Page 108 of The Husband Contract
“I miss you.”
My heart reacts with a lurch and then beats wildly. I hate how he still has this power over me.
“Well, that’s a joke.” I swallow down the irritation clawing at my throat. “Are you trying out your comedy act on me? Because I’m busy. I’m working. I don’t have time to laugh. I have money to make, seeing as all of mine is in offshore accounts.” I laugh sarcastically and feel satisfied when he sighs.
“The house seems empty without you.”
“You can always go out and kidnap someone else. Or marry some other helpless victim. Oh wait, do you have to get divorced from your previous captive first?”
“Willow, can I see you?”
I hesitate before answering. “Why? Is there something you need to tell me that you haven’t already? Anything else you want to accuse me of? Wait, do you think I stole the crown jewels? Or seduced Leonardo DiCaprio and you’re terrified it’s going to ruin your reputation?”
He starts laughing. “Maybeyou’rethe one who needs to be in the comedy show.”
“Maybe. I have a question for you, Sebastian.”
“Anything you want to ask, I’ll answer.”
“Okay. It’s not aboutus, so don’t get excited.”
“How did you know I was excited?” he says smoothly.
I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see me. “Be serious.”
“Iambeing serious.”
“Is Charlotte involved in this? Does she know Louisa? Does she know Sergio?”
“Why do you ask me that?”
“Because she’s in France and suddenly it just clicked. She’s in France. And so are Sergio and Louisa. Louisa gave you my name and my photograph. Where else would she have gotten it? It’s not like I’m some reality TV star or social media influencer. No one knows me.”
He lets out a deep sigh. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. We do think Charlotte is involved. It’s likely she and Louisa have been in some sort of polyamorous relationship with different men, where they con them and rip them off. I don’t know why she used your name, but I’m worried?—”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
“Can I come see you?”
“Look, Sebastian. It’s not personal. I just want to discuss what we can do. Now's not a good time.”
“I don’t have to come today. I can come tomorrow.”
“I have something to do tomorrow,” I say quickly. “I’m sorry, but that’s not going to work.”
“What about the day after tomorrow?”
“That’s fine,” I say reluctantly. “Come up to the bed and breakfast, and we’ll talk.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet, Sebastian. I may forgive you, but I’m not going to forget. But if you have a plan to get back at Charlotte and Sergio and Louisa, I may be down to hear what you have to say.”
“And that’s all I ask.”
“Good. Because that’s all you’re getting.” And with that, I hang up the phone.
Katherine’s eyes are wide and pinned on me, a questioning look on her face.
