AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The back of her nape prickled and she slowly twisted to see Mahindar in the doorway. His lips were thin and his eyes glittering. How long had he been standing there?
He stalked forward, his mouth twisting at the sight of her face. Then his gaze held hers and he said hoarsely, “Don’t worry. Everything has been set into motion. You’re leaving tonight.”
She blinked. He was inthatmuch of a hurry to get rid of her? The pain that lanced through her left her dizzy.“I am?”
He nodded stiffly. “My private jet is ready and waiting for you. My people are discreet and won’t mention your injuries. A counsellor will also be arranged back in England along with a sizeable allowance and expense account.”
The backs of her eyes burned. He really couldn’t wait to get rid of her! “Keep your money,” she said flatly. “I don’t want it.”
He crossed his arms. “And I want you to have it.”
What was she? A problem he wanted to wrap up neatly and put away out of sight. That he was able to discard her in another country must be a blessing for him now.
The doctor cleared his throat. “Well, if there is anything else…?”
“That will be all, doctor,” Mahindar said. “Thank you.”
The doctor nodded, his sharp eyes returning to Arabelle. “I hope you feel a whole lot better soon.”
The doctor made a quick getaway and Arabelle was left staring at her husband. That they would soon be divorced and some other woman would become his wife and bear his children sent nausea climbing up her throat while another round of dizziness had the room do a slow spin around her.
Mahindar dragged a hand over his face. “I’m sorry,” he said huskily. Then he added, “For everything.”
Not half as sorry as me.
She pressed a hand to her stomach. “I’m sorry I couldn’t give you what you wanted.”
His face whitened. “That was never my—“
He stepped back and shook his head. “Pack whatever you want to take, clothes, jewelry, shoes. You’re driver will be here shortly.” He looked down at his feet and then back up to her, his voice cracking as he said, “Take care, Arabelle.”
He leaned forward a little, but he didn’t touch her. He jerked back and pivoted away. And he walked away from her.
Right out of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Six months later…
Arabelle smiled as she dropped the manuscript to her desk and rubbed her gritty eyes. The first page had drawn her in, but she’d been cynical enough to know too many stories started off great then spiraled downhill from there. Not this one. It had bestseller written all over it.
She looked out her poky office window, with views of the dull alleyway and its dumpsters. Rain smeared the window and muted the already dreary scene outside, but right then Arabelle didn’t much care.
She looked down at the wedding ring on her finger. But of course it wasn’t there. She’d left her ring on the bathroom vanity where Mahindar would find it. She’d brought nothing with her from that life, except the clothes on her back and the mental scars she hadn’t yet managed to shake.
She’d done everything possible to immerse herself in this life and forget about her old life. And this book was the needle in the haystack she’d been waiting for. That she’d already discovered two other bestselling books, one of which was in negotiations for a movie deal, was beyond thrilling.
And she’d done it all without anyone’s help.
Scott had of course heard through the grapevine she was back and had offered her a job at his father’s publishing house. She’d refused. She never wanted to be dependent on a man.
This publishing house might be boutique, but it was growing fast with many authors hoping to join their team. She was excited to be along for the ride.
She leaned back and stretched, then checked her cellphone.Shit.Where had the time gone? Her mother was waiting for her. Arabelle should have met her ten minutes ago for a coffee and lunch.
She sent her a quick text.I’m on my way.
After sticking the manuscript in the top drawer of her desk—she was a junior editor with a knack for finding literary gold, she couldn’t be too careful—she snatched up her purse and coat and hurried out of her office toward the elevator, giving her co-workers a wave on the way out.
