Page 79 of The Devil's Torment

“Let me know if you need anything,” I say to Xan.

“I got it.” He plants a hand on my shoulder and leans closer. “Go give your wife some much-needed support. Didn’t realize her mother was such a fucking bitch.”

The rest of my family scatter, leaving me with Victoria and her parents. Before either of them can say a thing, I get there first.

“Phillip, Laura… Alan will see you out, and I’m sure I don’t need to add that what you’ve heard here tonight stays in this room. We don’t tolerate leaks.”

Laura’s cheeks turn pink, and Phillip clears his throat. “You can rely on our discretion.”

“I’m sure I can.” The underlying threat is there, and Phillip knows it, too.

I wait for Victoria’s parents to say goodbye to her and motion to Alan, Dad’s butler, to show them out. Once they’ve left, I take my wife’s hand, bringing it to my lips.

“Ever since I told you about my mother and how much her decision to end her life affected me, I’ve felt somewhat lighter.” I kiss her forehead. “Let me lighten your load.”

Braced for an argument that doesn’t come, we head upstairs to our apartment.

Victoria kicks off her shoes the second we enter and they land with a dull thud against the side of the couch. Her knees almost give out as she collapses onto the pile of cushions, head back, nose pinched between her thumb and forefinger.

“That was some night. I hope no one is hurt.”

I sit beside her, pulling her feet into my lap. Digging in my thumbs, I massage the soles. “Me, too. We’ll know soon enough.” She groans and squirms, and her other foot shifts, the heel brushing against my dick. “Careful, or the talking will have to wait.”

“Wouldn’t be a bad thing,” she mutters.

Deciding it might be easier if I ask questions and she answers, I begin. “Is your mother always that dismissive of you?”

A deep breath lifts her chest, and her nostrils flare as she exhales. “Deep down, I know my parents love me, but…” Her cheek pops as she runs her tongue along the inside. “They loved Beth more. She was always their favorite, and they didn’t hide it. Don’t ask me why because I don’t know, and don’t ask me to ask them either, because that’s a big fat no.”

“Yes, miss.”

Her lips tilt up, but the smile doesn’t last. “I remember begging my parents for a puppy for my tenth birthday. I had visions of a cute ball of fluff—something that would love me unconditionally. Even at that age, I sensed they treated me differently from Beth. Mum’s response to my constant begging was always “We’ll see,” and to a kid that’s as good as a yes. When my birthday arrived, I tore down the stairs, bursting with excitement to meet my new best friend.” She lets out a one-note laugh. “You know what they got me? ACruftsgame complete with showing arena, several plastic dogs, plus those little jump things and a tunnel. Mum said a puppy was too much work and that it wouldn’t fit with our lives. I was crushed, and I cried myself to sleep that night and for several nights afterward.”

My throat tightens, a wave of compassion combined with anger washing over me. Her parents aren’t just tone deaf. They’re fucking idiots.

I switch to her other foot, if only to stop her from grinding her heel into my dick. Now she’s started talking, it’s important I let her finish.

“That year, for Christmas, my parents bought Beth a kitten.”

My jaw unhinges. Jesus Christ Almighty. “You’re fucking with me.”

“Nope.” She pops the ‘p’. “According to Mum, kittens are far less work than a puppy.” Both her shoulders lift up. “Just one of a hundred examples. Where Beth was quiet and introverted, I was insolent and opinionated. I stood up for myself, whereas Beth always found a way to keep the peace. I never came first with them. I’ve always felt second best.”

How I swallow the curse that crawls into my throat, I’ll never know. Always second best, and I added to that by choosing Elizabeth as my bride when Victoria, as the older sister, was the expected match in our circles. That my father granted me that freedom was surprising enough, but my poor decision weighs on me like a ton of concrete.

I want to tell her I was wrong, that I should have picked her in the first place, but the words stick in my throat. There’s a risk they’ll sound like platitudes rather than the truth. This isn’t the time. I hope I fucking recognize the right time when it comes.

“So, you see, when you told me about your mum and how parents don’t have favorites, you were wrong. They do. Mine are living proof of that. And now Beth is dead, she’s basically immortalized in my parents’ eyes, and nothing I do will ever be enough. Not now.” She grimaces. “That makes me sound selfish. I don’t mean it to. I loved Beth with all my heart, and I’ll never get over losing her, especially in such violent circumstances. But even with her gone I’m not enough for them, and that hurts.”

I stop rubbing her feet and lift her onto my lap. “You’re enough for me.”

Drawing her lips to mine, I kiss her, pouring all the things I can’t find the right words to say into the kiss. She sinks against me, plastering her body to mine. I reach for the zipper on her dress and tug it down.

“Let me show you howenoughyou are.”

Sometime later, sprawled on the couch, naked and spent, a sharp rap lands on my door, and my father calls out, “Nicholas, are you in there?”

“One sec.” I tug on my trousers, leaving my chest bare. Victoria scrambles into the bedroom, scooping up her dress, underwear, and shoes on the way. I make sure the door is closed before I let my father in.

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