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He snickered. “I said, I won’t fuck you today.”
My eyes narrowed, and I fisted my hands. “I know you won’t, why did you even believe you could?”
He raised a brow and gave me a shit-eating grin. “You’re surprised by that? You spread your legs like butter for Rocco out of marriage. Why shouldn’t I get a taste? Hell, even your grandparents expected I’d want to—”
“You’re lying,” I snapped.
His eyes bore into mine. “I’m most certainly not. Ask your grandparents about it when we get back to the house. That’s why they left you alone with me.” He brushed my hair off my right shoulder, and I jerked away, horrified, my face burning in shame.Why am I ashamed?Percy must have made it up to torment me, but still there was doubt in my head. However, I didn’t want to go there with him.
“What about the woman you say you love, Percy?”
He shook his head dismissively. “She’ll understand. You’ll be my wife, and she’ll be my wife in spirit. She knows it’s our duty to procreate. Besides that, I’m a virile man, and you’re a beautiful, desirable woman.”
I gritted my teeth. Had Glenn said the same to Mama? He always treated her like a prize on his arm, her beauty undeniable even after all she’d lived through. It never seemed like love, more like a business arrangement. She told me he cheated and she feltalone. Maybe that was why she never gave her heart to him. But I wasn’t her.
“If you try to force me to have sex with you, I’ll kill you.”
He laughed at my back. “I won’t need to force you. There are many ways to break a wild horse. I’ll surely break you. But go on, run away, Adelina. I know when girls need to work through their tantrums. You run along and cry, but I expect you to be sweet to me the next time we meet.”
I walked fast away from him and up the hill. In my head, I planned to leave my grandparents’ home and start over, using the ticket Mrs. Cosgrove gave me at graduation.I won’t take any of their money. I could use the money left in my bank account.Find a job.
However, when I reached the top of the hill, I knew I’d never do it. Couldn’t do it.
“There are good care solutions in North Carolina if you want him close to you. It just takes adjusting. I think most disabled people are used to adapting.”
My life has always and will always revolve around what Jacob needs.I’ll never resent my brother, but I will also never forgive the men who lord my love for him over my life.
There was only one choice now.
Ireached the patio, and to my surprise, my grandmother stood on the other side of the glass, peering out. She opened the door and left it open, letting me know that Percy hadn’t stayed at the gazebo.
Her expression sharpened on me, and I moved to leave the room.
“Wait,” she called out, then came over and clasped my arm, “What happened? —”
“Don’t you know?” I chided, pursing my lips. My conscience warned me about my attitude, and I couldn’t stop myself. Not after the way Percy treated me like some dirty whore he got stuck with. I was sick of their schemes and fake outrage when things went as they expected.
She dropped her hand. “I don’t know….” Her voice trailed off.
Click.The sound of the door shutting caught our attention just as Percy walked in. He adjusted his shoulders and straightened his jacket, putting his friendly gentleman mask back in place. “Constance, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be riding with Reg?”
Grandmother still had on her riding trousers and boots. She lifted her chin and stood taller. “We cut our ride short. I came to check up on Adelina since she’s been unwell.”
“You’re not unwell. Are you, Lina?” Percy said in a syrupy voice. “Just a little too spoiled. Nothing I can’t straighten out.”
I bit the inside of my cheek, my face warming.
“What did you do to my granddaughter?” she snapped.
I glimpsed him as he gaped at her, indignant. “You know I don’t have to answer toyou.”
My grandmother paled but stood firm in silence, and I held my breath.
Percy finally snorted. “I did nothing untoward,Connie. Adelina can attest to that.”
Her eyes met mine.
I shook my head in agreement with him.