Page 18 of Bloodstained Wings

The woman in the front steps forward, her hair bright red like fire. “It’s okay, dear. We tend to pop by unexpectedly. We didn’t anticipate that you would be ready for us.”

“Oh, I meant the house, too,” I say. “I didn’t know that we were moving until this morning. Carter told me he bought this place, and now—”

“Anita,” the woman gushes, looking at Carter’s aunt like I insulted her. “You didn’t tell me this was Carter’s new girl. Ugh, I swear. You should have just started with that.” She turns her button nose back toward me for now. “You’re a lucky gal. I tried setting my niece up with him ages ago, but he turned her down. Something about blondes, I think.”

My stomach cramps more with her attempt at small talk.

“Yes, well. Thank you all for coming, but I should get back to getting things set up.”

The woman cackles with laughter, the sound echoing through the empty house. “Oh, dear. You have movers to do that. Why would you want to worry yourself with it.”

I stammer to reply, my words stuck in my throat. “I just want… Everything needs to be organized, and…”

Anita steps in to save my life. “She just wants to get settled, Rebecca. That’s all.”

Her smile goes from friendly to downright disgusted in a matter of milliseconds. “I see. I was just hoping to grab lunch together with the new lady on the block, but I can see you’re both busy. Besides, I doubt you’d be interested in going out to Gianni’s dressed like that.”

My throat closes, and I wince.

The women behind her find the remark funny and chuckle under their breaths.

When it’s clear that I’ve been somewhat slighted by her barging in and passing judgment, she smiles and waves her hand through the air between us. “Don’t be upset, dear. It’s just a joke. Lighten up. I’m sure you have a lot to work with under those sweats. It landed you a billionaire, right?”

She turns on her heels before I can even comprehend what she just said. Her posse follows, and Anita balls her fists like she’s going to throw down at any second. I lean on the kitchen island for a moment, needing to catch my breath. The world stops turning long enough for me to realize two things.

First, people in this neighborhood already think I’m a worthless, penniless gold digger. And secondly, I apparently can’t wear these shorts ever again, not without that insult ringing through my mind.

Anita gives me a deep look of pity, but I brush it off.

“They seem nice.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry about that, dear. I didn’t think she would be so snobbish and insulting. They’re really nice women, I promise. You just need to get to know them better.”

Tucking my hair behind my ear, I try to agree for now. “Okay, I trust you. Maybe we can meet up with them another day.”

“Sounds good to me,” she sighs. “Now, let’s get these movers in here. I already know where I want the couch and the coffee table.”

“Good,” I reply simply, still feeling overwhelmed by that simple interaction. “I’m going to give you the floor to boss everyone around. I think I just need a break for now.”

Her smile turns sympathetic. “Oh, Isabella. It’s going to be okay. Go back to my place and take some time for yourself. I can handle everything here.”

“It’s fine, really. I’m okay. I’m just going to be in the master suite upstairs, that’s all.”

I leave her before she can talk me out of it. I just want to take a breathing break so my heart doesn’t feel like it’s in my stomach. Without anywhere to sit in the main bedroom, I round the corner and walk into the vast bathroom. The shower wall is covered in jets, but it’s not as stunning as the bathtub that stands alone in the middle of the floor.

Climbing inside the space, I feel so small in this tub. I curl my legs into my stomach, hold my knees tight, and feel the tears brim against my eyelids. The last thing I wanted by being with Carter was for everyone to think I was just his live-in prostitute.

We’ve been to hell and back, and people still consider us to just be lousy roommates who fuck, while apparently, I spend his money. I don’t need to be looked at as a pathetic slut in a big house, but how can I convince the neighbors that’s not what I am?

I’m wearing baggy sweats, for crying out loud!

I push their comments aside, but I can’t force myself to get out of the tub. I want to disappear for a while, drowning in the spitefulness of their judgment and just basking in the reality of their words. I’m going to be a feckless housewife for the rest of my life.

They will be my only friends, mostly because Sam refuses to take my calls, and my father thinks the nurses are neighbors. Carter is the only life jacket I have these days, and I just advocated for him to go back to work to give me a bit of independence.

I miss him dearly, but I can’t bother him while he’s working. I just hope he’s starting to get back into his old groove again.

Light steps ring out against the tile after some time has passed. I peer up over the edge of the tub, tears sliding down my flushed cheeks while my itchy and wet eyes weep relentlessly. Carter circles the wall, his bright, cyan irises colder than ice as they fall over me.

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