The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 22

I kind of feel dead inside. Is that normal or what?

Clash

I ended up going home without waiting for him. I had turned off my phone too.

I managed to lie straight-faced to my mother when she asked how the lunch went before locking myself up in my room. I also refused dinner. It was just my luck that something came up in the office, and both my grandmother and father had stayed in Prestigio until late. Mom didn't raise my case.

Which meant more time for myself... and my chaotic thoughts. It was strange that I remembered every word from everyone. I remember the look my grandmother gave me. The strange smile my mom made when dad came to fetch us this morning in the garden. Sierra and her peculiar behavior. Zeke Garcia and the fury he barely held back.

Then there was Jace Black.

Sitting with my knees drawn up in the middle of my bed, I buried my face in hands. It was a minefield. One wrong step and the whole thing would explode in my face.

The migraine that had simply been numb taps on my temples have become full-on construction-site pounding. And that was how I fell asleep.

I was woken up by the hand shaking my shoulder.

"Miss Isla," the maid's voice said in an urgent note, "It's breakfast time! They're all waiting for you."

It was morning already?

A groan passed my parched lips. My head still pounded, and I dared not get up. My fingers felt for a pillow which I pulled over my face. "Tell them I'm not feeling well."

The hand on my shoulder went to my forehead and I heard a gasp, "Let me get your medicine."

The door burst open in less than a minute.

"Isla!"

My eyes fluttered open at that voice before it closed again, "Mom."

"What's going on? Are you really sick?" her hand was so different from the maid's. It was soft and cool. And for some reason, I could hear concern in her note.

"I just need rest," I told her.

But I was already being pulled into a sitting position. And as much as I hated it, I complied when my mom pushed two tablets into my hand. The maid earlier was standing behind her with a tray. I held out my hand for the glass of water.

"You should at least eat something. You didn't eat your dinner either."

And my lunch.

I shook my head at her, "Later. I don't think I could keep anything down." The glass of water was set back on the tray and I looked at my mom. She looked like she had something to say.

"Jace called."

I hid the disappointment. Of course. There would be an agenda for this sudden motherly act.

"I don't think I'm going out anytime today."

That reply quickly earned me disapproval, "You would at least call him."

I flicked the same blue eyes at her, "When I feel a little better."

Her mouth twitched, "As long as you do."

I nodded and went back to lay down, dismissing her.

"He called me yesterday too. Jace said you weren't answering his calls."

My reply was quick, "I wasn't feeling well yesterday either."

"Isla," my mother breathed in deeply, "We do not turn off our phones in this family. You know that."