Page 62 of Bought For The Marriage Bed

‘You had better have a very good explanation for your behaviour or I swear to God you will wish you had never been born.’

‘I was going to tell you—’

‘When?’ he barked at her. ‘When were you going to tell me you had deceived me in such a despicable way?’

‘I didn’t do it deliberately—’ she began.

‘Do not lie to me!’ he shouted. ‘You played me for a fool from the start.’ He shoved a hand through his hair and stepped away from her, shaking his head in disbelief. ‘I cannot believe you would stoop so low.’ He turned back to glare at her. ‘Was it worth it? Did you have a good laugh behind my back at how you had tricked me?’

‘No! I—’

‘Damn you, Nina,’ he ground out darkly as he came towards her, his hands clenched by his sides. ‘You made a fool out of me and that I will not forgive.’

‘Marc…please let me explain.’ She twisted her hands in front of her in agitation. ‘I didn’t mean it to go this far. When you arrived at my flat that day I was so concerned you were going to take Georgia away. I had to do something! I didn’t know it would lead to this, I swear I didn’t.’

‘Why did you not come clean when you had the chance?’ he asked. ‘You have strung me along with a web of lies the whole time. You have had numerous opportunities to tell me and yet you did not.’

‘I know! I’m sorry…I was frightened. I thought you wouldn’t let me see Georgia any more. You kept threatening to take her away; I had no choice.’

He gave a disgusted sound at the back of his throat and turned away from her. ‘You must think me the biggest fool, but don’t forget I know that as soon as that money was put in your account you spent it.’

‘I didn’t spend it! I gave it to Nadia as she insist—’

‘You cooked this up together, did you not?’ His eyes grew dark and dangerous.

‘What?’ She looked at him in bewilderment.

He gave a cynical snort. ‘I can see what you have been up to. The twin routine is an old one but effective if played well. And you certainly played it very well, very well indeed. You switched personalities with the blink of an eye.’

‘I’m not proud of what I did but I—’

His venomous look cut her off. ‘Was it fun, Nina? Was it fun making a fool out of me? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you get off on the fact that I could not help myself, that I slept with you in spite of my determination not to?’

‘I never intended sleeping with you. You have to believe that.’

‘I believe nothing of what you say!’ he spat. ‘How can I, after all you have done?’

‘I didn’t mean to hurt you.’

‘Hurt me?’ He gave her an imperious look. ‘You would have to try much harder, Nina, if you wanted to hurt me. I am well used to the perfidious nature of women like you and know how to protect myself.’ He swung away to open the door, indicating he was finished with her. ‘I will give you until midday tomorrow to get out of my house. I will send the divorce papers to you as soon as you provide me with a forwarding address.’

Nina stared at him, shock rendering her immobile, her legs refusing to take her even one step forward.

‘Did you not hear me?’ he asked.

‘I want to see Georgia regularly,’ she said, trying to keep the tears back.

A tiny nerve pulsed at the corner of his mouth. ‘That will depend entirely on her mother.’

‘Nadia doesn’t care for Georgia. She only cares for herself. She abused her. I know it for a fact. And she’ll do it again just as our mother did.’

‘Your sister is Georgia’s mother and therefore her legal guardian. You have no say in what happens to her.’

‘Nor do you,’ she pointed out.

‘Your sister and I will no doubt come to some mutually satisfying arrangement.’

‘As long as there is plenty of money involved, Nadia will be very satisfied,’ she said bitterly. ‘But you should think twice before you leave her alone with Georgia. She is not to be trusted.’

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