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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
After sitting on the couch for twenty minutes, staring at nothing but thinking about everything, I eventually move after realizing Milton isn’t planning on coming back. I go to the room I was put in the first night I came here. When I woke with bandaged wrists after being strapped down and nearly dying in that black room.
Weirdly, I’d rather be in there than continue going through Milton’s silent treatment.
The only sure thing is dinner at Maxim’s tonight. With that in mind, I open the wardrobe to find it empty, but I knew it would be. Glancing down at the outfit I have on now, I’m sure it’s not dinner-appropriate, and something tells me Maxim won’t like his guests casually dressed.
I flop down on the bed, letting my heels slip off to the floor. The silence reminds me of being back in Grantham Manor while I stare at the ceiling. My chest swells, which surprises me. That I miss it there. I miss Bea and Blue. And Hilary and Peter—
I sigh.
I have no right—they aren’t mine to miss.
There’s a knock on my door, and I sit up. My heart sinks when Lisa walks in carrying black bags—not that I expected it to be Milton, but I was hoping it was. “Afternoon, Miss Adams.”
The last time I saw Lisa, she handed Maxim my contract for him to rip up. Not that she had much choice. She’s like Lucius—only there to follow orders. But I’m still uncomfortable in her presence.
“Mr. Hood wants you to wear this for your dinner with Mr. Koslov tonight.” She lays the bag out on the bed with two other smaller bags. My eyebrows draw together. I’m back to dealing with the messenger?
“Milton couldn’t bring me this himself?” My tone is biting, and while I know she doesn’t deserve it, I can’t help it. Isthishis punishment? Pushing me away and putting a wall back between us?
Pressing her lips together, Lisa nods like she understands. “Mr. Hood is in a phone meeting with a client. I’m sure he would have otherwise.” Folding my arms, I roll my eyes at her automated response. “He’ll come for you at six.”
“Where is he?”
“In his office, just down the hall.” Eyes widening, she grapples with correcting her mistake. “He doesn’t wish to be disturbed.”
My eyebrow rises. “Ibethe doesn’t.”
“Do you need anything? A drink? Snacks, maybe?”
“No.”
Nodding quickly, she looks worried. “It’s three hours until six…if you’re wondering. Plenty of time to get ready—”
“Lisa?”
“Y-Yes?”
My eyes darken. “Go away.”
She can’t get out of the room fast enough, and I don’t feel an ounce of guilt for being rude. Getting off the bed, I follow her out, watching her glide down the hall until she’s gone. I go in the opposite direction, heading for his office, having come across it the last time I searched for him after learning about Anaya.
I’m not sure what I’m doing exactly, but sending Lisa as a means to put distance between us has left a bland taste in my mouth. He can do anything he wants to me—just not this.
Approaching the door that’s open a little, I stop at the sound of his voice.
“She will be returning tomorrow. She should be there. At least I know she can’t go anywhere.” I frown, knowing he’s discussing me. “Yes…I’m aware—” He pauses and then sighs. “No, she won’t be coming here again. Her home tutoring begins next week, and she’ll be busy…Hilary, please… I can’t—” He stops again while I try and process what he’s saying. How I’m not coming to the club again. He’s arranging behind my back and not tellingme. “I appreciate the concern, as I always do, but this needs to end.”
End.
This needs to end.
Stumbling back from the door, I feel like I’ve been punched in the chest. I breathe in and in. I can’t seem to let it out. He wants to end it with me?
Running back to my room, I shove the door closed, wishing I never went to his office. Wishing I never heard him say those words. He’s sending me back to the manor and ending it with me. He got what he wanted, right? He had me, and now he’s leaving me.
Something inside of me breaks. I’m not sure what exactly. It can’t be my heart—that was buried with my baby. Not my soul either. Just something that makes me feel a little numb. The tiny spark of hope Milton dared to put there is dying, and soon it’ll be gone. Just like the rest of me. Until I cease to exist and make everyone’s lives easier because I’m no longer there.
