Page 126 of I Shouldn't Feel This Way

“Why? I doubt your husband can hear us anyway—and I’m not the one who’s ill, you are! I’ll gladly leave. I don’t want to stay under the same roof as any of you for another second. You’re all damn crazy!”

Vienna marched into the walk-in closet and dragged her suitcase across the hardwood floor, lifting it on top of the bed. She then strode to the dresser in the corner of the room and opened the drawers one by one, grabbing her clothing. “It hurts me that you think I’m deliberately trying to ruin your marriage.” She started to cry.

Vanessa had a miraculous moment of empathy. She realized that she did not want to burn any bridges between her and her sister after witnessing her reaction. “Wait, don’t go. I’m sorry for what I said. I got angry and lost it. We both did.”

Vienna desperately wanted to throw all her things in her suitcase and get out of there, but more than anything, she wanted to prove her sister wrong. She wanted her to believe that she wasn’t crazy, and that she was right about what she saw. She stopped packing, took a deep breath, and faced Vanessa. Losing her temper with fighting words wasn’t the best approach. She knew she had to handle things like a two-faced politician if she was ever going to collect enough evidence as a double agent. She was good at that (when she was able to restrain her anger, of course). The only way to make her sister believe her would be to find proof and capture it—on camera. Vienna didn’t want to leave California on bad terms. She couldn’t let this go.

“I love you, Vanessa,” she said. “You’re my sister, and I want nothing but the best for you. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m still messed up because of what happened with Tom.”

“I love you too, and I don’t want to kick you out of my house. I just want you to understand that Noah’s my husband, and I know him better than anyone else in this world. My marriage is rocky enough as it is. I don’t want things to get worse.”

But she was already risking the destruction of her marriage in so many other ways. Vanessa had a dirty little secret of her own. For the last year, she’d been having an affair with Noah’s best friend, Lewis Crawford.

“Please,” Vanessa began, “just respect me and trust me when I say that you are making a big mistake.”

No, I’m not, but soon you will see,Vienna thought. “You’re right,” she answered dejectedly. “I’m sorry for the hurtful things I said. I didn’t mean them. Forgive me?”

“Of course—we’re family, and you’re my only sister.” Vanessa gave her a hug. “I am sincerely sorry you went through all that in our younger years.”

“It’s okay, it wasn’t your fault. Besides, it’s all in the past now.” She pulled back and looked at her older sibling. “Let’s make these next couple of days really memorable before I go MIA for the next six months.”

Vanessa smiled. “I’ll book us an appointment at the spa first thing in the morning. I think we could both enjoy a day of pampering.”

Vienna was disappointed that her sister did not believe her, but she was confident she would catch Noah and Aria fooling around. She would spy on them until she had the proof she needed. She would be the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

aria

Was I an awful person for feeling a little bummed that Noah didn’t get me a birthday present? I know I had said that I didn’t want anything for my birthday (and I meant it), but I guess I was just expecting … I don’t know.

I should stop whining and be thankful that he kissed me!I thought, getting ready for bed. It was almost 1:30 a.m., and I had enjoyed the evening, despite my reservations at first. Vanessa had given me hundreds of dollars’ worth of gift cards to shop at her favorite boutiques. And those Tiesto tickets from Ryan were an awesome surprise. I was happy my stepmom respected my wishes and didn’t turn the dinner party into a birthday party. I didn’t want a cake, didn’t want to blow out any candles, and didnotwant to open gifts from a bunch of folks that I didn’t even know. It would have been awkward, and I don’t mean that in a rude way, they were all pleasant people. I was just glad the night had not played out like it did on my sixteenth birthday.

I changed into a pair of black shorts and a white crop top before I brushed my teeth and headed to the kitchen. As I walked down the hall, I heard smooth jazz softly playing in the background, and I noticed that the ceiling lights were dimly lit. When I turned the corner, I soon discovered that Noah was sitting by the island, drinking a glass of white wine, all by himself.

“You’re still up?” I asked, feeling my heart palpitate when he looked at me.

“I was putting some food away. Vanessa and Vi were tired so they headed to bed.” His eyes followed me as I moved past him. “You thirsty?”

“Yeah.” I opened the refrigerator and helped myself to a bottle of water.

“Did you enjoy the evening?”

“Which part?” I smirked, sitting across from him on a stool.

Noah let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head before drinking the rest of his wine. “Are you happy that I refrained from throwing you what could have been the most amazing birthday party ever?”

“Totally content.”

“You sure?” He raised an eyebrow.

“I hate birthdays, and I hate birthday parties, they’re so overrated. Call me a birthdayGrinch, I’m not changing my mind.”

“I should be the one to feel that way.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not getting any younger.”

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