Page 76 of The Husband Contract

I think about the bank account statement that Willow had shown me on her phone, and I grow angry. She was still lying to me.

“You look stressed out, Sebastian.” Louisa steps forward and presses her hand against my chest. “Want me to give you a massage, or…”

“No.”

“You want some champagne?”

“I’m not interested in drinking right now.”

“You can drink it or you can lick it.” Her tone is teasing now.

“Sorry, what do you mean?”

“If you pour it over my naked body, then you can lick it off me.”

I stare at her for a few moments. I’m about to lose it. What the fuck is her problem. She’s growing increasingly desperate and sexual toward me and it reminds me of when we first met. She couldn’t still be expecting something to happen between us, could she? “What is going on, Louisa? I don’t understand why you’re?—”

“I’m just trying to figure out if this is ever going to go anywhere, Sebastian.”

“Ifwhatis ever going to go anywhere?” She looks mad for a few moments and then her face crumples and I see a tinge of bitterness in her eyes.

“Look, we met when we were younger, and we had a moment. I know your cousin died, which clearly affected you, but I’ve been here for you all these years. I just want to know if this is ever going to happen between us.” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. There’s no way she’s being serious right now.

“Louisa, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I have things to do right now, and I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“The doorman told me that you came back with a woman,” she says. “Who is it?” She steps forward, her eyes a fire, her tone demanding and I realize that she needs to be put in her place. I’m just not sure if this is the right time.

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“Is it Willow?” She stares at me, her expression hardening.

“It may or may not be Willow.”

“What are you doing with her, Sebastian?”

“I’m making sure that she pays for what she’s done to Sergio,” I say.

“Oh.” Her expression changes slightly, and she lets out a sharp laugh. “And does she know this?”

“Know what?” I frown.

“That you’re Sergio’s brother.”

“She does.”

“What did she say?”

“She said that he called himself Clark Kent. She said that he didn’t give her any money, but I know she’s lying.”

Louisa nods slowly. “Of course she would deny it. She’snot going to just admit it now. She’s a cold-hearted bitch.” Even though I’m a willing participant in this conversation, a part of me feels shame. I hate hearing Louisa talk about Willow like that. A part of me feels like I’m betraying Willow, even though I know that’s a stupid feeling.

“She deserves to pay, Sebastian,” Louisa continues. “For what she’s done. For how she betrayed Sergio.”

“She will pay,” I say. “Don’t you worry about that.”

“I’m glad.” Louisa takes a step closer to me, her eyes narrowing. She runs her fingers through her hair, pouts her lips, and stares at me.

“I truly believe that people need to pay for using others,” she says, her voice breaking. “There’s nothing worse than when someone hurts someone else. You just can’t play with someone’s heart and get away with it.”