Cole stood up, too, his expression firm and icy. The same way it got before he was about to issue some edict. “Sunny?—"
"I'm taking back control now."
I took the handle of the wheeled suitcase that had magically appeared on the main floor of the penthouse with a note that said,"Take this suitcase. That's a command. —The House"
Had that only been a few days ago? I walked to the door, remembering how heartwarmed I'd felt when I saw his thoughtful gift.
But now all I felt was stupid.
“Where are you going?”Cole demanded behind me.
I didn’t answer. Just grabbed my purse from where I'd left it on a chair near the front entrance.
“Tomas won’t drive you anywhere without my permission.”
“It’s Palm Springs!”I informed him.“I’m sure I can find a shuttle or something to take me back.”
“What about Sunday night? The engagement party?”He sounded furious, and he was getting closer.
"Sunny!"
I turned on him before he could grab my arm.
“I’ll come to the party on Sunday. For Nora. But only if you let me go now and don’t try to follow me or get in contact with me or evict me or do any of the devious stuff you’re always doing to get your way. Because this—”I waved my hands between the two of us.“Whatever it is—has run its course.”
"You really think that. You'd throw away?—"
"Either party has the option to terminate the relationship agreement with an oral announcement at whatever time they desire."I threw the line he gave Juliet back in his face before he could finish asking that question. "I'm exercising that option. Do not chase after me. Do not ruin my life. You got what you wanted for long enough. Just leave me alone."
Cole stared at me, his face ravaged with anger...and what looked like genuine pain.
Because he wasn't getting his way, I reminded myself.Not because he's truly upset over losing you.
"Bye, Cole,"I whispered.
Then I turned and walked out before I could convince myself otherwise.
CHAPTER33
Cole
Mr. Benton, what happened??? Just got a text message from Sunny asking me to pick an engagement party dress out for her and send it to a new address. Is everything okay? Is Sunny okay? Do you need me to cut my vacation short and come into the office?
I readAgnes’s message while drinking straight from the special edition bottle of the Rustanov Vodka that Baer Rustanov himself had gifted me when we named his family's line the official vodka brand for the Benton Grand.Part of a top-shelf initiative I'd spearheaded to assert that even as we ventured into the bargain hotel sector, Benton Grand remained synonymous with luxury, rivaling the Tourmaline brand.
I took a swig and started to type.No, everything is not okay.
I stopped. Took another swig. Backspaced over what I'd typed and tried again.She said no.
Another swig and delete job. Then I typed, the words raging inside my chest,What's the address? Send it to me now.
But then Sunny's last words came crashing back through my head.
“Either party has the option to terminate the relationship agreement with an oral announcement at whatever time they desire. I'm exercising that option. Do not chase after me. Do not ruin my life. You got what you wanted for long enough. Just leave me alone.”
Fuck.
Fuck.
