Amy grinned. "Yes, they're very popular, but François has set a few aside for his loyal customers."
"That's sweet. I'd love to see them, thank you."
I sipped at my champagne as I looked through dresses that I had no business buying. I enjoyed shopping, although I rarely did it in person these days. I usually found everything I neededonline, or my personal shopper would visit me if I needed something for a special event.
But today, I just needed to get out of the house for a few hours before I went mad. I was stressed, and when I stressed, I shopped—and I did not half-arse it; I did it in expensive style. I justified it by telling myself that I was getting ahead of the upcoming Christmas rush. I usually bought new outfits for the many holiday parties Alessio and I were bound to be invited to, so I was simply doing it early.
My classes were intense. I was still enjoying them, but I'd been out of a learning environment for so long that I needed to rewire my brain to get back into an academic mindset. I now felt comfortable enough not to be overwhelmed by the coursework, although I was looking forward to the upcoming break.
My hands sifted through the rack of dresses until my eyes caught and held onto my sparkling wedding rings. A pit of sadness opened wide in my stomach, and my hands dropped to my sides. As hard as university was, it wasn't my main cause of stress.
Alessio had gone back to working long hours and was travelling much more than usual. I knew he could delegate a few of his tasks—he had proven that in the last few months when he'd suddenly become Alessio 2.0. Mr Attentive Husband of the Year. But ever since that night he picked me up from The Pig's Head and had basically rammed me hard into the mattress all night, he'd pulled back from me. A complete one-eighty.
I was feeling more alone than ever in my marriage, but could I really complain? Alessio had always been a workaholic. He always made it clear that his work came first. He liked how low-maintenance I was; that I didn't make unreasonable demands; that I matched him in intelligence; that I was an excellent hostess; and that I never complained.
I didn't ask him where he was or who he spent time with. He promised to take care of my father's legacy and to provide for me, and he more than achieved both. He didn't promise me fidelity, but he promised honesty, which was a heck of a lot more than most marriages in our world.
And yet…I thought things were changing for the better. Yes, it had been awkward between us for a while, but I truly thought we had turned over a new leaf in our marriage. He was more attentive and in tune with my needs, emotionally. He came home early most nights, and on the evenings he couldn't, he always texted me. When he had to travel, he always asked if I wanted to accompany him, even though he knew it was impossible with my studies.
But now, it was becoming painfully clear that the reason for his temporary attentiveness was a rare attack of guilt over Annabelle's indiscretion. He'd wanted to keep me sweet, to ensure that I wouldn't disturb the peace with my inconvenient feminine emotions.
Once his mind had been assured and his guilt eased, he felt free to revert to the behaviour I'd come to expect from him. Although now it was worse.
And I soon found that, while Alessio was happy to return to former habits, I was becoming less generous with the neglect I'd grown used to, and I was struggling to retreat to how things had been.
I tallied up all the ways in which I knew I was the perfect wife and partner to Alessio—and concluded that perhaps I was getting the short end of the stick here.
My sombre musings were interrupted by a chirpy Amy who wheeled out their shoe collection for me to peruse. I shook my head to rid myself of my negative thoughts, even though the usual excitement at seeing exclusive collections was missing. However, there was no point in dwelling on my marriage now.
Armed with my shopping bags, I decided to stay in the luxury department store and roam the floors. I picked up a Cartier watch for my father and a Burberry wool cape for my mother for her walks around the estate. I had a friend's twenty-first coming up, so I picked up a Saint Laurent tote bag along with a matching wallet. I selected a few toys for Alessio's nieces and a Ralph Lauren bomber jacket for his brother. By now, my arms were completely laden with bags, so I decided to call it quits on the shopping front and grab a quick bite to eat. I had plans to meet a few girlfriends for dinner, but I still had a lot of time to kill.
There was no point in going home early. Even though it was Saturday, Alessio wasn't home. He was in Edinburgh on business, scouting potential locations for a smaller, boutique hotel and headlining some business function. He checked in with me a couple of times during the week, but I hadn't heard from him in two days.
"Millie. Fancy bumping into you here."
My body stiffened when I heard that high-pitched nasal voice. The hand holding my cappuccino paused halfway to my mouth. My day was officially ruined.
"You're really stupid to approach me, Annabelle." I took a sip of my hot drink before slowly placing it back on the saucer.
She scoffed as she hitched her handbag over her shoulder. "You went crying to your husband about me." Annabelle's voice was tight in anger, although I had no idea why. "That's not what a good little wife does," she cuttingly remarked, her eyes narrowing in scorn. "Although I don't blame you for feeling insecure."
A sneer marred her features as her eyes swept me in disdain. I didn't miss how her gaze homed in on the bags at my feet, nor the twist of envy that cloaked her stare at the array of luxury brands on display.
Her mouth tightened before she lifted her mouth in a saccharine smile. "If I were you, I would spend more time trying to please your husband rather than spending his money."
I rolled my eyes while I continued to sip on a coffee that no longer tasted like anything. I didn't need to explain myself to the likes of Annabelle Wentworth.
"Although," she continued, not caring that she was carrying on a one-sided conversation. "I shouldn't complain. That same money was probably used to keep his other women satisfied."
She flashed her wrist at me. "Do you like it?" I caught the glitter of her diamond tennis bracelet, and my heart lurched. It was the same bracelet he'd gifted me on our wedding anniversary.
"It was a gift," she purred. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out her heavy insinuation. A bull in a china shop had more subtlety.
It took every ounce in me to look her in the eye and to keep my features neutral. "Was there something you wanted, Annabelle? I'm finding this all rather dull."
Her hand dropped when it was clear her little act wasn't getting the reaction she desired.
She lifted her chin. "Well, anyway. I just stopped here to do a bout of lingerie shopping. I'm off to Edinburgh this evening, and I want to make sure I'm fully prepared."
