“Do you know how embarrassed I was?” Oliver shouted the moment I walked through the door. “You sat there like a useless lump and let Russell toss insults!”
“Cain shocked me, I was lost for words. What should I have done?” I exclaimed.
“Alicia, you should have left. Did you forget I’m your husband?” Oliver roared.
Tears formed, but I swallowed hard. “Ditto, Oliver, did you forget I’m your wife?” I returned. The devil had hold of me now; that was the only excuse for my sass. “Why were you there with Eve? Cain was correct, that’s not a restaurant you dine at with an employee!”
Oliver spun so quickly that I stepped back in true fear. “What are you saying, Alicia?”
“Why were you at Samuel’s with Eve? You can’t make time for lunch with me but somehow found it for Eve!”
“That was a reward for Eve. She secured the Mystique contract for another year.”
“No, she didn’t; that’s a lie!” I blurted instantly and inwardly winced.
“How would you know? God, Alicia, are you jealous?” Oliver yelled. “Is that why Cain insulted me?”
“I know because Winona and I were at Mystique’s, and Mystique confirmed that she’s only signing season by season still. Why lie?”
“Bitch!” Oliver hissed. The air left my body as if Oliver had punched me. Sucking in a deep breath, I tried again.
“Oliver, I didn’t let Cain do anything! Idon’tcontrol Cain Russell. Why won’t you answer the question?”
“I did. I was lunching with Eve as a reward for hard work, something you wouldn’t understand. And Cain and your friends totally ruined that. Did you put Cain up to that crap, Alicia? Were you jealous that Eve was with me?” An ugly glint entered Oliver’s eyes, and I realised he desired that. Oliver wanted me to be envious of Eve.
“No,” I said honestly, and Oliver heard the truth in my voice. Oliver’s gaze narrowed, and he stomped away, leaving me standing there, wondering what the hell had just happened.
Winona
“Cain Russell is my new hero,” I cried as I undressed.
“Did you see Kensington’s face? I thought the asshole was going to blow.” Aaron chuckled, then sobered. “Will Alicia be okay?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think Oliver has ever hit her, but he’s certainly done a number on her. Oliver’s an expert on gaslighting and manipulation. Let’s be honest, Alicia has been moulded into the perfect Stepford Wife. Oliver wouldn’t have liked losing control over her today at lunch. He continuouslyinvalidates Alicia’s feelings and uses narcissistic abuse and love bombing to tear her down.”
“Oh, I’ve noticed that. Oliver will constantly offer backhanded compliments.”
“Alicia’s bright and intelligent, but Oliver has created a dependency that I worry she’ll never escape. Although when Alicia’s Mystique, she’s stronger and braver. Glimpses of the woman she once was break through,” I replied.
“Do you think Kensington’s screwing that trash he came with?”
“Don’t know. There was a closeness that went beyond boss and employee. Would you take one of your employees to Samuel’s as a treat?”
“Would I fuck?” Aaron exclaimed, making me laugh. “If Oliver’s about to show his true colours, Alicia may be in for a rough ride.”
“Then it’s a good job Alicia’s got people who care about her surrounding her,” I said, and Aaron nodded grimly.
Alicia
I carefully checked my reflection. A week had passed since the incident at the restaurant, and the atmosphere had been decidedly chilly. Oliver had barely spoken and had stayed out later than ever. He claimed he was working on the new advertising campaign for Mystique. It was possible, but I wondered whether Eve was also present. However, tonight’s dinner, Oliver couldn’t ignore. Not when Jude was hosting, and Oliver still maintained a healthy fear of Jude.
The last person who’d upset Jude had paid dearly. Jude had ripped him a new one all over the media. It had been deserved, and Jude had enjoyed taking him down. But Jude’s actions hadterrified Oliver. Oliver came out of his walk-in wardrobe, and I smiled and extended an olive branch.
“You look nice.”
“Screw your false comments, they’re worthless,” Oliver growled, and I swallowed hard. Where was my husband?
“Well, I meant it. Oliver, you look very handsome,” I tried again. Oliver turned and checked me over. I blushed under his scrutiny.
