Page 38 of Miss Treated

I would never tell him I’d left in order to save myself. He’d reduced me to such a low I’d done something I still couldn’t talk about. He’d revel in it. How fucked up was that? To realize someone who supposedly loved you would celebrate the extinguishing of your light.

But I wasn’t at rock bottom any longer. I’d built myself back up over the past few months and recognized Joel for what he was. A narcissist. A man who couldn’t stand to lose or be wrong. And this was why he was here. Because he couldn’t fathom how I’d been able to ignore him—and thereby win the fight.

“You didn’t love me, you tried to control me. But no longer. You can leave now.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do!” he shouted.

I’d never physically feared Joel because his tactics were always manipulative and mental, but in this moment, internal alarms were sounding. He was angrier than I’d ever seen him.

“What’s going on here?”

I heard Dominic’s voice before gratefully seeing him come up behind my ex.

“I was telling Joel that you would return any moment. I also made it clear he should leave.”

“I picked up a bottle of sparkling water, babe.” Dominic held up the large bottle in his hand.

Although I cringed at the pet name Joel had always used for me, I knew exactly why Dominic chose it. He was establishing I was no longer Joel’s babe.

“You need help leaving, Joe?”

My ex’s face was beet red. “It’s Joel, and this is between us.”

Dominic shook his head. “There is no us, Joe. She’s moved on, and it’s time for you to take the hint before I have to smash it into your face.”

There was no doubt Dominic was ready to throw a punch. His fist was clenched and his stance prepared.

“Honey, he’s not worth it,” I cajoled.

I had the satisfaction of seeing Joel flinch at the term of endearment.

“This isn’t over,” he vowed, stalking off.

Dominic stood there watching him until he disappeared. Once we stepped into the room and closed the door behind us, he spoke first. “Get your stuff. You’re leaving.”

“What?”

His expression softened. “You can’t stay here, Kels. He knows where your room is, and he’s angry.”

God, he was right. I couldn’t stay here.

I quickly packed my things. Once I had everything, he took my suitcase and led me to the stairs instead of the elevator. We went up one flight and made our way to his room. Once we were inside, I eyed the phone. “I’ll call down and get another room.”

“Given his temper, I’d feel better if you stay here with me. I can take the couch.”

Although it was a roomy couch, I wouldn’t dream of it. “Dominic, I can’t ask you—”

He stepped close, lifting my chin with his thumb. “You’re not asking. I’m insisting. This way we both get a good night’s sleep. How about I run you a hot bath? Pour you some of your sparkling water.”

“You came to give me sparkling water?”

He dropped his hand and stepped back to grab a glass. “It was an excuse to check on you. I knew you didn’t want company, but I couldn’t shake a weird feeling. Guess now I know why.”

Thank goodness he’d shown up. “It wasn’t that I didn’t want your company, more like I wasn’t fit for company.”

He nodded. “Why don’t you get your things ready for a bath, and I’ll pour you some water? Or if you prefer something stronger, I can dig up some liquor or wine from the minibar.”

“Water would be best.” Dammit, he seemed distant now. He was probably disappointed in what he’d found under the surface. See, this was why I hadn’t wanted to get closer. I didn’t want people to see Kelsey under construction. I wanted them to get the overhauled, new and improved version.