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“You know what’s funny?” Andreas breaks into the conversation. “You tried to tell me you weren’t in love with him, but I knew from the way you reacted to seeing him that first day that was a lie. I pushed for you to tell me the truth, and while you eventually did, I can’t help but realise just how pathetic you are, Natalia.”
“Andreas-”
“You came home for an inheritance you no longer had a right to. You came home to take back what you said was yours. Beckett included, right?” His voice is vicious now. “It took me nearly dying for you to realise that everything you think you’re owed is bullshit, and the man you love?” He chortles on that notion. “Oh, Tally, that man got over you a long time ago.”
That shows how little Andreas knows me.
He’s barely spent time with me, but I’ll allow him to believe I don’t love Natalia enough anymore just to see the way she takes the hit. He’s tearing shreds out of her. Each claw digs a little deeper, but Natalia takes each strike as if it’s not causing her to bleed.
“Stockholm syndrome isn’t a good look on you, Andreas.”
He laughs maniacally at that comment. Clearly, their friendship died when he didn’t.
“Is that your best shot? I just told you the man you still pine for doesn’t love you and that’s the best you can come back at me with?”
Scrutinising the situation, I really look at Natalia. I’m not sure if the expression she’s wearing is because of the car crash days earlier or because she just got a dressing down by someone she confided in for years. She’s trying to keep herself stoic, weather this storm like she has so many times before, but she’s breaking.
Rather than torture her more, I break the moment up. “I think you should admit defeat. He knows you better than even I expected him to, and while I wanted to keep him secret a little while longer, I’m quite pleased with this first interaction between us.”
The air is so tense even a knife wouldn’t be able to cut it without there being some form of casualty.
“What do you say, darling girl? Going to admit defeat now and play nice?”
Slowly, Natalia shakes her head. I had to know she wouldn’t give up over this. Had I hoped? Sure. Had I wished she’d play along properly? Of course.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing,” she says, snatching her hand out of my grip. “But best believe I’ll ruin your life.”
Funny thing is, you can’t ruin what already is.
But what Natalia doesn’t know, Natalia can’t use.
The look in her eye is so full of malicious intent and dark energy I know I’ve only just seen the bare minimum of what she’ll do.
“Get some new material, darling. That line’s getting a little old.”
Her eyes become emblazoned, but she doesn’t utter a single word. Only leaves us.
I look at Sebastian and he has a knowing look on his face because we both know a quiet Natalia Abernathy is not a good thing.
