Page 35 of Vow to Hate You

“I defied my dad,” she whispered as she stared out the window. “I applied for college behind his back. When that didn’t work, I left town.”

My fingers tightened on the wheel. “And the reason you were able to stay overseas?”

“Because my mom?—”

“No,” I cut her off, my voice sharp. “Because I didn’t make a fuss. I acted like it was what we wanted. Do you know how furious my father was? All I had to do was bring up concern about you being away, and you would have been dragged back tome. I kept up the charade so you could stay away. After you stole my money.”

Silence filled the car before she finally asked, “Why didn’t you force me back?”

Before I could answer, my phone began ringing, the noise echoing through the car because of the Bluetooth connection. My father’s name popped up on the screen, and after glancing at Talie, I answered the call.

I’d rather talk to my dick of a dad than rehash the past with her, anyway.

CHAPTER 14

talie

“Finally,” I mumbled once Damian turned into a long driveway. Tall trees lined the dark pavement, making the house not visible from the road.

The car ride felt like it had lasted hours, and it put me in a bad mood because the past had swallowed me. After Damian had talked to his father, the rest of the ride was silent. I wasn’t happy about being back in Connecticut, but I couldn’t wait to get out of this car.

“Welcome home,” Damian muttered once the house came into view.

As I expected, the house was huge. But the design and color had me in a chokehold when he parked in front of the two-door garage. My heart leaped into my throat as my eyes swept over the exterior.

It was a beautiful home. White brick. Tall arched windows. One side was higher and pointy, with a sloped roof. It was warm and inviting. Exactly how I remembered it as a child.

“You bought this?” I asked hoarsely.

He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. “That had always been the plan.”

It had been. But after I left, I didn’t think he’d do anything we’d talked about. I grew up fantasizing about living in this house. This city was full of mansions, but this one was the only one I wanted.

He cleared his throat. “I bought it before we got married. I was going to surprise you after the wedding…but we both know how that ended.”

That made more sense. He did it before I left. Back when we were still friends, when I still believed he wasn’t like all the other men here.

Damian opened his door, stepping out, and I hurriedly did the same. I followed him, peering at the gorgeous flower beds as he unlocked the door.

“The staff has the weekend off,” he informed me as we stepped inside. “But they all live here, so if you need help, you can find Sylvia. She manages everything.”

“I can’t ask you?” I asked snidely.

“Did you not hear my dad on the phone? I have to go meet with him.”

I whipped my head to the side, catching sight of an older lady who was crossing the foyer.

“I’ll be back for dinner.” Damian’s voice was back to normal, meaning he realized we weren’t alone anymore. “Have a good day, Talie.”

He strode back out the door without so much as a glance at me. I stared after him for a few seconds before spinning around to find the woman I’d seen. I left the foyer, peering into the grand dining room before moving past it and finding myself in the kitchen.

The woman was pouring herself a cup of tea as I inspected the room, hating how I loved it so much. Like the exterior, it was cozy and warm. Wide windows lined the entire back wall, letting in the morning sun. The cabinets were a deep chocolate brown,and the counters were white marble. The appliances looked brand new, and it had everything a person who loved cooking needed.

Which would never be me. I didn’t cook. I had lived off cheap take out for the last five years. Damian was aware I didn’t enjoy cooking.

“You must be Natalia.”

My eyes darted back to the woman, who was giving me a warm smile. She looked to be in her sixties, and I instantly felt at home around her. Her gray hair was shorter, curling around her ears. Her soft brown eyes studied me curiously as I ventured further into the kitchen. She was wearing a blue dress which fell past her knees, and even though Damian had said staff had the weekends off, she had a white apron tied around her waist.

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