Amy leads me to the bench at the foot of the bed and has me sit down. I move like a robot.
“Let’s get the blood off your face,” she says. “And get you some ice, too.”
I look at her.What’s going through her head right now?
She goes to the en suite bathroom and returns with a warm, damp washcloth. The door to my room opens, and immediately there is a charge in the air.
I don’t have to check to know.Sebastian.
I look down at my lap, keeping my eyes focused on a tiny red spot near my right knee. I can hear Amy move and murmur some words to him. My mind tries to fill in the blanks.
Are they wondering if I’m okay? Are they pitying me right now? Do they think my family’s out of control? Or are they curious about what I must’ve done to provoke Karl?
Do you think she deserved it?I imagine Amy’s question and squeeze my eyes shut for a moment. I’m being unfair—she’s been nothing but kind. But my past has proven that the truth isn’t important. The only thing that matters is what peoplepresumeis the truth. And Karl has a far better public image than I do.
Amy leaves, shutting the door behind her. Sebastian crouches in front of me. “Look at me,” he says, his voice steady. “Let me see your face.”
I glance at his hands. Amy led me away after he kicked Karl a couple of times. His hands are pristine. So maybe the fight ended soon after we left. I hope so, anyway.
“Lucienne. Show me your face.” Sebastian’s order is gentle but firm.
I tilt my chin up, although I don’t meet his eyes. I didn’t do anything wrong, and I’m the one who was abused, but an inexplicable shame blankets me like a sheet of frost. I shiver, rounding my shoulders. My face throbs, but somehow the pain feels deserved. I probably should’ve realized Karl wasn’t going to leave without making a scene. Or I should’ve realized he wouldn’t give up his gravy train without escalating the situation. I keep wondering what people are going to say about the altercation. Did Sebastian call the police?
He uses the washcloth Amy prepared and cleans the blood off my face. His touch is careful and tender, like he’s cleaning a treasure that might shatter. I steal a glance and see an impassive mask on his face. I wish I could read his mind.Does he regret marrying me?But of course he regrets it. I forced him.
“You shouldn’t have hit him,” I say finally.
“A man’s entitled to protect what’s his.”
The starkly possessive way he says “his” makes my heart race, but I know better than to give it any weight. I’m still reeling, and I can’t think straight. “He’ll sue.”
“Let him try.”
“He needs money to pay off gambling debts.”
“Good. But he’s not getting it from me. I’ll have my attorneys drag him through every court in the state until he has nothing left to his name.”
I give up. He isn’t listening, and will do whatever he wants in any case.
“You don’t have to worry about Karl anymore,” Sebastian says. “He’ll never touch you again.” When the washcloth brushes against my mouth, I inhale sharply. Dark fury erupts in his eyes. “I should’ve broken every bone in his body.”
Tears spring to my eyes so fast, I don’t get a chance to blink them away. They fall down my cheeks. Suddenly I feel as vulnerable as a snail with a broken shell. I look away quickly, hoping he doesn’t notice as a dull ache starts in my chest.
I don’t know why I’m crying. Sebastian isn’t being mean. As a matter of fact, he’s being entirely too kind. I’m used to people being cruel, and I never shed a single tear when they fling nasty comments or judgmental glances in my direction.
“I’m not upset with you, Luce,” he says softly.
“I know,” I whisper, my breath hitching.
He reaches out as though to cup my face, then drops his hand. “Look at me.”
I stubbornly keep my gaze on the foundation brush I left on the vanity after getting ready for the party.
“Luce.”
“You should probably go back downstairs.” I can’t return to the party looking like this, but our guests expect us to be there until the end.
“Don’t worry about it. My brothers are handling it.”
