Page 50 of Tangled Trust

"Take a few deep breaths, Amanda. Let’s talk about this."

I’m dangerously close to tears. Not because I’m sad or anything, but because I’m livid. How dare Carter replace me so easily? Did he ever truly love me? What can I do now to show him how sorry I am that I left our marriage and gave him up?

The only thing I can think of to remedy my disastrous decision is to show him that the Au Pair is after his money. The detective told me to be patient while he digs around. He told me that it’s a little trickier when he has to move across continents to dig up information about someone.

So, here I am. Up shit’s creek without a paddle. Forced to wait patiently, like an idiot, while Ella Bloody Jones digs her claws deeper into Carter.

As if that weren’t bad enough, she seems to have bewitched my son too. It’s Ella this and Ella that. I don’t know how much more of this I can take before I lose it.

"I have to go."

"We have time, Amanda."

"You have. I don’t."

I grab my purse and head for the door.

* * *

My search is futile. Ella has disappeared without a trace. At first, I thought I’d be able to track her down by keeping an eye on Anna and Sue, but that effort came to naught.

"Is that for me? Thank you, Sebastian. They’re beautiful."

Emily Thornton is a stunning woman. We met at a symposium a few months ago, and I could tell that she was interested in me. I’ve been on my own since Ella flew the coop, and a man has needs, so I decided to court her. The only snag is that my parents have no idea that Ella upped and left like the proverbial thief in the night.

It’s been a harrowing affair, coming up with excuses as to why she hasn’t been with me on the few occasions I’ve been to dinner with them. I have no intention of admitting defeat where that little bitch is concerned, so I’ve kept my distance as much as possible and kept shtum on the whole runaway Ella issue.

"The roses aren’t half as stunning as you, Emily," I shmooze the lovely Emily.

"You do know that this is our third date," she coos.

"I do."

"Does that mean you’re planning on taking advantage of me?" she grins.

I doubt whether this woman, attractive though she may be, could ever hold a candle to Ella when it comes to getting my motor running. What would she say if I wrapped my hands around her pretty little neck and squeezed as I came hard?

"It might," I smile sardonically as the thought of roughing her up in the bedroom gives me an instant hard-on.

"Shall we go to dinner first?" I ask seductively, building up to the sexual crescendo in my mind’s eye.

"If you promise to be dessert," she giggles.

Emily may be good-looking, but she isn't Ella. No one is Ella.

I move in closer and kiss Emily on the cheek.

"After you."

I made a reservation at one of London’s best restaurants in view of tonight’s coup. The first time is always the most exciting for me. Sex with a stranger is freeing. I plan on training this one from the get-go. The mistake I made with Ella was that I hid my true tastes in the bedroom for too long.

Had I molded her into my perfect lover and partner from day one, I’m convinced Ella would have seen things my way. Instead, I changed tactics midstream. I won't do that again. I’ll also make it perfectly clear to Emily from the start that I have no tolerance for rivals. She will be mine, whether she agrees or not. But, only until I find my Ella again. In the meantime, Emily will do nicely. I need a project to take my mind off my frustration.

* * *

It’s been a month since Emily and I started dating, and already I’m bored. She’s too clingy and insecure. I need an independent woman. One who knows her own mind. It makes it more rewarding to win over someone like that. Where’s the challenge when they simply fall over with their legs in the air?

Ella was the perfect combination of inner strength and submission. Not too cocky, but just enough to make me feel like I was working for it, and succeeding along the way. Emily has yet to put up resistance to anything I’ve said or suggested. I’m over it, but I need someone by my side for outward appearances, so I continue the farce.

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