A Woman's Empire

LXIII

CHAPTER SIXTY THREE

The engine of the plane hummed low only under their feet as they headed towards their next destination: Miami, Florida. Audrielle's skin itched as she wanted to ask about Vivian. Who was she to Leo?

"Who's Vivian?" Audrielle asked, her voice low as she stared out at the clouds surrounding them. Leo snapped his attention to Audrielle with a raised eyebrow. How'd she know of her?

"She's my therapist, why?"

Audrielle let out a sarcastic chuckle. Gosh, here come the lies. "Yeah, and Ben was my gardener." Audrielle mocked in a harsh tone. Did he really think that she would be naive and believe his lies all over again? Audrielle had spent half a decade away from him, she fought for herself and her son and she wasn't going to let Leo tear down the confidence and independence she built herself.

"I'm being serious, Audrielle. Even ask Antonio. He was the one who suggested I visit her a few years ago. She's really helped me with my drinking and my temper. She's helped me become a better person, for you." Leo replied, in a serious yet soft tone.

"Did you sleep with her?"

"What? No! She's a sixty year old woman. Why would you even ask that?"

Something inside of Audrielle ticked. She thought all of her anger towards Leo was gone - evaporated into nothing but the past and memories in their brain. But it had returned suddenly. She was hurt, she had been hurt several years and she wanted Leo to understand the pain she was put through.

"I don't know Leo, okay? I was just asking. Forget about it."

"No, Audrielle. Let's talk this out. You think that I sleep with every woman I let into my life? What if I did? What if I slept with several women while you were safe, in Canada? Let's not forget about the history between you and Ben. You slept with him didn't you? S-"

"That's different, stop dragging me down for my relationship I had with Ben!"

"Why? What was your reason to sleep with him, Audrielle? Remember, we're still married right?" Leo growled, leaning closer to Audrielle with his hands placed on his knees.

"Because you were gone! You left me for so long and I couldn't just sit and wait for you for another five years, Leo! I didn't want to let another man into my life because I waited around for you, I waited around for Orlando's real dad. I waited so, so fucking long. And then I-I just gave up. I had run out of hope and t-then there were those photos of you with that girl on the yacht and so I thought well if you can forget me... I can forget you too."

Leo didn't reply. Instead he watched Audrielle tear into him, it was the least he deserved. He was guilty for leaving Audrielle and their son alone for all those years but he tried to do everything to keep them safe. To keep the Russians away because he knew, if they found Audrielle and Orlando, the next time he would've seen them would be their decapitated heads in a pretty wrapped up box with a bow on it.

"I'm trying Audrielle. I really am. Vivian is my therapist, nothing more. I've been nothing but loyal while you were gone."

"Then why couldn't you be loyal when we were together? Why did you just have to fuck everything up and push me away and then sleep with Lucy? Why did you believe Tanner over me?" Audrielle whispered, her eyes pleading with Leo and he gulped. There was a flash of emotion in Audrielle's eyes. Hurt, betrayal, anger, sadness.

"I-I don't know. I was fucked in the head and I was an asshole. I pushed you away because of your kind heart. I knew that you'd eventually get under my skin and I'd fall for you. I couldn't let that happen. Especially with my father around. I understand if you don't forgive me for those times. I was a monster to you and I only realized it when I almost lost you. Forever."