Chapter 11
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Colette’s hands trembled slightly as she accepted the bag, her heart pounding with disbelief and anger. “What is this?” she asked, her tone sharp and bitter as she examined the pharmacy’s packaging.
Iris shrugged indifferently, as if discussing the weather. ‘Matt said your birth control cycle is almost over. He was worried you might forget, unintentionally or otherwise,” she continued callously. “So, he asked me to pick up the oral contraceptives for you. He never did like condoms.”
Colette felt a surge of humiliation and fury. The implication was clear–Matt’s disregard for their intimacy cut deeper than she had imagined. “Don’t forget to take them, darling,” Iris added with mock concern, her voice dripping with spite. “Otherwise, you might lose him before your time’s up! Anyway, I should get back. Matt must be waiting for me.”
The words struck like daggers. Colette’s restraint snapped. “How dare you! How dare you speak to me like that?!” Her voice cracked with rage, eyes blazing with liquid fire as she confronted Iris head–on. ‘You have no right!”
Iris’s smirk faltered for a split second, a flicker of surprise crossing her cold demeanor. “Oh, darling, don’t be so sensitive, she retorted, her voice taking on
a condescending edge. “It’s not personal. You’re not Matt’s first… woman,” she sneered, emphasizing the word with a bitterness that stung. Tve always been
there to assist with his… arrangements.”
Colette couldn’t contain her fury any longer. With a swift motion, she slapped Iris across the face, the sound echoing sharply in the quiet night. The impact left a vivid imprint of her red fingerprints on Iris’s cheek–a mark of retribution and release for Colette’s pent–up anger and pain.
Watching Iris recoil, Colette felt a grim satisfaction. “You deserved that,” she spat, her voice low and fierce. “For everything.”
As people continued to move in and out of the venue, Colette’s desire to remain unseen intensified. She didn’t want to be here, to witness any more of the charade that had become her life. With a sudden burst of resolve, she crumpled the bag of contraceptives in her hand and hurled it to the ground, the act a defiant declaration of her rejection of everything it represented.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Matt emerging from the venue, the departing investors beside him, exchanging final pleasantries. The sight sent a chill down her spine. They were leaving, and Matt stood alone at the entrance, a figure of solitude amidst the dissipating crowd.
Colette should have left, escaped the humiliation that clung to her like a shroud. She had endured enough pain for one night, enough heartache to last a lifetime. But despite her resolve, her feet remained rooted to the spot, her heart clinging to a shred of hope.
Matt’s gaze swept the surroundings, searching, uncertain. When his eyes found Colette’s, something flickered in them–relief, regret, perhaps even longing. He approached her slowly, his voice tender as he spoke. “Still here, sweetheart?” he murmured softly, his finger tracing her cheek. “Would you like to have dinner together? My work here is finished. We can leave now. Iris can handle the rest.”
Colette stared at him, torn between love and betrayal, anger and longing. Her emotions churned like a storm within her, uncertain of where the tempest would take her next.
Matheo noticed a flicker of pain in Colette’s eyes the moment he mentioned Iris’s name. He didn’t like it. He never wanted to see his wife hurt, but Iris was an integral part of his life, and Colette needed to accept that. “Colette…” he began, but she didn’t respond. Instead, his attention was drawn to a glimmer of icy blue and silver emerging from the shadows behind her. Iris stepped into the light, tears streaming down her cheeks.
‘I’m so sorry, God! I am so–so sorry, Matt!” Iris sobbed, her voice shaking with emotion. Matheo frowned, confused, until he noticed the red, angry marks of fingers on Iris’s cheeks. The realization hit him hard–Colette had slapped her.
He stared at his wife in disbelief. The sweet, gentle woman he knew wouldn’t harm a fly. Yet, the cold, wooden expression on her face confirmed the unthinkable. She had struck Iris. A surge of anger flooded his veins, more intense than he had ever felt before. Tonight, Colette had crossed boundaries he couldn’t fathom. First, she had shown up dressed provocatively, and now she had physically attacked Iris. It was beyond his imagination.
4:40 pm PPP M
Chapter 11
Matheo recalled tris’s words from earlier that evening, just after Colette had stormed out of the party. Im a bit afraid, Mart. Mrs. Angalia down’t he me very much. She doesn’t understand the business world, nor does she understand our relationship. The way she looked at rae tonight… I’m afraid she wants
to hurt me.”
At the time, he hadn’t taken Iris seriously. He knew there was tension–Colette was jealous of Iris and angry at him for not giving her enough attention–but he had never imagined Colette would resort to violence. He was wrong. The realization stung. It made him wonder what else Iris might have been right about, things he had dismissed or ignored.
*Colette, what have you done?” Matheo’s voice was low, strained with the effort to contain his fury. “This is not you. This is not the women i married
Colette’s eyes flashed with a mix of defiance and hurt. “I did what I had to do,” she said, her voice trembling but firm. ‘I won’t let her come between un
anymore.”
Iris sniffled, stepping closer to Matheo, seeking his protection. “Matt, please… I never wanted to cause any trouble. I just wanted to help
Comments
RVisitor
Wowqw,by the time he reali,es what a snake his sw retary is,his marriage will be over!!
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
