I walk straight to her and put my hands on her shoulders. “Baby, you have to know that since the day I married you, there has not been anyone else. No one.”
She looks hopeful, but even after my words, there is still mistrust on her face. She pulls from my grasp. “I can’t do this now.”
“Ellie.”
She shakes her head and walks toward the door, opening it. “Can we do this tomorrow, Robert?”
I want to argue with her. I want to demand that she go home with me, but I recognize that look on her face. She’s already shutting down. She’s not going to talk to me anymore tonight. I had no idea that she thought I was with someone else, but I wasn’t lying to her. I have never, would never, cheat on her. But by that look on her face, I know she’s not listening to me.
“When can I see you again?”
She stutters. “Uh, uh, tomorrow. We’ll go to lunch.”
I start to scowl, and anger etches on her face. I hate going to restaurants. At least ones that aren’t owned by the family. I hold my hands up. “Fine. Lunch. I’ll pick you up at noon.”
She’s about to tell me that she’ll drive, but I’m just as determined as she is, and she knows it.
She gestures for me to go. “Fine. I’ll see you tomorrow at noon.”
I stop in front of her, and she tenses. I hate seeing it, remembering all the times she melted into my touch. I lean down and kiss her forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow, sweet Ellie.”
CHAPTER 3
ELEANOR
He stood me up.
My husband stood me up.
I grab my keys and my phone and head out the door. If Robert can’t spare the time to eat with me, fine. I’ve still gotta eat, and I’m not going to do it sitting alone in my apartment.
I walk down the flight of stairs, and I’m almost to my car when I switch directions and decide to walk to a restaurant down the block. I’m walking fast, anger filling me.
My phone dings again, and I roll my eyes.
I’m sure Robert expects some kind of response, but what is there to say?
I pass by the café and keep walking, needing to release some energy.
Robert sent me a text that something came up. That right there tells me how important I am to him.
Anger makes my pace faster, and before I realize it, I’m in midtown. I’m still in Kingston territory but closer to the Sterlings than I ever wanna be. Up ahead, I see my favorite Italian restaurant. I haven’t eaten there in ages, and as soon as I see the sign, I know that’s where I’m going.
I can hear Robert telling me that it’s a bad idea, but that seems to push me even harder. I’m huffing and puffing by the time I get to the front doors of the restaurant. I look through the window, and I don’t know what I expect to see, but it’s just people enjoying their lunch. I open the heavy doors and request a table for one.
I’m shown to a table by the front windows. I know I should ask to move, maybe to somewhere that isn’t so visible from the street, but instead I sit down and open the menu. I’m being defiant, going against all the family’s rules, but I can’t seem to make myself care right now.
The waiter comes to take my order, and after telling him what I want, I rest my hands in my lap and watch the people passing by outside. I’m completely oblivious to everything around me until all of a sudden I start to feel like someone is watching me.
I glance around the room, but nothing seems off, so I go back to looking out the window.
Then that feeling comes again. I look toward the back of the restaurant, and that’s when I see him. Victor Sterling. My husband’s rival. The man is pure evil, and I know I should get up and walk out of here, but that’s when I see the door being blocked by two men in black suits. Both of them have their gaze set on me.
“Damn,” I mutter.
I try to act unfazed, but the longer I sit here under their scrutiny, the harder it is to stay seated.
When the waiter passes by, I motion for him. “Excuse me. I’ve changed my mind. Can you cancel my order?”
