Charlotte, a failed artist, finds herself stuck between the man she loves and her fiance who loves the power and control he has over her.
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Charlotte knew she had met the love of her life, Chase Sinclair, when she was only 20. Their relationship...
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Chapter 15
Charlotte stood in front of the mirror looking at herself. She had spent most of the afternoon sitting in a chair as a hairstylist and a make-up artist got her ready for this event tonight. She knew Landon was hovering, making sure she looked to part of the perfect soon to be wife dangling on his arm.
She looked at her dress nude tulle off the shoulder dress and smiled to herself. Her short hair was styled in curls with a loose braid that swept to the right. She had a thick gold bracelet on her left hand along with the engagement ring. Sighing she smoothed down her dress knowing Landon was waiting for her. she gave herself one last glance in the mirror and put on the pretty smile she would be wearing all night and picked up her clutch and made her way down the stairs.
She could hear Landon talking on the phone and knew Rose was finishing up her work for the evening.
Rose saw her first and smiled at her while Landon was still talking on the phone. He was dressed in a black tux that she knew was Italian made. Landon turned around and face her giving her a once look over before nodding his head in approval as he nodded his head to the front door. Knowing she would not get any compliments from him she passed Rose who whispered she looked beautiful as she followed Landon out to the limo that was waiting at the top of their driveway for them.
The driver opened the door for them, and Landon got in first, still talking on the phone. Charlotte gently got into the car, wary that she might ruin her dress. The driver closed her door and Charlotte knew this would be a long night she wanted to get over and done with. She wanted to be back in bed sleeping or drinking away all her problems, however, instead; she had to socialise, smile and pretend that she was hopelessly in love with a man she hates but can't leave.
"Charlotte, the rules for tonight." Charlotte opened her eyes when she heard Landon finally talk to her and she knew there would be rules there always was. Rules about who she could talk to. Rules about how far she was able to leave his side. Rules about who and who not to dance with. She sighed and rolled her eyes and faced him.
"I know the rules, Landon. No drinking more than 1 glass. No leaving your side unless asked to dance and only if you give permission. Smile at everyone. Keep my mouth shut. Look pretty and look at you like you are the light of my world and without you in my life, I would crumble." She added for dramatic flair and watched as his eyes hardened.
"If you fuck up tonight. If you embarrass me. If you so much as act out of line. I will make sure your little writer friend will find that he cannot publish another book in this lifetime. I will make sure his sister is never offered any work again. If I remember she is fond of art is she not." Charlotte looked at Landon horrified as a satisfied smile spread across his evil face.
She tried to think of something to say, to wrap her mind around the fact that Landon had to power to kill their dreams. She blinked a few times forcing herself not to cry in front of him or show that this news affected her as much as it did. She slipped on a cool mask despite the erratic beating of her heart and the churning inside her stomach.
