Chapter 2
She totally snitched on me. Damon stormed in just as I was packing my stuff, looking absolutely livid.]
“Seraphina, what the hell is wrong with you?! Why’d you hit her?! If you’ve got a problem, take it out on me! What kind of coward picks on someone weaker?“]
1 stopped folding clothes and looked up at him, my anger hitting the ceiling.
Without hesitation. I slapped him across the face.
Damon just stood there stunned, like he couldn’t believe I’d actually done 11.]
Makes sense – he’d always pegged me as this sweet, gentle girlfriend who wouldn’t even raise her voice during arguments.
Seeing me get physical probably broke his brain a little.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?!”]
His voice cracked as he yelled, eyebrows scrunched together in pure rage.]
He was staring me down like I’d completely lost my mind.
I met his glare head–on, feeling absolutely dead inside:
“I’m going crazy doing you a favor.”
That just pissed him off more. He ran his hands through his hair and looked away, trying to calm himself down.
“She’s just a sales associate! Why would you hit her?!”
“Don’t you realize how important a girl’s face is to her?!]
“If she presses charges, that slap’s gonna cost you at least a hundred grandr
“Then let her call the cops!”
Damon’s expression got even darker, like I was being completely unreasonable.]]
“I’m so done with this bullshit“]
“Seraphinia, you’ve totally lost it“]
After that, he slammed the door on his way out.
I thought I was handling this pretty well, but tears started streaming down my face anyway.
The guy who used to worry about my mood every time I wasn’t smiling had finally shown his true colors.]
After seven years in our shared apartment, all I could take was one suitcase of clothes.]
Before leaving. I took one last look at the place I’d spent seven years decorating and making into a home. I figured Chloe would do me a favor and erase every trace of me anyway.
Might as well let her work herself into a rage doing it.
Then I moved into the little house I’d bought a couple years back.
This place would always be mine and mine alone. No one could ever make me pack my bags and leave here.[]
Just as I started settling in, my phone rang. The caller ID showed Thaddeus Montgomery.]
“Seraphina, I just woke up and saw your message. I’m overseas right now.”
“Sorry about the delayed response–time zone differences and all.”
I could practically hear him bouncing off the walls with excitement through the phone.[]
“it’s fine.”
“Did
you really mean it? Are you saying you want to go through with our ten–year pact? You know, if we’re both still single, we get married?‘
Thaddeus sounded like he needed confirmation.[]
“Yes.“]
No hesitation whatsoever.
He actually laughed out loud: “I’ve got about two more months of work here, but the second I’m done, I’m flying straight back to marry you. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect.”
Thaddeus was practically giggling as we talked for the longest time.]
He only hung up when some urgent work thing came up.]
Right after we ended the call, I got a bank alert. Someone had transferred a hundred thousand out of my account.]
Only one person knew all my passwords Damon. We’d never kept financial secrets from each other before.[]
So I immediately called him:[]
“Why the hell did you take my money?”
“You slapped Chloe. That hundred grand is her compensation.”
Tknow you’re never go
consequences!”
gonna apologize to her, but she shouldn’t have to take a hit from you for free. You need to face some
“I’m actually looking out for you here. If she pressed charges, you’d be the one looking like trash.”
Damon was acting like this was totally reasonable. That’s when I heard Chloe’s voice purring in the background:[]
“Just finished my shower, babe! Nurse outfit or schoolgirl costume – what’s your preference tonight?”
He hung up so fast it was pathetic.]
I was shaking with rage for a full minute before texting him:]
“You’ve got 24 hours to put that money back, or I’m calling the cops!“]
