Page 101 of Unwritten Rules

He rises, facing me with a smug grin on his generous lips – lips that had been on mine only hours previously.

“Mila, love. What a pleasure it is to meet you in this capacity.”

His eyes rove across my face and down each and every curve of my body, making me want to cover myself with my arms despite being fully clothed. I feel naked and exposed under his openly hungry gaze.

He leans forward, making a show of embracing my shocked body, and his mouth ghosts across my ear, sending a shiver of repulsion from my head to my toes as I fight the urge to throw up once more.

“Your secret is safe with me, little Star.”

* * *

“Mila? Are you even fucking listening?”

My mother’s rant draws me from my reverie, and my stomach churns uncomfortably, knowing what I need to do, but wanting to be anywhere but here in this moment.

“Yes, Mum. I am. Sorry, I just need to talk to you quickly, okay?”

She rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Darling, did you hear a word I said?”

I bite my lip, ready to unleash the truth and blow her world apart, when she smiles brightly, her eyes shining as she pulls the rug clear out from under me.

“I said, how do you feel about becoming a big sister?”

* * *

“Could you please ask Roland to prepare my car, Wetherby?”

“Of course, Mila. For the morning, is it?”

I shake my head quickly, anxious to get the fuck away from everyone and everything as fast as I humanly can.

“No. I need it as soon as possible.” I step around the old butler who has been so kind to me to make for the stairs.

“Of course, dear. May I just say the Met Office has an orange weather warning in place for tonight throughout the county? Might I suggest perhaps sleeping on it—”

I spin around, tears spilling from my eyes unheeded, and I can’t find it in me to care right now.

Everything is falling apart.

I’d left my mother at the foot of the library steps when I’d spotted a passing cab, paying an exorbitant price to hotfoot it back to Hawthorne House.

I can’t face Nate. He’ll see through me. He’ll know when he brings up the fact that I’d not mentioned my mother’s new fiancé that he’s the man I’d slept with.

Ran from.

The almost married man who I should have named before now but instead had chosen to ignore like it had never happened.

But now, after tonight’s revelations, I’m incapable of witnessing the judgement on his handsome face.

Or worse. The disappointment.

“Tonight, Wetherby. Thank you.”

Gathering my skirt, I race up the staircase to Nate’s suite and quickly toss everything I need into one of my suitcases, leaving behind most of the crap I’d brought.

When Roland knocks at the door less than five minutes later, I’m ready and waiting. I’ve taken the time to discard my beautiful silver gown and replace it with a plain white t-shirt midi dress underneath a cropped denim jacket and my usual Converse.

He takes my bag with nary a word, shooting me a shy smile before I follow him down the stairs, taking one final look around the house that has been a sanctuary to me in my time of need.