Page 75 of The Widower
I must’ve looked like an idiot. Yeah, I know.
“Something that doesn’t involve you asking me questions every five seconds. Think you can manage that, or am I overestimating your intelligence?”
Of course. I’m a fool for thinking he’d be civil after last night.
You deserve it, Isabelle. Your naivety is astonishing. That was my brain, putting me back in my place.
“I just asked—”
“Don’t ask! What’s your problem with questions?”
“Why do you treat me like this?What did I ever do to you?”I snapped.
“You’re annoying, Isabelle. That’s what.”
No... no one could possibly be this cold and bitter.This was beyond normal.
“And you’re an—asshole!”
Oops.
I saw it instantly—the way his eyes narrowed, the predatory look of a man ready to strike.
“What did you just say? I don’t think I heard you right.” He took a step closer, stopping inches from me. But if he thought I was about to back down, he was sorely mistaken. I was more than capable of standing up to any man.
“I’m not sure if you have hearing problems, so I’ll repeat it—slowly this time.” I took a deep breath. “You’re an as–sho–le.” I pronounced each syllable clearly. “Did you catch that, or do I need to write it down for you? Maybe draw a little picture?” I added, mocking him the same way he’d done to me more than once.
Colin’s expression said it all—he couldn’t believe I’d just said that. If he’d looked angry before, I didn’t even have a word for what I saw now.
For the first time, I felt afraid.
“Seems like you don’t value your job. Are you asking to be fired?” he said, voice low but dangerous.
For a split second, I almost apologized.But you know what? Screw that. I wasn’t going to let him treat me like garbage.
“If you want to fire me, then do it! Right now!” I shouted. “I don’t have to stay here just because the paycheck’s good! I’m not your punching bag!”
“Watch your mouth, Isabelle…”
“Wait! If you’re gonna fire me, you’re gonna listen first.” I took a breath, trying to steady my voice. “You should spend more time with your son instead of taking your anger out on everyone around you! Believe it or not, people are trying to helpyou. No one’s obligated to deal with your constant bad mood. You’re selfish, and honestly, I doubt you love anyone—or even yourself. Why don’t you take all that rage and turn it into love, give it to your kid, huh? Is that so hard? Because if your goal is to die alone, congratulations—you’re right on track. You’re turning into one of those miserable bastards I’ve seen too many times in my life. And you know what? They all end the same way: either alone or, by some miracle, they pull themselves together—which, in your case, seems pretty damn impossible.”
I don’t remember the last time I’d spoken with that much fury.I was shaking, possessed by something I couldn’t name.
Colin just stared at me, and the look on his face—shock, disbelief—was unlike anything I’d ever seen from him.And though I’d said it all in one breath, regret hit me the second I stopped talking. He could fire me for that.
Not that it would make much difference...
“I’m gonna let that slide,” he said finally, his expression smoothing back to calm, as if nothing had happened.
“Excuse me?”
He couldn’t be serious.
“You heard me. I’ll let it go—must be your time of the month,” he said casually, as if we were discussing the weather.
“Woooow! The mighty Colin actually knows when a woman’s on her period? Now that’s shocking!” I snapped, still fuming.
See? I’m a walking contradiction. I’d just told myself I regretted what I said—and here I was, mocking him again.
