Page 19 of The Substitute Fiancée

“If this is what you want to do, go talk to her now,” my brother says. “You have to move fast before Kristel pulls something.”

“You’re right.”

I nod, my heart hammering.

Because my brother is right.

I have to talk to Sam.

A few months. That’s all I’m asking for.

To save my company. To neutralize Kristel.

But will she agree?

7. The Answer

Alexander

I text Sam immediately.

Alexander: Are you free tonight? I need to talk to you.

The reply comes almost instantly.

Sam: Yes, of course. Is everything okay?

I stare at the screen, searching for the right words.

Alexander: Yes. I’ll pick you up at 7. I’m taking you to dinner.

The three dots appear, disappear, then return.

Sam: Okay. See you tonight.

*

Gilles picks me up at my brother’s place and drops me at the penthouse so I can change.

The apartment is silent. Kristel has left traces everywhere: a sweater draped over the back of the couch, a business strategy book on the coffee table, spare clothes in the bedroom, her beauty products in the bathroom. I gather everything that belongs to her and stuff it into a garbage bag I’ll have dropped at her door tomorrow.

I’ve never understood the expression “from love to hate, there’s only one step” so clearly.

Because after the shock and the grief comes the rage.

Rage at having been manipulated.

Rage that she dares threaten me when she should be begging for forgiveness on her knees.

But no. She wants war.

Then war is exactly what she’ll get.

The hot shower loosens my knotted muscles. I close my eyes and, against my will, last night’s image forces itself on me.

Her. Grégoire.

That bed where I’d made love to her so many times.