Page 41 of Vow to Hate You

His loud laugh had me tensing as I leaned against the door, catching my breath.

“I’ll see you in the morning, Natalia,” he yelled through the door, the amusement in his voice putting me on edge.

There was no doubt he was going to pay me back for this, but right now, I didn’t let it bother me. Tonight was too much fun.

CHAPTER 17

talie

I cracked open the door, peering down the hallway. Last night had been fun, but now it was the next day, and I was waiting for Damian to come back for his revenge. I’d been hanging out in the guest room all morning, but I was bored.

Tiptoeing down the hall, I kept an ear out for Damian as I ventured down the stairs, heading to the kitchen. A voice rang out when I reached the foyer.

“Looking for your husband?”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Sylvia. Her dress was exactly the same style as it was every day, except it was an off-white color this time. I suddenly felt underdressed in my black baggy sweatpants and loose t-shirt, but I had no plans to go anywhere today. Since this was now my house too, I planned to live in it comfortably.

“Is he here?” I asked, my eyes darting down the hall.

“He’s at work,” Sylvia informed me. “He leaves at seven sharp every morning.”

I knew his schedule, but was worried he’d taken the day off. I relaxed since I wouldn’t be facing him anytime soon. If he was at his father’s company, then he probably wouldn’t be home until dinner, maybe even later.

“You know, in the three years I’ve worked here, Damian has never ordered seafood.” Sylvia raised an eyebrow. “I always thought he didn’t like it.”

I let out a small laugh. “It’s kind of our thing. He doesn’t eat it unless we’re together.”

She studied me, curiosity flashing in her warm eyes. “Would you like some breakfast?”

“No thanks. I’m just going to grab a cup of coffee,” I answered, following her toward the kitchen. “I’m not much of a breakfast person.”

“Like your husband,” she noted. “Though I think he doesn’t have time to eat.”

“I’m sure his father keeps him busy,” I muttered as I rounded the island to grab a mug.

After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I said goodbye to Sylvia before wandering through the house. I was so damn bored. Keeping my coffee in one hand, I pulled my phone out with the other, staring at the screen for a moment. My pulse thudded as I found the number I was looking for. Taking a deep breath, I hit call, putting it to my ear. It rang a few times before she answered.

“Hi Mom,” I said softly.

“Talie.” She sounded distracted. “You have two boxes of things here. Where would you like me to mail them?”

I brushed off her nonexistent greeting. The friend I’d been traveling with in Thailand shipped my stuff to my mother’s a couple weeks ago when I told her I wouldn’t be coming back. I hadn’t asked my mom to mail them because I’d been hoping I would leave the States again.

“About that.” I strode down the hall as I spoke. “I was hoping you could talk to Dad, and let me come back to finish my internship?—”

Her laugh cut me off. “Let’s not lie to each other. I know you weren’t at an internship. Just like you weren’t at school. I covered for you because it was a way to get back at your father. But that’s over now. You knew it wouldn’t last forever.”

I bit my tongue. “I don’t want to stay here. Please. Damian will agree if you can make sure Dad can’t force me back.”

I had no idea how my husband would react if I left for a second time. But since he didn’t come after me for five years, maybe he didn’t care where I went.

“Listen, Jude—your father—already called me last week.”

My heart stopped. “What?”

“I don’t know. Maybe he had a feeling you would want to leave.” She paused. “I can’t help you again, Talie.”

“But—”

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