AllFreeNovel
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If I had the means, I would take his father down myself. Maybe kick him in the shin or something because I am only five and a half feet tall and weigh a buck-twenty. How awful can a parent be? And to his only son. My parents have always been a shade closer to crazy, but they’ve always shown me love. I’ve never felt anything less. Alfred Monroe is a cruel man, and I hope he gets what’s coming to him. I just pray Theo walks away unscathed.
All these thoughts about Theo and business remind me that I currently have no job. Something that’s needed in the world today. Yes, my boyfriend is rich beyond belief, but I need to support myself. I don’t want Theo to think I’m relying completely on him. I want to show him I’m an independent woman. Established and confident. Also jobless. But then again, he did fire me. Or wait. . . I quit. Either way, I need to find a job. Maybe that’s what I’ll do today. Job search. The question is, where do I start?
The thought of getting another assistant job makes my skin itch. The only reason I stuck it out at MIC was because of the eye candy. I wish I could get thrown back into a kitchen and create beautiful dishes of perfection.
With nothing else to do, I get up and seize the day. I jump out of bed in search of my phone. I should probably call my mom and let her know things are back on track with Theo.
I hear the sound of the front door opening from the bedroom, and my smile widens. Iknewhe couldn’t stay away. I forgo pants and skip down the hall, ready to seduce him. I turn the corner, and my feet stutter to a stop.
“How did you get in here?”
Alana Hill is standing in Theo’s foyer. She eyes my choice of clothing, or lack thereof, then responds. “My key. How else?”
A woman Theo claims to have zero relationship with has a key? “You’re not wanted here, so you can leave that key and get the hell out.” I sound tough, but inside I’m shaking like a leaf.
“Wow, you have quite the mouth on you.” She looks around as if waiting for Theo to walk out. “Is Theo here? I can’t fathom him leaving you here alone. To steal something, I’m sure.”
I take a step toward her. “Excuseme?”
She waves her dainty hand. “So feisty. It’s cute that you act like you belong here.”
“You mean howyouthink you belong here?”
She adjusts the designer purse on her wrist. “Please. I know bottom feeders like you. You attach yourself to a wealthy man and offer yourservicesin hopes he’ll give you the world. Hate to break it to you, darling, but he won’t.”
“You know nothing about Theo and me. You’re just bitter because he never chose you.”
Her sinister laugh echoes through the penthouse. “Is that what you think? Honey, he will always choose me. You’re not the first toy he’s brought home, and you won’t be the last. A man like Theo Monroe doesn’t settle down. He uses women until he’s bored. He may be fascinated by whatever he sees in you now, but it will end. Maybe it’s the impoverished girl with nothing to her name that entices him. Theo has always had strange tastes.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, refusing to let her see that her words affect me, and she takes a step toward me. “I’m only saying this to protect you. Theo can be quite captivating. It’s why it hurts so bad when he walks away. And he will.”
I scoff and roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest in dismissal. “You’re just saying this to bait me. Nice try.”
Another step closer. “Fable—that is your name, isn’t it? What’s happening between our families is bigger than you. Hear me when I say you’re just another pawn in Theo’s game.”
I stand straighter, even though my heart is hammering in my chest. “You’rethe one who doesn’t realize. You two were a contract—a business deal. You need to wake up and realize he doesn’t want you. He never has. And these games? You’re the only one playing them. So, if you’re done—”
“Oh, is that what he’s led you to believe? Such a naive little girl.” She attempts to touch my cheek, but I swat her hand away. “Yes, we started off as that. But you can’t deny attraction. And that’s what ultimately led us to where we are. We all agreed to this deal, Theo included. I wouldn’t be pregnant with his child if he hadn’t.”
My vision blurs, and the world tilts, but I shake it off, standing my ground. “If you think I’m going to fall for that lie—”
“I don’t need you to. The proof will come to light soon enough. Do yourself a favor and walk away. You’ll thank me in the end.”
“I think I’ll take my chances, beingnaiveand all.”
“But aren’t you?”
“What?”
“Well, you’re here. . . in his place, doing what he says. . .”
“I’m here because I choose to be.”
She rubs her hands over her belly. “I’m sure you do.” Her vile smile leaves chills down my spine. She turns and makes her way back to the door. “Tell Theo I came over. We’ll reschedule our visit.” She opens the door and walks out.
My heart threatens to beat out of my chest as I take deep gulps of air. She’s lying. But would she go so far as to lie about a baby? My stomach bottoms out, and I grab at my torso. “Stop,” I hiss. This is what she wants. I need to trust Theo. I spin around, racing back to the bedroom for my phone. Finding it on the nightstand, I shake as I unlock my screen and dial his number.
The phone rings and rings. “Come on.”
