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Call me honey. I’m going out of my mind here.
With a sigh, I scroll through the ones from my best friend.
Clarice
Hey, babe. You missed a great night. Oscar Mahoney was in town, and guess where I woke up? Call me for the juicy details.
Clarice
Are you still sleeping? Man, that migraine must have sucked.
Clarice
Make sure you’re at brunch today. I’ve got so much to tell you.
I laugh to myself when I picture the expression on her face if I told her what happened regarding my night. She wouldn’t believe it because Abigail Kensington is the model child.
If anything, I am invigorated and have never felt so alive. I’m a woman now and make my own choices and if Jefferson thinks I’m ever going to take his shit, he’s got another thing coming.
Somehow, I haul my ass into the shower and cleanse away my sins under the hot steamy water and soap them away with the finest products. I should feel dirty. I should be scrubbing my shame away, but instead I’m basking in it. I love the new me. The confident woman who takes no shit. Not anymore because I’ve learned I have choices, and it’s up to me to make them count.
I change into my usual Sunday best. A smart dress for church that will be acceptable for brunch. I normally accompany my parents to Seagrasses, where we meet up with Jefferson and his family. Clarice is usually there with her family, so it will be an interesting one today.
As I head downstairs, I leave all my texts unanswered. What would I say anyway?
My parents are waiting impatiently by the door and my mother casts a critical eye over my appearance before nodding. “I suppose you will have to do. Come, we’re five minutes late already. Shape up Abigail, tardiness is not an attractive quality.”
Even my mother can’t dull my shine today and I catch my father’s eye as I walk past. He appears thoughtful and as my mother sweeps through the front door, his hand on my arm holds me back and he says in a low voice, “Just so you know, I’m not happy about this.”
“What?” I’m confused, wondering if somehow he can read minds and he sighs.
“Jefferson.”
“What about him?” Now I’m nervous and he exhales sharply. “He’s not good enough for you. He never was.”
“I don’t understand.” I really don’t because as far as I know, my father gave his blessing for our arrangement.
There is something bothering my father. It’s obvious, and he says with a sigh. “I wish things were different, that’s all.”
He nods toward the door, reminding me my mother is waiting and as we exit into the sunshine, I’m left with even more questions. We take up our usual positions in the car and as I settle into my role as the dutiful daughter, something is telling me that today, everything will change.
CHAPTER7
MATTEO
Isit on my terrace at the table set for breakfast. The view of my garden is immeasurable. A stone terrace with steps leading down onto a manicured grass area. Through an arch at the end, a formal garden journeys down to a glittering lake. I have everything money can buy, but I am the poorest man I know because I’m alone. That I’ve always been alone is the saddest fact of all.
When I fell out with my family over a woman, I vowed never to love again. She destroyed us all. Diana came into our lives and tore it apart from the inside. She seduced three brothers and then married their father, who in turn sent us away. I have an uneasy truce with my brothers now, but my sister wasn’t so lucky.
Eliza was left behind and something happened to make her run, resulting in my father hunting her down with a view to bringing her home.
They never made it. They were both blown to pieces on a yacht in Dubai, leaving my stepmother firmly in charge. She had already moved her brother Mario in, and they now sit at the head of the family, intent on only one thing. Taking control and driving us out.
That’s why I need Abigail. She doesn’t know it yet, but Mario has it bad for her. Apparently, she’s the one woman he wanted but never had, and my plan is to wave my new toy in his face to drive a reaction.
It hurts that Diana is in love with him. The fact he’s not really her brother makes a mockery of my father all over again. He trusted her and welcomed Mario into his home, not knowing his new wife was screwing him when his back was turned. Mario and Diana are the worst kind of humans and with my brother’s help, their lives are about to be cut short.
Cesare approaches and I wave my hand to the chair beside me.
