How Julian’s gardener keeps this all in bloom and looking spectacular in the middle of a freaking desert, I have no idea.
But I love it.
It’s been a week since Julian found me. It’s both a relief to be home and terrible because I don’t trust him.
I can’t.
He promised me so much before. Treated me like I mattered to him, like he cared about me, and then he discarded me like I was trash. Like it was the easiest thing in the world to cast me aside.
Just like my father would have.
And I just can’t let go of how he looked at me that day, as he watched me fall and hurt myself and then kicked me out.
I’m not stupid. I’m not going to insist that he take me back to that horrible motel. Julian has made it clear every single day that I’m staying and that he’ll never let that happen again.
However, just like my father warned me, the men in this world are manipulators. Liars. I don’t know what Julian’s game is right now, but I don’t trust that he magically wants me with him again. I don’t even know what happened to have him kick me out in the first place.
My husband is always home. To my knowledge, he hasn’t left the mansion once since he brought me here days ago, and he’s never far away. He must be babysitting me. Keeping watch, in case I do something to betray him again.
I glance through the glass doors into the house and see Julian pacing the kitchen, his phone to his ear.
I wonder what happened to my phone.
Until this moment, I haven’t even thought about my cell. It had been dead for so long that I was out of the habit of reaching for it, and today’s the first day that I’m starting to feel well enough to spend most of my time out of bed.
I really don’t want to lie around anymore.
That must mean that I’m getting better.
With my eyes still on my husband, I settle back against the lounge chair.He’s so handsome.He’s in his standard black slacks and button-down, sleeves rolled up, top two buttons undone. I’m quite sure all his clothes are custom because they mold around his perfect body like a second skin.
He’s been so tender with me over the past week. I know he was worried, and I can sense that he means it when he says he’s sorry and that he’ll never hurt me again.
I want to believe him.
At least, I thinkhebelieves what he says. But a month ago, I would have sworn on my life that Julian Stavros wouldneverput me in danger, wouldnevercast me aside.
But he did.
I know I’m safe here, for now. And I’ll go back to being the dutiful wife, doing what I was raised to do.
But I need to guard my heart. Because I don’t think I could survive another heartbreak like the one I just went through.
Julian slides the glass door open and steps out to join me, smiling down at me.
“I’m so glad you’re feeling better.”
“Me too. I don’t want to be in bed anymore.”
“That’s a good sign.” He sits on the chair next to mine, facing me. “Angel, what was the store called where you sold your ring?”
I frown over at him.
“I’m going to get it back for you.”
I glance down and run my fingertip over the skin where my diamond usually sits.
I miss it.
