Away With the Fairies (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 2)

The Man to Bear Her Out

Fiona inhaled slowly and let out a shuddered breath.

"You think I'm stupid," she said and shook her head in disbelief. "I must have been properly out of it, all these years, if you somehow think that I'll believe a single word you're saying right now."

His eyes widened.

"Have I been that gormless? That– gullible?" she exclaimed. "You've just pretty much told me you're planning to sell my pub and take all the money, and then you threatened to lock me up in a mental institution– and now you're smiling and trying to– what?! Charm me? Have you been doing it all these years? Have I just not seen it? God, what an idiot!" She pressed her fingers over her mouth. "What an idiot I have been," she muttered.

"Fee," he started.

"I hate when you call me that," she interrupted. "And I have told you that. Many times, to think of it. And I don't eat chocolate."

"What?" he scoffed. "What are you about?"

"I don't eat sweets. Never liked them. And you brought me chocolates."

"Fee– Fiona, you're obsessing," he said in a purposefully calm tone. "Remember, Dr. Cullen told you about it. You have triggers, from your childhood. They're irrational, and I know they seem real to you, but–"

"They are real!" she cried out. "My feelings are real! And my thoughts are real! I don't eat chocolate, and you've been married to me for twelve years, and you still brought them!"

Nate gave out a long sigh.

"Look at what you're saying, Fiona. We're supposed to be discussing our marriage, and you're stuck on some stupid chocolates."

Fiona's breaths came out in sharp pants, and then she pressed her hand to her forehead.

"How about you calm down, heh, babe?" he said.

And suddenly, from his mild tone - like talking to a sick fussy child - she felt livid.

"How about you fuck off?" she hissed. "You know what? Maybe I am crazy, I wouldn't know. But at least I'm not using other people, brainwashing them, and twisting everything around! How does it make you feel?" she asked, and somehow she was now advancing at him, while he took a step backwards. "You've been arsing up my mind for years, you've been controlling and manipulating me! You're still trying to do it! Does it make you feel strong and important and powerful? Because you're not!" she screamed. "You're small, and weak, and scared! A real man would never–"

The slap burnt, and felt like when she fell on her face on the rink, and it was deafening, and shocking - and so painful! She gasped - her throat was clenched, and no air went in - and pressed her hands over her cheek. When her palm touched her skin, it hurt again, almost more, and she cried out.

She saw his eyes, widened and mad, his pupils dilated. There was some noise and movement in the room, but she still couldn't take a breath - and the next second he was on the floor, his right arm twisted behind his back. Will's left hand held its wrist firmly, while he was pressing his left knee into Nate's spine. It must hurt. There's a dip. Nate jerked and swore raspily. The cane was in Will's right hand, crushing Nate's neck at the back.

"Are you alright?" Will barked at her, and she frantically nodded. "Alright, you–" He turned to Nate, and she saw Holyoake's bared teeth, in a stark contrast to the dark beard.

She rushed ahead and grabbed his upper arm.

"Please, please, please," she begged loudly. "Stop!" He looked up at her, his eyes burning. "Please, don't!" She kept grasping at him - his arms, his shoulders, and then even cupped his face. "Let him go, please!"