Chapter 5 - THE EX-HUSBAND WHO WANTED HER BACK
Daniel called three days later.
I stared at the screen.
His name.
His photograph.
The same man who had spent years making me feel invisible.
I almost ignored it.
Then I answered.
“Hello.”
“Elizabeth.”
His voice was sharp.
“Where are you?”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“People are saying you're staying with Bellini.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who told you that?”
He ignored the question.
“Do you understand what kind of man he is?”
I looked toward the library.
Adrienne stood beside the fireplace speaking quietly with Marco.
“Yes.”
Daniel exhaled.
“Then come home.”
I froze.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
I laughed.
“Daniel, we divorced two years ago.”
He sounded irritated.
“I'm trying to protect you.”
I stared.
“From what?”
“From making another embarrassing mistake.”
There it was.
The familiar cruelty.
The effortless assumption that he knew better.
I took a breath.
Then answered:
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“You don't get to decide what embarrasses me anymore.”
Silence.
Then he said coldly:
“You'll regret this.”
I ended the call.
My hands were shaking.
Adrienne appeared in the doorway.
“Everything all right?”
I looked up.
May you like
Then smiled faintly.
“For the first time in a long time.”
