Page 195 of Guardian Daddy

Still, that didn’t mean that Cate would stand by and listen to Samantha abuse her. Pushing away her fear, she stepped forward.

“Samantha!” she said sharply. “You can’t talk to Polly like that.”

Samantha whirled.

Whoa.

Cate had never seen her look anything but perfect. Not even when she first got out of bed in the morning. Usually, she didn’t have a hair out of place and her makeup was expertly applied.

But this morning, there was smudged mascara under her eyes and her hair was messy. There was even a stain on the top she was wearing.

This didn’t seem good.

“You . . . this is all your fault!” Samantha told her.

Cate watched her in concern. “Samantha, you don’t seem well.”

“Not well? What the fuck would you know, you idiot savant.”

Um. What? Why was she calling her that?

Polly walked over toward Samantha. “Um, Samantha, maybe we should book you in for a facial or a massage.”

“I don’t want a facial or massage, you stupid, ugly idiot!”

Samantha’s voice was growing louder, and Cate’s tummy tightened.

She needed to get away from her.

No.

No, she needed to help Polly. That was more important than her fear.

“Get out,” Cate said in a harsh voice. That was it. She was done. She was not putting up with Samantha anymore. “You need to leave. Right now. You’re not welcome here anymore.”

“Excuse me.” Samantha glared at her. “I’m not going anywhere. This was supposed to be my house. Rhodes was going to be my husband. And the only person who should be going anywhere is you! As soon as I had his ring, I’d have kicked you out. Always hanging around, getting in the way, ruining everything with your needy patheticness.”

Was patheticness even a word?

“It’s all your fault that everything has gone wrong! Are you happy now?”

“Why would I be happy?” Cate asked, completely confused.

She wondered if she should run and get Rhodes. His office was sound-proof, so she doubted he could hear them.

Samantha’s yelling was hard for her to take, but she was managing.

Just.

“Because you finally got what you wanted. Your brother all to yourself. He wants me out! Now, you can carry on with your weird relationship. It’s disgusting how much he dotes on you. It’s sick. I wouldn’t be surprised if there is something going on between the two of you.”

“You’ve completely lost your mind.”

“I have not! It’s you! It’s you!” Samantha screeched.

Oh God.

Samantha’s voice was piercing. Cate trembled as the other woman stepped toward her. Then Samantha’s hand flew back and she slapped her.

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