I crack an eye open, letting my gaze land squarely on her, laced with all the snark I can muster. “Well, then, you're about to be very disappointed.”
I don't miss the way she looks at Sassy, and if she keeps it up, I might just smear my cat all over her face.
“You have no respect at all.”
“Not for you, I don't."
She stands there, blocking part of the sun, arms crossed, fingers tapping against her arm. “Where were you last night?”
I squint at her. “None of your business.”
“It is my business when my husband isn't home, at work or at his parents' house.”
Fuck this woman.
“Oh, you checked on him? A bit coercive, don't you think?”
Her lip twitches, but she pushes on. “I’m just a concerned wife. Neither of you was home last night, so… care to explain?”
Well shit. Is she tracking him?
Shifting slightly on the swing, Sassy curls into a tighter ball beside me. I lean forward, tilting my head to the side as I look at Rose. “Not that I owe you an explanation, because I don't. I got drunk last night, celebrating a new job, something you have never had, and I needed picking up. Ezra rang Elijah, your ex-husband, and he came to pick me up. Cause, unlike you, he actually gives a shit.”
Kind of the truth, but she's lied and betrayed Elijah enough for anyone to feel nothing but contempt.
Rose looks smug, eyes narrowing as she senses my simmering irritation. I tense, ready to leave, to just walk away… until she opens her mouth.
“Oh, sweetie.” Her voice drips with faux sweetness. “He doesn't care. It's guilt.”
Move. Just leave. Ignore her.
I clench my jaw. She's doing this on purpose. She thrives on arguments and hurting me.
“He doesn't really care about you. Elijah has always had a soft heart, and he hates himself for hurting Leon all those years ago.”
Annoyance roars through me. “I told you to never speak of my dad.”
Her annoying smirk widens, eyes glinting. “The only reason he helps you is that it eases the guilt. He couldn't care less about you. It's just convenient.”
I take a deep breath, willing myself not to rip off those fake eyelashes of hers. But she presses on, undeterred.
“The way he crawled into my bed last night… begging for me. I’d say we’re working on our marriage. And when we do, you're out of this house.”
The words hit me like a punch. They cannot be true—not after the way he kissed me, the way he looked at me.
No. That’s not possible.
“Nobody really cares for you, Willow.” She steps closer. I pivot my head, glaring daggers as she reaches toward me. “You’d do well to cosy up to Olivia's son at dinner on Sunday. Maybe he’ll pity you.”
She sizes me up. “Not a single person wants you. Look what your dad had to do to get away from you.”
I tremble, rage curling inside me, every instinct screaming to throttle her—but my body won't move.
“Now, I’m off to visit my husband before my spa night with the girls. This depressing aura of yours is giving me a headache.”
She waves her perfectly manicured fingers like she's done nothing, and just like that, she walks off—leaving my heart bruised and my good day in ruins.
It's been hours since Rose left, and somewhere in between, I broke down.
