Page 173 of Corrupted By You

A wave of insecurity washed over me. “You think so?”

“Hell, I know so. You’ve always been a badass. You just didn’t know it.”

St. Victoria would always be a part of our legacy. But I wished with the publishing house and the Girls in Leadership project, Montardor remembered us Hill women for being ball-busting, rule-breaking, and for challenging the status quo.

We had one life to live. It was our duty to live it to the fullest and to be the best versions of ourselves possible. When I left this earth, I wanted to be remembered for never lowering my standard and for always wanting the women in my surroundings to be uplifted like the magical beings we were.

Dacia smiled at me with a nostalgic quality. “One day, you’re going to change the world.”

I grinned and twined our fingers together. “As we all know…women are the future leaders of tomorrow.”

By the tenth day of not seeing Zeno, I was in a surly mood. Everyone in the house knew not to come near me. I was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode at any given moment.

Ben knocked on my door and asked if I’d like to go to the shooting range with him to practice my aim. I snarled at him. François bought me chocolate muffins. I wailed. Céline asked me out on a walk. I scared off her dalmatians with my negative aura. Yves asked me how work was going. I told him I wanted to die. Éva went for coffee and brought me back a crème brûlée latte but left it outside my bedroom because she was too terrified to knock on my door.

The De la Croixes knew my husband and I had a dispute and were giving us space.

But I didn’t want space anymore.

I wanted Zeno.

Talking to him over text wouldn’t do. I needed to see him face-to-face, which was proven impossible when my sulking husband refused to give me the time of his day.

I decided to text my best friend for help. At this rate, I was willing to key Zeno’s black Lamborghini if it meant drawing his attention.

It’s been more than a week, Ella. I can’t do this anymore. —Darling

Why don’t you film yourself touching your pussy and send it to him? He’ll get all hot and bothered and come banging on your door. —Ellie

You’re literally insane. I would never do that. —Darling

I did that once with Cade when he was acting up over something stupid. It worked. —Ellie

Coming from the girl who likes to have her husband wear ski masks and pretend to kidnap her as roleplay, I’m literally not surprised. —Darling

I sent a few lollipop emojis, knowing damn well she’d understand.

Excuse me. You don’t see me kink shaming you. Doesn’t your husband whip you and call you a dog? —Ellie

She sent me a series of grape emojis.

It’s PET, you fucking bitch. Hahaha. I hate you. —Darling

I regretted telling her about Zeno’s and my bedroom dynamics.

Woof. Woof. —Ellie

This best friendship is literally over. —Darling

You love me

Jokes aside, put on some sexy lingerie and hunt him down. He can’t hide forever. —Ellie

She was right.

He couldn’t hide forever.

“It’s a beautiful night,n’est-ce pas?”