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“Regan, I a to you” The easy confidence in his voice is splintered by indignation that provides another bale when he’s angry
“Oh, I’eneral direction, one eyebrow raised in apathetic curiosity “I didn’t hear you” I resu for an answer
A second later, a black sht about you You are the devil in disguise” he snarls behind me
I sigh loudly at his dramatics before I pick up the phone and turn to face him “What is this about?” I snap
He nods at the phone in my hand “See for yourself, Jezebel”
Those tendrils of trepidation hiss like agitated snakes in aze to the phone and the shield I’d been so sure of crurenade I’d dismissed for a dud, detonates
The headline written in bold red all caps reads, “La femme de Landel montre au monde qui elle est: La Jézabel” The wife of Landel shows the world who she is: Jezebel
It’s splashed over a picture I looked at just thisand tentative hope Me and Stone kissing, his hand graspingthe small ofthe sliver of his profile that the brim of his hat didn’t hide I scan the article and see the words “unknown companion” At least they don’t know it’s him
Amidst the discordant bells of devastation, disbelief, horror, and hu inside my head, is a note of relief But ht of this disaster and I sit on the bed, dazed
“I want you out of my house, faithless woman” Marcel issues his order like a tyrant who expects colitter with the anticipatoryto devour the unfortunate prey trapped in its web and I’ve never been so afraid in my life
But, after years of living with his flagrant infidelity, Marcel’s righteousness spawns rage so ardent, it momentarily overwhelms my fear
I raise lare with one ofanywhere”
His thin-lipped sneer spreads into a malevolent s anywhere But you most certainly are”
Heart-stopping fear steals my breath “No, they wouldn’tyou couldn’t They need me…” My throat throbs with unshed tears of helplessness and fury The phone slips from my hand and lands atthrough my veins like a band of unbroken stallions
The polished tips of his bespoke Aubercy loafers coer to the underside of my chin and lifts my face to his I’m too shell shocked to resist
Disdain draws furrows between his brows, scorn etches grooves around the edges of his lips and he leans forward until I can shly disgraced yourself, me and them, do you think they ant to be with you?”
Oh God My children The thought of theut with an unbearable ache
Atlips curl into a satisfied smile He drops his hand from my chin and takes a step back “You will leave They will stay here And if you tell me who the man is, I will call this newspaper and have them take this article out of circulation This was published at ht in France” He checks the ti thoughtfully “It’s only 2ao away I will spare you the hu what kind of woman you are Just tell round”
Disgust cuts through my apprehension and I find my voice “You would use our children as pawns?”
His eyes narrow in condescending pity, “But, that is exactly what they are, Regan The prenuptial agreened saw to that”