effort to be better. Other days, I still see the malice in his eyes and I’m reminded that, like a chameleon, a beast can change his colors, but he’s still a beast.

“I’m glad, Cat. I really am.” The pain in Wilder’s eyes cuts through me. Tears prick the corners of my eyes and he takes notice. “Hey,” he says in a hushed tone. “Don’t cry, Kitty Cat. Everything’s gonna be just fine.”

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