Stacey:I know you probably hate me. I would hate you. I just want you to know that I never intended this to happen. We’ve been friends for so long, but I always felt like the outsider because you two had a special bond. I guess I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of that bond, but it all fell apart. Derek really loves you, and he feels terrible. I do too.
I don’t bother to text her. I have nothing to say.
Instead, I take a shower, throw on a dress, and wait, hoping that Roderick doesn’t take too long.
After several hours, a knock sounds at the door, and I open it to see a woman I recognize as Roderick’s mother, Irene Branson.
?
Natasha
“Hello,” I say politely.
Irene barges past me, refusing to meet my gaze.
“Ummm…Roderick should be back soon—”
She sneers, then looks to me boldly. “Do you really believe that?”
“He said—”
“He took a private jet and is in New York right now.”
“But—”
“And I’m here to take out the trash. Thank God the temp agency he employed had the good sense to call me and tell me where he was staying.”
The slight is not lost on me, and I turn from the woman, so she can’t see my tears.
“How much to make this all go away?” she says.
“Excuse me? We’re married. You can’t just snap your fingers to make it go away.”
“I have my lawyers working on an annulment. I can’t have you—”
“An annulment? We’ve been married a week. There’s no fraud, and we’ve spent every day in bed.”
“Oh, you’re good. You went from marrying someone else to marrying my son, heir to Branson Innovations. I think there are grounds to fight the validity of the marriage.”
“Bring it!” I challenge.
“If you think you’re going to get a single red cent of our family fortune—think again! Roderick spends our money and has none of his own outside of his salary. At least not yet, and it’s not like he ever will if he doesn’t give up this charade.”
“You mean you’re going to disinherit him because of me?” I say with a furrowed brow.
“Absolutely.”
“God, he’s so much like you. I feel so bad for you all.”
Irene chuckles. “I beg your pardon?Youfeel bad forus?”
“I’ll save you the worry: I don’t want any of your money.”
“That’s preposterous.”
“Is it? I’m a school teacher. Is that the occupation gold diggers go into?”
For the first time since her arrival, she looks confused. “I must admit, I didn’t much understand that.”
