Once. Twice. Three times, until I felt a firm hand on my shoulder. When I looked up, I was startled. It was Kelsey’sdriver, his expression etched with concern, asking if I needed to go to the hospital. I shook my head, my throat burning, and asked him to take me back to the penthouse immediately.
He didn't hesitate. On the ride back, I forced myself to breathe long, measured inhales to regain my composure. It’s just another attempt by Peter to break me, I told myself. And it won’t work.
As the elevator climbed, I scrutinized my reflection in the mirror, trying to rub some life back into my cheeks to hide the lingering paleness. When the doors slid open, I swiped my card and stepped inside to find Kelsey deep in a meeting, taking notes while speaking what sounded like fluent German.
She looked up as I entered and reached out a hand toward me. I gave her a quick, tight smile and signaled toward the bathroom, desperate to scrub the taste of stomach acid from my mouth. Once I felt human again, I retreated to the master suite.
I couldn't help but let out a small, silent laugh when I saw her full outfit: a crisp dress shirt and blazer on top, but nothing but boxer shorts underneath. God bless the home office, I thought, the absurdity providing a momentary reprieve from my panic.
I circled the room to stay out of the camera's frame, catching her eye. She clicked her mouse, ending a segment of the call, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Give me another half hour to get rid of these jerks, and then I’m all yours," she promised.
“Once you're done, I’ll tell you everything. I bought you some socks and a doll,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. She beamed at that, stealing a quick kiss. “Peter called me... but it’s nothing to worry about.”
Kelsey’s expression shifted instantly. One eyebrow shot up, her gaze turning sharp and protective. "I can hang up on them right now if you want," she offered, her hand hovering over the 'End Call' button.
"No, finish what you’re doing. Can I just stay here with you?" I asked.
"Really?" she murmured. When I nodded, she patted the empty space next to her on the sofa.
Just as I was about to sit down, my phone vibrated in my hand—Sarki’s face flashed on the screen. "It’s Sarki. I’m going to take this in the living room, okay?"
"Sure thing, Kitty. See you in the jacuzzi in a bit?" she asked, her eyes softening.
"Yes, please!" I replied, already halfway out the door.
I pressed my hands together in a gesture of supplication, and Kelsey let out a soft laugh. Stepping into the living room, I noticed the penthouse was quiet—the staff had already cleared out for the day. I sank into one of the plush armchairs and hit the video call button for Sarki.
As I recounted the conversation with Peter, including every venomous word he’d spat, Sarki mirrored my own habit—pinching the bridge of her nose and taking a long, steadying breath.
"Honestly, I just thought he was an idiot," I admitted, shrugging. "Maybe this is his mistress's brainchild. Peter isn't nearly perceptive enough to orchestrate a play like this on his own."
"You have no idea the kind of scenarios I was running through on my way here," Sarki remarked, snapping her fingers as if to pull me back to reality. "At one point, I actually convinced myself he’d moved his mistress into the house. But this? This is just absurd."
"Try to enjoy your time there, Megs. Take it easy," she urged. "I’ll get in touch with Vanessa. She was supposed to be handling the logistics with your image team, right?"
"Yes. Kelsey says it’s the best way to pave the road to the Supreme Court," I explained.
"And she’s right. I’ll sync up with Vanessa, get this team assembled, and we’ll weigh the pros and cons the second you get back. It makes zero sense for you to lose sleep over a guy who can’t even keep a schedule, let alone follow through on threats."
"And what if he calls me again?" I asked, the anxiety still clawing at my chest.
"The moment we hang up, I’m talking to Vanessa to see if it’s better for me, as your legal counsel, to handle him directly. Leave it to me. Love you."
"Love you too, Sarki. Thank you. For everything."
"I'd do anything for you, Megs. Besides, I'm your lawyer," she added with a smirk. "My advice as a friend would be to tell Peter to go fuck himself. But as your counsel... we’ll find a more professional way to ruin him."
I hung up feeling a fraction lighter. The weight was still there, but it was shared. I walked back to the bedroom and let my body sink into the mattress, finally allowing myself to go limp.
A little later, I hear three soft taps on the bedside table. Kelsey crouched beside me, a delicate, wordless gesture that felt like she was asking for permission to enter my space. She took my hand and pressed a lingering kiss to my fingertips.
"The sun has set. Come stay in the jacuzzi with me," she murmured.
As I stood, her arm draped around my waist, pulling me into a protective embrace. "You don't have to say a word, Kitty. Sarki filled me in via text," she explained. I looked over my shoulder, one eyebrow arched in surprise. She let out a low, hoarse laugh, her lips brushing my shoulder. "I think she was messaging me while she was still on the phone with you."
"You two are unbelievable, Reena," I sighed, half-smiling.
