Page 16 of Vow to Hate You

I stared at him in shock. “You went shopping for me?”

“I knew you’d need it.”

“How long did you know I was coming to the city?”

He lifted his head to look at me. “Long enough.”

“Damian,” I snapped. “How did you know?”

“IownClub Facade, Talie,” he answered, giving me a long look. “I vet every single person who tries to get a black card. I had no intention of letting your sister get a membership.”

“Apparently you changed your mind.”

“Only because I remembered how important her birthday was to both of you.” He paused. “You two would talk for hours, planning your birthdays. I had a feeling you wouldn’t miss her twenty-first. I was right.”

I blew out a breath, anger washing through my veins. There was no point in even fighting with him because it wouldn’t change the outcome now. He leaned against the dresser, watching me as if waiting for my outburst. I didn’t give it to him, storming to the bathroom instead. After locking the door behind me, I opened the drawers, finding he had been telling the truth about stocking everything. The makeup was all top-shelf and brand new. There was also a curling iron and pretty much anything else I needed to do my hair.

I muttered a curse, slamming one of the drawers shut and resting my palms on the counter. The weight on my chest was growing by the second. I was in the exact spot I tried running away from five years ago. I’d be expected to look perfect. Act perfect. Especially when meeting with my father. He was going to be less than happy when he saw my dyed hair.

I would rather be anywhere else than going to this lunch, but I still grabbed the brush to fix my hair. Damian was going to drag me there one way or another, and I didn’t want to start off this little reunion by pissing off my family or his. Especially if I really was going to have to stay here.

An ache settled in my chest as I carefully applied my makeup. I’d found a life I enjoyed when I was overseas. It wasn’t upscale or paid by the millions, but I loved it. Now it was fucking over.

After curling my hair, I pinned it into a loose bun, staring at my reflection with a frown. The light makeup and updo was nothing short of boring. Usually, my eyeshadow was as bright and colorful as my hair. It wouldn’t be accepted here. I felt like I was being swallowed up by my past, living like my family wanted instead of what I wanted.

“Talie?” My sister’s voice filtered through the door.

I pushed off the counter, quickly unlocking the door, and pulling it open. Char was standing near the kitchen island, her glare pointed at Damian’s back as he poured a cup of coffee.Draped on the barstool next to her was a garment bag, with a pair of heels on the floor.

“Char,” I said, crossing the room, pulling her into a hug.

“Your husband thinks I’m going to try to break you out,” she mumbled, loud enough for Damian to hear.

“I knowyou were going to try that,” Damian responded, turning around to look at us. “Natalia is free to do what she wants—after this lunch.”

It didn’t matter. I couldn’t leave without my purse, which was still securely locked in his damn safe.

“You know she never wanted this,” Char snapped, her anger surprising me. She was usually the level-headed one of the two of us.

“Then she shouldn’t have married me five years ago,” he retorted. “I’m the one who had to put on a show for the families about being happily married. That’s done.”

“Not done,” I corrected him, pulling away from Char. “We still have to pretend even if I’m here. Because we’re not some happy couple. We never were, and we never will be.”

Damian’s eyes glittered dangerously as he rounded the counter, tugging me into his chest. I lifted my chin, glaring at him when his gaze met mine.

“Who were you pretending for when you joined me in the shower last night?” he murmured. “You seemed pretty happy to be touching yourself in front of me.”

I could feel Char’s stare on me, but Damian caught my chin in his grasp, forcing my eyes to stay on him.

“I’m still fuckingfuriousthat you stole my money from me,” he said in a low voice as his gaze dropped to my body. “But feel free to steal my clothes whenever you’d like. Pretending or not—I can’t deny how good you look as mine.”

Fuck.This man’s voice was so damn addicting. His confidence had only gotten hotter in the last five years. I wassure his work at the club helped. If he wasn’t Damian Valentin, the man who lied to me all those years ago, he would be the exact kind of guy I’d fall into bed with.

But as alluring as he could be, I knew it was all an act. He wore a mask better than I did in this world, and when he wanted something, he did whatever was needed to get it.

I refused to let him get into my head again. No matter what he said or did.

Char cleared her throat, breaking the tension. “I brought you a dress. And heels.”

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