I took a deep breath before I quickly took another few.
“Dad, Ireallycan't fuck this up,” I said in a wild panic gripping his arm. “I can't let her leave.”
I thought of the handcuffs lying in the sex toy box beside my tree. They would work for a short while, but I couldn't keep her handcuffed to my bed for the rest of our lives.
No, I wouldn’t let my panic get the best of me.
Someone slapped my face, and I glared at Seth before rubbing my cheek. It wasn't as good being on the receiving end.
“Cut it out, Seth. How bad is it?” Dad asked as I winced at his question.
“I may have gotten carried away,” I murmured while Seth scoffed.
“Mmm, tell me what you did, and I can run a censored version past your mum,” Dad said before he turned to face the sink to wash his hands. “And pick up the damned sprout from the floor.”
∞∞∞
When Sirah left the dining room, my dad whispered in my mum’s ear. Her eyes flew to mine, and they widened in shock before she gasped. Seth was cosying up to Katya, probably to rub his ‘victory’ in my face. He wouldn't be laughing when I moved his shit around in the office. It would drive him nuts trying to find anything in his carefully organised drawers.
“Before you take things further with Sirah, you are going to see a therapist,” my mum said to me angrily. “Or a priest, whichever works the best.”
“Yes, Mum,” I said, sticking my hands in my pockets while ignoring the tittering twits in the background.
I pursed my lips and frowned at my Dad because he was supposed to give her a censored version. It was just as well that I hadn't told him everything.
“Honestly, Sterling, where did we go wrong? Did you know he took her hair and attached it to a Christmas angel for his tree?” she said as she stood up. “I need a drink.”
“I don't know, darling, but he didn't get it from me,” he said innocently as he took her hand and left.
When Seth took Kat’s hand and walked towards me to follow them out of the dining room, I used all my willpower not to smack him.
“I will get you back for this,” I told him before following them into the hallway.
“Now you know how it feels,” he said cheerily with his arm around Kat’s waist.
I glanced around, but Sirah wasn't there or on the staircase. I checked the front door, but it was still locked. With a heavy sigh of relief, I went into the drawing room. I needed a stiff drink to deal with the escalating situation.
Chapter 22
Sirah
“Mum, calm down. I love her, and I would never do anything to harm her. I might have nudged things into place in my favour, but it’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. You're all blowing this out of proportion. For God’s sake, I have her engagement ring in my pocket,” Saul said with exasperation.
My mouth fell open as I backed away from the door. Evelyn’s delighted squeal barely registered. I recalled the first time I went to Irene’s house when Ryan told her we were engaged. The woman couldn't even fake a smile when she looked me up and down like I was a vermin invading her home to steal her precious son.
I considered making a break for the front door. Saul was deluded if he thought he was in love with me. We only met last month.
“I've known her for five months, and in that time, I haven't as much as glanced at another woman,” he said defensively.
Five months? I was still married to Ryan then.
“In his defence, that is rather good for a former fuckboy,” Seth said with a laugh.
The door suddenly opened, and Kat stood before me. Everyone was looking at us, and Kat gave me a sympathetic smile.
“Sorry, I really needed to pee,” she said before she whispered. “I didn't know you were eavesdropping, but if you missed anything, I can fill you in over drinks next week. We girls need to stick together, and I’m part of an alliance. We can help you.”
I smiled weakly and nodded before I stepped aside to let her pass.