AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you care about Merrick, you will get yourself out of your engagement and marry him,” he said. “Because Merrick is one heartbreak away from becoming a monster and losing everything we’ve built for the last decade. I won’t let that happen.”
“Caden,” I whispered, my voice thin. “I can’t do that. Merrick will lose the deal with the Cardiffs and I know he needs it.”
“I’ll figure out another way to get those funds,” Caden said.
“Please,” I said. “Stop.”
He released me and stepped back. I brought my cigarette to my shaking lips and inhaled all the way. A buzz blossomed at the base of my skull.
“This is going to end badly if one of you doesn’t make a choice soon,” Caden said, his voice softer.
I turned on my heel, flicking the cigarette at his feet, and ducked inside. I had no idea if he was following me or not, but I didn’t care. I elbowed through the crowd and ran down the hall, jerking open the door to the women’s bathroom.
I stopped short. Adele stood there, texting on her phone. She looked ravishing in a floor length, black gown, diamonds glittering on her ears, her throat, and her wrists.
“Clara,” she said. “I had no idea you were here.”
Wordless, I hugged her. She stiffened in surprise, but when she heard me hiccup, her arms melted around me.
“What’s wrong?”
Tears slipped out, fast and hot. I pulled back, trying to dab my eyes without ruining my makeup. She pressed her mouth together and went to get me a tissue.
“Nothing,” I said. “Just…men.”
She tilted her head. “Osian isn’t here, baby.”
My throat tightened with a fresh sob.
“It’s not Osian,” I whispered.
She took my hand and pulled me into the dressing room off the side of the bathroom and locked the door. Then she took a tissue and dampened it with cold water and I kept still while she dabbed my makeup.
I told her everything. It was stupid, she was the wife of one of Merrick’s colleagues. But somehow I knew I could trust her and this would stay between us women. There were some things that were sacred.
I didn’t leave out a single detail, including the night on the plane. Voice steady, I told her how he had seduced me, how he’d fucked me like he owned every part of me, how he’d left me marked by his desire.
I told her what Caden had said to me on the balcony—that Merrick was one heartbreak from becoming a monster.
“I’ve known Caden for years,” she said. “Don’t take it too personally. He’s just like that.”
“An asshole?”
“Yeah, unfortunately,” she said crisply. “But…listen, baby, Merrick is a good man. And…sometimes good men have dark sides to them.”
“I know,” I whispered.
“He’s a good man who does bad things.”
“I’m trying to wrap my head around that concept,” I said. “I feel like I’m drowning. I spent the last five years thinking he was so gentle and kind.”
She nodded understandingly. “He is, just not how you think.”
“What am I supposed to think?”
She took a deep breath and washed her hands, patting her cheeks with cold water. Then she turned to face me, putting her hands on my shoulders.
“The darker parts of people aren’t the parts to be afraid of,” she said. “It’s the weak men, the ones who won’t accept their darkness, that we should stay away from.”
