Chapter 10
Faye froze in her tracks. When she saw Pierce still staring at her face up close, she flashed a coy, expectant look. Word was Pierce was the type who did whatever he wanted. Was it possible… he was into her? Maybe love at first sight?]
Faye even let
go
of Vance’s hand and took
a
step
toward Pierce.
Pierce suddenly went “Oh,” then turned to me and said loud enough for all to hear: “Honey, this is the chick who tried to drug me and hit on me. I didn’t fall for it, though.“]
A man in gold–rimmed glasses nodded right away: “Ye
ma’am! I can vouch–she got tossed out without her pants on!”
The chapel erupted in laughter. Whispers about Faye flew everywhere. Her face turned beet–red in a flash, eyes welling with tears. She wanted to snap at Pierce, but in the end, she didn’t dare. Instead, she turned all her rage on me.
- e.
Pierce didn’t spare her another glance. He turned back to me, eyes warm: “She’s been targeting you. What do you want to do?”
I paused, then sneered: “Any race car drivers here? Someone good at speeding and hard braking.”
Pierce got it right away. He gave a few quick orders, and soon Faye found herself shoved into a car against her will.]
Vance was done with Faye. “What’d you do this time?” But before she could answer, he waved her off–he didn’t want to hear it. When Faye saw the disgust in Vance’s eyes, her heart sank.
Later, I heard Faye broke a rib in the crash, and Vance ended up with three broken ribs in the chaos. The Lyons finally cut Faye off for good. She’d grown up spoiled by Nora, living large, but now she was sent back to her birth family. No more designer bags, no private drivers. No one fawning over her.]]
her but now Heds
She tried her old tricks to gain sympathy and favors, but she was stuck with dirt, hoes, and men too busy to coddle her. Soon, she couldn’t hack it at home and slunk into a club job at the bottom rung. The proud “Miss Faye” was now a waitress in a seedy joint.[]
Nora came to me multiple times, begging me to talk to Vance. He’d stopped running the company, drank all day, and threw fits if anyone tried to intervene. Vance’s dad had to step in during his old age to prop up the family business on the brink of collapse.
With red eyes, Nora pleaded: “Elise, you carried Vance’s baby–please, you have to help him… He’s always drunk, shouting your name. He smashed all of Faye’s stuff…“]
I looked at the woman who’d once treated me like a servant, took a bite of apple pie, and said calmly: “Can’t do that. I’m pregnant now, can’t be around violence.“[]
I touched my swollen belly and smiled. Nora gaped at me–wearing a high–end maternity dress, a pricey sapphire necklace. My skin was fair, glowing, oozing wealth and grace. She could barely recognize me as the same woman who’d been treated like a maid in the Lyon house, the poor pregnant girl who’d almost drowned by the pool.
Tears of regret rolled down Nora’s face as she muttered: “If only… we hadn’t delayed your wedding…“]
Before I could answer, Pierce’s proud voice came from behind: “Honey, come try the new nutritious meal I learned from the chef! He says I’m the best cook among New York CEOS!”
I laughed and called back: “Be right there!”
The door shut behind me. Outside, the wind picked up. Inside, the air smelled of delicious food, warm light wrapping around me.]
This was the life I’d always dreamed of.
No more regrets.
