Ruthless

67

I can still vividly recall the day Colten learned about my marriage to Edward. I saw the change in him instantly, as it was impossible to miss....how he began to distance himself, treating me as if I were a stranger. His reaction infuriated me, not just because it was childish, but because he didn't even try to understand my situation.

Colten probably saw me as nothing more than a gold digger. We were supposed to be there for each other.

I wanted to confront him, to explain the nightmare I was trapped in, but I knew Colten needed time to cool off before he could listen to my side of the story. But before I could reach out, he vanished from my life.

And then came the fear...what if Edward had done something to him? I wanted to ask, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Edward's possessiveness terrifies me. I've seen that same dangerous glint in the eyes of those brothers.

Though Edward hasn't hurt me yet, I'm petrified that one day he will. When that day comes, it will destroy me. And yet, in some twisted way, I will still crave him. Maybe that's why I'm so desperate to get away.

"Why are you just standing there? Come over," Faith urged.

Colten approached slowly, each step tentative, as if he were unsure whether he wanted to be here at all.

Faith, who had been standing next to me, suddenly moved aside and gave Colten a gentle push toward me, causing our bodies to brush against each other.

"Stand beside Faith," she commanded with a knowing smile.

A wave of unease washed over me. I could feel the tension in every fiber of my being, yet I couldn't move. If I did anything, it would raise questions about my relationship with Edward.

How absurd that I'm his wife, yet I feel like a mistress.

"They look good together, don't they?" Faith mused.

"Yes, they do," Ruby, usually the quietest of us, spoke up unexpectedly.

I wished she had stayed silent; her comment only made my discomfort worse.

"If everyone's here, let's cut the cake," Eliza suggested, her voice thick with sleepiness.

Faith agreed, and I found myself leaning forward to blow out the candle. Faith and Eliza clapped and sang a half-hearted birthday song, while the others seemed utterly indifferent and uncaring about the celebration.

My grip tightened on the edge of the desk before I released the desk and reached for the knife, which was placed to the side of the cake. Without hesitation, I cut into it. Faith and Eliza clapped again while the rest remained indifferent again.

Now, I face a new dilemma. Tradition wise, the first bit should go to the most important person, but who should I give it? If I gave it to Colten, Edward would undoubtedly be angry, but I couldn't offer it to Edward either. Something told me that Eliza and Faith wouldn't accept the first piece, which left Ruby... but that didn't feel right either.

"Feed your lover boy," Faith teased.

Nodding, I picked up a small piece and turned toward Colten. My hand trembled as I brought the cake to his lips. Colten's eyes bore into mine, unblinking, and I couldn't help but feel a flush of nervousness. I've always known about Colten's feelings for me, but never before have I felt this rattled by his gaze.

Instead of taking a bite, Colten unexpectedly clasped my hand, causing my breath to catch. I stared at him, my face twisting in confusion as he lifted my hand, still holding the cake, towards my mouth. Realizing what he intended, I hesitated before reluctantly taking a small bite, my eyes flickering towards his.