Pause Rewind Play

8. The Moon

Thankfully, he excused himself to go to the restroom and I had a moment of peace and quiet. But Louise seized that opportunity and cornered me.

"That was quite the toast," she said, her eyes suspicious.

"Thank you." I smiled pleasantly, getting on her nerves further.

"For someone who has tried her best to get out of this marriage, you seem quite enthusiastic about the wedding."

"People tend to try to get out of situations when they are blackmailed." I was done letting her play with me like I was her doll. "But I have realized that there are lots of upsides to marrying Felix. He loves me so much that he does everything I say." Fear slithered in her eyes. I suppose she hadn't factored in the influence I would have on her son when she blackmailed me. "I'm truly blessed that I get to be his wife and a part of the great Richardson family. I'd be his partner in everything." I had no interest in his money or the shares of his family company. But Louise didn't need to know that.

"You wouldn't dare," she gritted.

"Don't you want me to be a part of your family, mother-in-law?" My smile was sweet but if looks could kill, she would be dead and buried by now. "It's about fucking time you start treating me well and giving me the respect I deserve," I said in a low voice. "You might fancy yourself a great manipulator but this is your first rodeo. And I have been making people jump through hoops for me since I was a teenager. You've messed with the wrong bitch, Louise."

She gasped. For the first time ever, she looked scared. Good. Fear me. She was just now realizing that she bit off more than she could chew.

"You don't know what I can do, Katerina." She made a poor attempt of threatening me.

"I don't care. Let me show you an example of what I can do," I said as I watched Felix walk toward us.

"My two favorite women bonding." He smiled. "What were you talking about?"

"I was just telling Louise that I don't feel very well," I said as I made an innocent face.

"I knew it. You have been working way too much," he said, looking concerned. He touched my forehead. "It's not a fever. You're actually a bit cold."

"Yeah, it's a bit chilly." I nodded. He promptly took off his jacket, draped it around my shoulders, and pulled me in his arms. He started rubbing my back in an attempt to heat me up.

"I suddenly feel better. I don't need your jacket. Thank you," I smiled and gave him his jacket back. "I think I would feel better if I just have something to drink."

"What do you want? Water? Or a bit of juice, perhaps?" he asked.

"Juice sounds perfect," I told him and then looked at Louise as she watched her son rush to go get me some damned juice himself in a house full of staff. I could tell from the look of horror in her eyes that she knew she was fucked.

"You're a snake," she accused. "Stop toying with my son!"

I laughed. "Oh, Louise. I have just begun."

"He is innocent! He doesn't deserve this!" she whispered harshly. "All he has ever done is love you."

"He doesn't but you do," I replied. "I'll consider Felix a casualty in our war." I shrugged nonchalantly. "No biggie."

Her face turned red in anger.

Felix was back surprisingly quick so Louise couldn't get another word in. "I got you some options." He gestured towards the help he had brought with him. She had a tray in her hand. In it, were three glasses of three different juices. "Coconut water, orange juice, and apple juice."