Holding my hand in his, his thumb caressed the skin of my fingers, staring at our hands together as he sighed, in a relieved way. Then, he lifted his sultry eyes to meet mine, making me bite the inside of my cheeks. It’s weird how many times I’ve fell for that look, the innocent look he holds up each time he tries to get me to forgive him after cheating on me again, and again, and again.
Like a fool, I always believed him. He revered that. He was no doubt smiled behind my back each time I took him in like an idiot, believing that he wouldn’t have done that to me, that it was always a coincidence he came home reeking of another lady’s perfume, or having lipstick on his shirt.
“Isa…” Just like that, he would call my name, and I would melt, my anger dissipating. “I didn’t want you to suffer because of my financial situation.” He said, using that as his excuse this time around. I kept my lips shut, allowing him to believe he has me right where he wanted me to be. That I was about to cower just like those other times.
It was obvious from how his face lifted slightly that he genuinely believed so. “Dad has been sick as well, and mom wasn’t in the right mental space that’s why she’s been a little harsh with you.” A little harsh? Oh, wow. “But you know she’d never do that to you intentionally. She loves you, my siblings love you. I…” He released a deep breath, his frown deepening. “I love you, Isa. I always have. Let me make it up to you, okay? Give me another chance. Let me right my wrongs.”
My lips slanted into a slow smile, as I took a step closer to him. His eyes followed my every move, hopeful even. I softened my expression, my hand leaving his and reaching upwards to wrap around the back of his neck. He smiled, and leaned down for the kiss he thought he was going to get.
Once his lips were mere inches away from mine, I turned my head around, my mouth aligning with his ear so I can whisper. “Do you want to know what I can’t stand, James?” I inquired softly. “You.” With that, I pulled back, my arms around him as his gaze met mine, stunned. I continued. “Your pathetic self. That’s what I can’t stand.” I said, in the nicest tone I could muster. “You’re stupid, James, you’ve always been. I mean, just look at you.” I tilted my head back, and gave him a onceover, then went ahead to scoff. “You’re the definition of an idiot, James. Can’t you see that?”
Word for word. I repeated those exact same words he said to me the night he thrusted those divorce papers right in my face. I repeated the exact words that stuck to my mind, making me feel worthless for the first few months following our divorce, believing he was right.
The same words that destroyed my self-confidence as a whole. He seemed too stunned to respond for the first few seconds, his eyes dilating as his lips parted. It seemed the words clicked in his mind as well, remembering he was the one that uttered it himself. “Isabella…”
“Don’t.” I took a step back, pulling myself away from him and putting a distance between us, my expression blank. “You have no right to call me that.”
He blinked once, then twice, getting over his initial shock. He suddenly scoffed, looking away as his hands went to his hips. Swiping his tongue across his bottom lip, he met my gaze again. “Wait, are you seriously with Kingston now? Huh? Is that why you’ve changed?”
***
Isabella Montague.
My brows knit together, head tilted to the side slightly. Of all the things I expected him to say, that wasn’t it. I didn’t think he’ll try to bring that up for whatever reason. I won’t lie though, the reaction that the idea brought out of him overjoyed me really.
James’s eyes were narrowed at me in an accusatory manner, staring me down. “You publicly hooked up with him just months after our divorce.” He pointed out, or more like accused.
I arched a brow slowly. “And so?” My tone came out blank, “What’s your point?” What’s the essence of pointing out the obvious? Yes, I hooked up-well, I wouldn’t exactly use the word ‘hook up’ but yes, I got with Kingston publicly just months after our divorce, but in my defense, I did it to get back at this man.
Judging from his reaction, I won that fight alright. However, I just have a feeling I might not like what would come past his lips afterwards, because I already have an inkling of what he’s insinuating, I just want him to say it himself.
He let out a small scoff under his breath, his lips curled into a scowl. “Don’t tell me,” He let out a small, humorless chuckle, attracting the attention of those around us. Intentionally, he increased his voice’s tempo when he added, just so he can taint my name publically. “You were cheating me with him even while we were married? You were so screwing him and cheating on me.”
My hands curled by the side the moment those words escaped his lips. Of course, I know it’s a lie, even he knows he’s just spewing nonsense. However, that he dared to utter that nonsense straight to my face unashamedly, it infuriated me. It’s not even the fact that people were staring at us, staring at me accusatorily as well, already judging what they have no idea but are quick to judge.
I could already see from the corner of my eyes some pulling out their phones and recording this, no doubt so they can spread it across the web and have some dirt on me. But, I didn’t care about them. My attention is rather fixed on the man in front of me.
He didn’t stop there, he carried on. “-You left me for someone richer, really, Isabella? Was I lacking so much despite everything I’ve done for you?” Emotional blackmail and playing the role of the pitiful one, that’s how he’s going about this knowing there are people recording us. “I never thought you’d stoop as low as cheating on me with Kingston though, while we were still married at that. I was so lacking that you had to sell yourself to the man more financially stable. Aren’t your scandalous acts at my home enough? Aren’t you ashamed?”
His words, they sound like they were taken straight out of a dramatic novel, as if he sat down and carefully orchestrated just so the people will have something to write about in the news.
And what did he just say about a scandalous act at his home? Instantly, a thought crossed my mind, the video Alex sent to me, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t taken aback. He couldn’t have been the one behind it, right? As my startled eyes lifted upwards to meet his, and see the look in his orbs, I knew my thoughts have just been confirmed. I could’ve sworn the breath got knocked out my lungs right then and there.
He even vocalized it as he took a step closer to me, and too stunned by the sudden realization, I couldn’t even pull away. He leaned close to my ear and then whispered. “You stupid bitch,” He cursed. “You think you’re all that because you’re rich, huh? You think you can screw me with that?” He chuckled menacingly. “Let’s see if you can inherit the fortune you feel all high and mighty because of. As long as I’m around, believe me, I’ll make sure to drag you down to hell with me.” His words, they didn’t sound like just a threat, it was a promise.
He then pulled back, and offered a smirk for a split second before he recovered his pitiful attitude to earn the sympathy of the public. I could only stare at him in disbelief, realizing just how bad this man is. How come I never noticed it before? I couldn’t stand and hear that anymore, not when I have something better to do than to sit and be on the receiving end of his attack. He wants me to sway, and lose guard.
I admit, I’m internally breaking down but I refuse to let him have the upper hand.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.