Page 22 of His Weekend Wife

Her sister’s words raced through Ash with the acidity of poison. The situation was nothing more than a business transaction for Abby, but for Ash she was compromising herself, putting her heart on the line with the risk of starting all over again. “I’m glad you can take this so lightly.”

Abby chuckled. “Oh, come on. As if Declan will even miss the money. He probably has more than that in a piggy bank sitting in a corner somewhere.” She waved a hand through the air as if she could sweep away the magnitude of the situation.

“That’s not the point.”

“Yeah, the point is, you deserve a settlement. After all, you are married to him.”

“I don’t want his money,” Ash muttered.

Abby dropped down onto the sofa and stretched her legs. “Let me guess, you only asked for thirty grand?”

“I wasn’t going to extort him, Abby. I got only what you need.”

“So, then he gave you the money.” Satisfaction slithered across Abby’s pretty features.

Sighing, Ash sat down on the table so she could look at her. “You don’t understand.” Her damp hair wetted her shoulders and a chill raced across her skin.

“I understand he gave you the money.” Abby’s dangling earrings bounced off her cheeks. “Where is it?”

“Not so fast.”

Abby’s smile dulled some. “Why?”

“Because we have to talk first.”

And then came the frown. “Come on, Ash. Please don’t lecture me.”

“I won’t, but I can’t just hand over that much cash without expectations.” Never had she expected her sister to step up and make the right choices. Ash had always bailed her out, no questions asked. “It’s time you started thinking of your future. Phillipe is only dragging you down.”

“You don’t like him, I get that, but I didn’t like Declan either and you still married him.” Abby snorted loudly.

“First, you hadn’t met Declan before I married him. Secondly, please don’t compare Declan and Phillipe, ever. They are nothing alike.”

“What are you asking out of me?”

“That once you have this money, you pay off the debt, and don’t hand it over to Phillipe to do as he pleases.”

“That’s it? No problem.” Her smile returned.

“That’s part of it.” Smile gone again. “The other part is that you leave Phillipe, for good.” Ash realized she could be pushing her luck, but she had leverage. Something that truly mattered to her sister. Although Ash never liked forcing Abby into anything, there wasn’t another option. “I’m afraid if you don’t get away from him, you’ll be in this mess again, or worse. He’s dangerous.”

Abby sat up, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. “He loves me, Ash. He’d never do anything to harm me.”

“Yet, he’ll hit you.” Abby jumped up. Ash stood. “Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but I’m only concerned. Why can’t you see I’m only looking out for your best interest?”

“And why can’t you see that I don’t need your protection?”

“Please. Once you have this money, it’ll offer you freedom, a new beginning.” Ash’s chest tightened.

“Fine. I won’t see him again.” Abby’s shoulders slumped.

“Promise?”

“I promise,” she muttered.

All Ash could do was rely on her sister’s word. Going to the vase, she took out the money. Abby’s eyes lit up. “Wow! He gave you cash. Holy shit!”

“Yeah, just like you said, thirty grand isn’t much too him.” Ash held out the stack.

Abby took it, tossing it from one hand to the other, as if mentally weighing it. “So, this is what this much moolah feels like.” She laughed.

Chills raced through Ash. She wasn’t sure if she’d ever realized how greedy her sister was until this very moment. The look on her face screamed avaricious. “Imagine all of the hungry kids that money could feed.”

Abby looked down her nose at Ash. “Of course you’d see it with a benevolent view. I see white sanded beaches, crystal blue water and drinks delivered by cabana boys.”

“Just remember you made a promise.”

“I’m only kidding, Sis.” Abby kissed her on the cheek, grabbed her purse off the table, and dropped the money inside. “I’ve got to go.”

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