Page 84 of Obsessed Heir

“I’m running late for my shore excursion,” she announces, waving one hand dismissively as she turns and storms away from our table.

Bronwyn departs in a huff.

“Wow.” Abigail’s eyes are still wide. “I thought mean girls were only in high school and movies.”

“No.” Holly shakes her head. “Unfortunately, they grow bitchier as they get older.”

“Great. Something to look forward to,” Abigail deadpans, removing the paper covering from her daiquiri straw with a trembling hand.

Seeing her go through that solely because of her connection to me stirs up an unexpected protective pang. Knowing shewent to the same private school I attended, together with her comment about being the help, I can only imagine the shit she had to endure.

“It’s the same as being back home,” I explain. “Be careful not to share personal information they might use against you.”

Holly nods. “Women like her end up on the wrong side of social media, and you don’t want to give them anything to trade. She’ll twist it into a weapon so she can deflect attention from herself.”

“Okay.” Abigail exhales slowly, as she takes a fortifying sip of her drink.

Holly turns to her with an approving smile. “For now, I’ll leave you to sit here and look ethereal for our audience.”

Abigail responds with a skeptical arch of her eyebrows. I understand the doubt, but Holly’s assessment is spot-on, as usual. With the light makeup, glowing skin, and those lush curls cascading down her back, Abigail is the exact image Holly wants to present. Beautiful. Innocent. Ethereal.

I can’t wait to get her alone and change everything about that.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Abigail

“Mind if I take a picture of the Maiden?”

Recognizing the male voice coming from behind me, I stiffen involuntarily. After everything that happened, why would he be asking such a question?

I swivel around to find Steven standing nearby, a camera cradled in one hand. He has a sheepish look on his face, like he’s half expecting me to tell him to get lost.

Part of me is screaming to send him packing, after how he treated me during the photo shoot.

But another part of me doesn’t quite know how to handle this situation. Right now, I’m supposed to be playing the role of the Maiden. That includes making people feel welcome on Barron’s ship.

Not quite sure what to do, I glance over to where Barron is talking to a passenger. Both men are deep in conversation withanother passenger, engrossed in a discussion about the cruise ship itself.

Their focused expressions make it abundantly clear they’re oblivious to Steven’s presence. I decide against calling Barron over, not wanting to interrupt.

“I actually came to apologize,” Steven says, taking advantage of my momentary hesitation. He lowers the camera slightly. “I was a total jerk yesterday.”

“Hmm.” I won’t say more.

He takes a tentative step in my direction then throws a sidelong glance toward Barron before continuing in a lowered voice. “Dealing with Bronwyn right before put me on edge.”

His frank admission takes me by surprise. But after witnessing the antagonistic side of the model in person, I can only imagine what Steven must have been grappling with behind the scenes.

“I…can understand,” I reply slowly, some of my apprehension melting away.

Steven chuckles, the sound oddly comforting. “Still, I never should have taken it out on you the way I did. I’m sorry if I ended up ruining the experience for you.”

“Well, it’ll certainly be an unforgettable one,” I say, unable to resist the small barb.

Steven’s expression turns thoughtful as he studies me. “I didn’t realize you were scared of water.”

I tear my gaze away, my mind flashing to that horrific moment where I felt like the waves were coming over my head. The moment I was gasping for air, the panic clawing at my chest. Then Barron put his arms around me, holding me until I could regain control.

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