Page 108 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

“If I had to choose between you and her, it would be you every time. I’m sorry I have hurt you. I never meant for that to happen.

“I was trying to help a friend who helped me find my way back to you. I was dying without you. Nothing in my world made sense.

“What was the point in all of this if I couldn’t have you? It started with me wanting to protect you, but over the years, youbegan to squirrel your way into my heart. I thought I had hurt you and I ended up in a dark place because of it.”

“I hear your words, but they do not fix your actions. You knew how I felt. You should have told me.”

“I should have.”

Symphony

Right now, I am so mad at myself. I trusted Michael to be honest with me. I thought we had become partners.

If he doesn’t care about her, why would he help her and send her my bodyguard? If he is jealous of Adriano, who is my friend, how does he think this makes me feel?

I huff and punch the bed. How can he snore like this when I’m so upset and can’t get my thoughts to settle? I want to beat him over his head in his sleep.

Before I do something silly, I get up and climb from the bed. I need some space. My feelings are jumbled and wrapped in anger.

I look at my holster, but I’m too angry to touch it. I can’t be sure that I won’t pull a pistol and fire it. At the moment, I want to shoot him right in his butt.

“Stupid husband. Stinking liar,” I grumble as I turn to leave the room.

I stomp my way through the house. It feels so empty without all the guards that are usually here. Since we left with the family, our men are all coming in tomorrow.

I’m not used to this type of silence. Walking to the sunroom, I decide I want to play to fill in the quiet. It isn’t until I get there that I remember my piano is now in New York.

Buttface had it sent there. What does he expect me to play while I’m here? Does he give that woman gifts?

Why did he have to send Adriano to guard her? If something happens to my friend while he’s with that woman, I’ll never forgive Michael. Adriano should be here—with me.

“Ugh, why can’t I stop thinking about this?” I huff as I make my way to the kitchen.

I go to the refrigerator to find something to snack on. Maybe I can eat my feelings away. I think of calling Adriano to ask him about that woman and what’s been going on, but I realize I left my phone in the bedroom.

Glancing toward the garage door, I think about going for a drive. I snicker to myself and shake the thought off. I can barely drive in America.

My laughter is cut short as my ponytail is grabbed from behind. The person drags me back a few steps and I’m taken by surprise. I drop the plastic container of fruit to the floor and spin.

When I face my attacker, I grab his wrist with both hands and drop back onto my butt. He still has his hand wrapped around my hair, but not for long. I drive my feet into his hips and push.

When that doesn’t free my hair, I take my right foot and kick him in the face with all my might. I keep kicking until he releases my hair and stumbles back. Once I’m free, I leap to my feet and pounce, knocking him to the floor.

Blow after blow, I hit him in the face with my forearm until my body is jolted with blinding pain. I stiffen and begin to convulse. Then everything goes black.

Julissa

I wait for five minutes after Adriano leaves to get us something to eat. As much as I wanted to take a nap, sleep wouldn’t come. When Adriano said he was going for food, I realized this was my chance.

If I’m going to make a run for it, it’s now or never. This way, I won’t be a burden to anyone. I can figure out what’s next for me.

The one thing I do know is that I’m done with men until I heal myself. I deserve to find a man who loves me the way Michael loves his wife. Every time he talked about her, there was this look in his eyes.

I should have known I never stood a chance, but I had hoped. Michael is so attractive and has this presence about him. I had wanted to wrap myself in that.

Maybe that’s just it. I’m picking the wrong men. Perhaps if I stop looking for powerful men, I’ll have more success in a lasting relationship that’s healthy and good for me. I sigh and shake my thoughts off.

With my backpack on my back, I open the door to the apartment, ready to restart my life. However, as I open the door, the blonde woman from the elevator is standing on the other side with her bundle of joy in her arms. A nagging feeling settles in the back of my head.

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