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“What… why are you looking at me like that?”
“When you told me that you and Catherine had a fling at the start of the Season, that was only part of the story, wasn’t it?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You’ve been having an affair with her this whole time, haven’t you?”
It took a moment for Derrick to realise what she had just said. His mouth fell open.
“No. Of course I haven’t!”
“That’s not what Catherine said.”
“And you believed her? She’s stirring up trouble again!”
Ellie swallowed. “But how do I know that? How do I know that you’re telling the truth?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you! You’re my wife!” Derrick reached for her again. “Please, Ellie.”
“I said don’t touch me!”
Her hand hit his face hard, and Derrick felt the sting of the slap as the sound echoed around the room. For a moment, he was frozen in stunned amazement. Ellie had never hit him before, and it was painful. The ringing still in his ears, he stared at her.
“You actually believe her?”
“She was very convincing. And I know you only wanted a wife to stop your mother pestering you.”
“How do those two connect?”
Ellie was breathing heavily. She looked close to tears again.
“You wanted a wife to give you heirs. I can handle that. I understand that this wasn’t a loving match. But the least you can do is be faithful to me.”
“I have been faithful to you!”
“I don’t know what to believe!” she shouted back. “How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“Have I lied to you before?”
Ellie faltered. Then her eyes narrowed. “When you went away for ‘business,’ was it really business? Or were you seeing her?”
“Is that what she told you? Ellie, she’s a married woman! And I’m committed to you!” Derrick gestured at her. “I wouldn’t have gone to bed with you if I wasn’t.”
“You would if you needed heirs. As your wife, that’s my duty.”
She sounded wooden, almost like she had given up. Derrick felt his heart sinking. She was pulling away from him, he could feel it. She actually believed what Catherine was saying. If she didn’t believe it, there were enough doubts planted for things to wobble in her confidence. Catherine really had managed to shake Ellie’s foundations.
“Please, Ellie…” He tried to reach for her hand, but she slapped it away.
“Don’t touch me!”
“We need to sit down and talk. I don’t want you to think that this is happening.”
“So you can lie your way out of it?”
Derrick flinched. “You believe all of what Catherine said?”
“I told you I don’t know what to believe! Do you think talking to you is going to make things any better?” Ellie held up her hands. “I’m going back to my father. I’ll stay with him for a while before I can figure out what to do. Having that woman so close by and you right in front of me doesn’t give me the space I need. It’s best that I go.”
