Behind the Mask

m my decision. Just as I was about to knock on his doo

right? I've decided to employ her so she c

laugh. "No man, I hope

no evil ag

oubt

My breath caught in my throat. Poor girl? Is

me wanted to turn back, to walk away from this humiliat

my pride, I

lips. "Oh, Annie. I knew you were a smart

ced a

biggest investors, and I want you to prepare for it. This time, the meeting is about apologies and the signing of a contract. I missed

y, s

. Kashmir, one of his key investors, was from India, so I did everything I could to impress hi

orked. He sign

ng unexpect

lt a gaze lingering on me-intense, assessing. When

staring.

but his eyes held something u

leaned forward. "You're an impressive young

ompliment, but something about the

ffened. His jaw clenched as he

stant, Father.

irling the whiskey in

yself. But as we left the meeti

ble in front of my father an

even a simple thank yo

n't ch

lessly, often without food. If I ever complain

brought it to him, and he poured it on

cars remain. The b

o take me to

oyfriend at the time, who

in front of me, glaring,

vening," he ordered. "I

drag me back to that place. The pl

folder lay open, filled with

these, he can't

then did th

ok t

n Christ's s

e," Christ muttered. "Every time I touch her, it's like I'm back in the club. We were both wea

you're making assump

" Christ leaned back, a

ened. "You mean,

es

p the revenge. I know you-you haven't f

, his voice eerily calm. "An

Okay, but if she is not th

d. "We chang

knock came

had ar

I felt it. The weight of the

e. The place

speak. The kitchen-that cursed kitchen where he use

med into me like waves, and for a second, I felt the sti

nn

pulled me ba

d rapidl

es

. shaken. A

hard. "Yes

asn

ed the countertop absentmindedly, and my s

I clutched my stomach,

eel well,"

long moment before

reath shallow, and practic

I had just

tears as I walked down th

feeling the weight of

oing to do

dn't

one thing

giving