Page 64 of Suddenly Mine
Christian stared at her, his throat tight.
“Margot . . . and Dad?” he murmured, piecing it together.
Mrs Cradley gave him a quiet, knowing smile. “As I said, Mr Carroll, I see everything. Margot loved your dad, but your dad stayed ever faithful to your mum, even when she wasn’t around anymore.”
Then she nodded towards the conservatory behind him. “Now, go on. It’s your turn. She’s in there and she’s hurting. And you need to fix it.”
She slipped away into the wind, leaving Christian reeling as the door clicked shut behind him with a finality that echoed in his bones.
Merry was standing by the little sofa, her back to him, shoulders shaking as she folded her dress with trembling hands. Her hair was falling from where it had been pinned up, strands tickling down her back, and she was already zipped back into her old Carroll’s uniform. Reclaiming the version of herself he’d met that first day at the front door.
Her duffle bag lay open on the cushions. She lifted the dress as if it were breakable and tucked it carefully inside.
“Merry,” he whispered, afraid to break the silence.
She didn’t look at him. Just zipped the bag closed.
“You don’t get to say my name,” she said flatly, turning. Her face was blotchy, streaked with mascara, eyes blazing. “You don’t get to stand there and pretend you care when all of this—” she flung a hand towards the conservatory — “was a performance.”
“It wasn’t. I promise, nothing about me is a performance.”
“Oh, please.” She bent down, grabbed the duffle bag by the handles, and threw it at him. He caught it, barely, and placed it gently on the floor.
“I don’t want to be bought,” she said, voice breaking. “Not with Storm dresses or goddamn whipped cream and sprinkles.”
Christian’s stomach dropped. “I’d never—”
“You told me you saved Devlin’s life,” she snapped. “I bet you were both just laughing at me behind my back. And I was an idiot to believe you. Like, what the fuck, saved Devlin’s life? I blame myself for believing it.”
“I actually did save his—”
“Don’t,” she said sharply. “Don’t twist it. You embedded yourself here like some undercover billionaire, gathering information so you could take control. And I—” Her voice cracked. “I let you in. I trusted you. God, I even defended you.”
“Merry, please,” he said, helpless, stepping towards her.
She backed away.
“Were you even planning on leaving, or was that another ploy to get me in deeply and quickly?”
“I was leaving, I promise.” Christian ran a hand through his hair. “God, this is such a mess.”
“I wish you still were. I was happy before you came along. I had a simple life, a good job, friends. You’ve wrecked all of that. I hope you’re happy with yourself.”
Silence pulsed between them as Christian scrambled to find something to say that Merry would listen to. But it was too late. She was already lost to him.
“I never want to see you again,” she said, with a cold finality.
Chapter 29
MERRY
She stormed forward, pushing open the door and blinking hard, just needing to get away before she did something more than throwing her bag at his face. Even the fact he’d caught it before it bumped his stupid, perfect nose made her blood boil.
“Were you?” His voice cut through the wind.
She stopped dead.
“What?” she asked, without turning.