Page 5 of Love Without Demands

And I would be Paul Bouvier’s. Forever.

As soon as I was done with work Thursday, I headed home to help Maya, but not before Paul gave me a long kiss at the door and told me he loved me. I was pretty sure my feet didn’t even touch the ground until I arrived at my apartment.

The immigration paperwork was long and confusing, but we finally wrapped it up and went to bed without speaking of our argument that morning. Thank god. I hated fighting with my sister.

On Friday, I took an overnight bag with me to Paul’s house since he wanted me to stay the night again. Auburn was at school, and Evie had just woken from her nap when I heard thegarage door open about noon. With the baby on my hip, I looked up from where I was spooning mashed bananas into a bowl.

To my utter shock, Chloe Bouvier strutted into the kitchen, and I swallowed hard, instantly eaten up by guilt. As horrible as the woman was, Ihadslept with her husband.

“M-Mrs. Bouvier. Welcome home.”

“Hmmm, soooo nice to see you, Estrella,” she said in her trademark catty voice.

“Yes, ma’am. It’s been a while.”Since you basically abandoned your husband and children, I thought but didn’t say aloud. Instead, I injected faux cheerfulness into my voice. “Evie has two new teeth. Would you like to take her?”

The bitch from hell barely glanced at her baby and shook her head.Good lord, she hasn’t seen her child in three months, and she’s not even going to hold her?

“No, I’d like for you to put the baby down so we can have a little… chat.”

The way she said that last word made my stomach roll over, but I nodded. Carrying Evie to the living room, I placed her in her playpen and returned to the kitchen.

Chloe was dressed in a pristine camel-colored wool coat, looking like a million bucks as she leaned against the counter with her arms crossed over her middle. “How long have you been sleeping with my husband, Estrella?”

I practically choked on my own tongue as I felt heat stain my face bright red. “I, uh, I don’t…” Dammit, I was such a shitty liar.

“You might as well tell me the truth. I already know.”

What? How?

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I managed to say, unable to meet the woman’s eye, which I was sure only made me look more guilty.

She let out a laugh that would put the Wicked Witch of the West to shame. “Let me guess. He told you he was going tomarry you, right?” Then she made a tsking sound as she pushed away from the counter and strolled toward me until she was right in my space. “Oh, you poor, dumb girl. Men like Paul Bouvier don’t marry…the help.” Her perfectly glossed lips made a popping sound on the last word.

Biting the inside of my cheek to stave off the impending tears, I simply shook my head. I had no words.

“I’m going to need you to vacate my home immediately. Yourservicesare no longer needed.” The snide curl of her mouth was laced with derision and bitchiness.

“Mrs. B-bouvier, I don’t know what you mean.”

One of her eyebrows arched high on her smooth forehead. “You see, I have some very happy news,” she said, unbuttoning her coat, “Paul and I are expecting another baby.” Her hands rested on the barely there bump that was obvious on her normally thin frame.

No, no, no. That can’t be right.

But he did say he slept with her before she left… and used a condom… which she provided.

“Congratulations,” I heard myself squeak, though that was the furthest sentiment from my mind. In fact, the mere thought made me nauseous.

“Thank you,” she said in a cultured, superior tone. “Paul was thrilled when I told him. He’s hoping for another girl. You know how much he adores Evelyn.”

“Yes,” I whispered, staring at the floor because I simply could not look at her for one more second.

“So, like I said, we would like you to leave our home.”

My eyes snapped to hers.This couldn’t be right. Paul wouldn’t abandon me. He loves me.

“I can see you’re questioning me, Estrella, but I assure you this is what my husband and I want. In fact, Paul said to give you this for your… troubles.”

She stuffed something into my purse on the counter, and I glanced over to see stacks of hundred-dollar bills sticking out the top.

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