Chapter 33
Theadora
CarolineLovechilderemindedme of cold version of Nigella Lawson. Wearing a green figure-hugging sheath, Declan’s mother even dressed like the guru chef. Her dark, shoulder-length hair, without a strand out of place, was like a thick sheet of silk, while an impeccable makeup job highlighted a flawless milky complexion.
Her cold, scrutinising stare had me on my seat’s edge.
She passed me an envelope. “I have to let you go. In there, you’ll find a generous amount. It should set you up and help you finish your course. There’s a legal document for you to sign, stipulating that you move away from Bridesmere. Legal ramifications apply if you fail to comply.”
“You’re sacking me?” My forehead scrunched.
She crossed her arms. “I believe you’re attending Hildersten. I’m sure you can arrange a transfer to a London equivalent.”
It felt like someone squeezed the life out of my shoulders.
Her long, red-painted fingernails pointed down at the envelope. “Open it.”
My hands trembled as I tore open the envelope. A check for one hundred thousand pounds fell out.
My eyeballs bulged. “That’s a lot of money.”
“It’s very generous, yes. It’s yours to do as you wish. But you must leave Bridesmere for good. And never talk to my son again.”
My body froze. Leave Declan?
“I’m doing you a favour.” She wore a cool smile. “He’s not a stayer. After he’s had enough of you, he’ll toss you away. He’s going to be one of England’s richest one day. A man like that has no future with a woman like you. Especially with your background.”
“My background?” I shrilled. Taking a deep breath, I composed myself before adding, “My mother’s very wealthy, I’ll have you know. She’s not as wealthy as you, of course. Not many are. But I was raised in Kensington. I went to a public school.”
“Good. Then you’ll have no problems readjusting to life in London or wherever you go. Only not Bridesmere. Not here. Ever.”
Ever?
Declan was my lover. My boyfriend. We’d held hands in the village. He’d even kissed me in public.
I looked her in the eyes, refusing to allow this woman to intimidate me. Caroline Lovechilde was no different to my cold, entitled mother. “And if I say ‘no’?”
“Then you’re being childish. Declan will never marry you. He’s broken a lot of hearts.”
My body froze. “He’s told me everything.”
“Oh, really. You know about Jasmine?”
I nodded. I didn’t really. When I’d asked Declan about her, he intoxicated me with a deep, hungry tongue kiss. Those hot lips always made my brain melt, and the past, let alone the next day, dissolved into non-existence.
“There’s also these.” She tossed me a manila envelope.
“Open it. This is what awaits you if you don’t do as I say.”
I stared at her and she’d turned ugly.
I opened the envelope and a bunch of photos stared back at me.
The first showed a woman with long dark hair in a corset sitting on a man’s lap. It got worse. The next image showed the same woman on her knees with a dick in her mouth.
Acid splashed away in my stomach.
They were back shots. And although she had the same hair, it wasn’t me. Declan’s was the first dick I’d ever put in my mouth. Something I wasn’t about to divulge to his mother.