"What was what?"
"Don't play dumb, Evangeline.The way you were looking at him.The way you're undermining every decision I make."His voice is low but sharp, designed to cut."We had an agreement.You were going to let him take the children and we were going to move on with our lives."
"I never agreed to that," I say, lifting my chin."You decided that.You made that choice for me."
"Because it's the smart choice!"His composure cracks, and for a moment I see the real Ethan underneath the polished exterior; the man who needs to control everything and everyone around him."Five children, Evangeline.Do you have any idea what that would do to our life?To our plans?"
"Our plans can change."
"Can they?Or are you just using these children as an excuse to stay close to him?"
The accusation hits like a slap."How dare you?—"
"I see the way you look at him," Ethan continues, his voice dropping to something cruel."The way you light up when he walks into a room.You think I'm blind?"
My face burns with embarrassment and anger.Am I that obvious?Has everyone seen what I've been trying so hard to hide?
"Those children just lost their parents.I'm trying to?—"
"You're trying to play house with a criminal because you have some adolescent fantasy about bad boys and danger."He steps closer, crowding me against the counter."But that's all it is, Evangeline.A fantasy.In the real world, men like him destroy everything they touch."
"You don't know him."
"I know enough.And I know you're making a mistake that's going to ruin both our lives."His hand comes up to cup my face, but there's nothing gentle about the touch."We'll discuss your defiance later, when we're alone.But right now, you're going to go in there and tell him you've changed your mind.That you think it's best if he takes full custody."
The words hit me like ice water.He’s treating me like I'm a child who's misbehaved instead of a grown woman making her own choices.
"No," I say quietly.
His eyes flash with something ugly."Excuse me?"
"I said no.Marcus and Calla named both of us as guardians because they wanted both of us in their children's lives.I won't abandon them."
"You'll do as I say, Evangeline.We're getting married in six months.You belong to me now."
Belong to him.Like I'm property he's acquired rather than a person he's supposed to love.
The words echo in my head, and suddenly I'm remembering every time he's corrected my outfit choices, my food orders, my opinions at dinner parties.Every time he's spoken for me instead of letting me speak for myself.
How did I not see it before?
“We’ll discuss this later,” I say, echoing his earlier words.
I push past him, but I don’t go straight back to the living room.I pause in the hallway, my hand braced against the wall like it’s the only thing holding me upright.As I take deep breaths, needing to calm myself, I hear the front door close and sigh in relief.Good, he’s gone.I can’t deal with him right now.
I’m not sure how long I stand there, taking the time to ground myself, but my phone buzzes from my pocket.
I pull my cell out and see who’s calling.Ethan.Of course.
For a moment, my thumb hovers over the screen.Maybe I should answer.Apologize.Smooth things over.That’s what I usually do.Keep the peace.Keep the plan intact.
This is just grief, I tell myself.This is me latching on to the first person who feels safe.
But then I hear Lily laugh through the doorway; listen to Hades’ voice reading to them.
And I remember the way Ethan’s hand bruised my wrist.
I slide the phone back into my pocket without answering.My hand is still shaking.
