Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 11

Effie stood there, cold and unyielding, watching as Mitchell helped Suzan up off the floor. Suzan practically melted into his arms, leaning against him as if she had no strength left to stand on her own.

"I'm fine, Mitchell," Suzan said in a small, trembling voice. "Really, I just tripped. It wasn't my sister's fault, but she seemed really upset. I think she misunderstood. And... I broke her lucky charm, so she's angry at me, too..."

Effie observed the scene, the corners of her mouth curling into a mocking smile. Suzan's performance was as flawless as ever-so delicate and pitiful that anyone watching would feel compelled to pity her.

Mitchell glanced down at Suzan, concern flickering in his eyes. Suddenly, his expression hardened. "What happened to your face?" he demanded.

"Mitchell, please don't blame my sister..." Suzan's meaning was clear, even if she didn't spell it out.

The light above cast shadows across Mitchell's face, making the sharp lines of his features stand out even more. The play of light and shadow made Effie feel momentarily dizzy, as if the whole scene were a dream.

Then Mitchell's voice rang out, strong and commanding, leaving no room for argument. "Effie, apologize to Suzan now. No matter what, you can't just hit someone."

let out a cold laugh, her gaze as sharp as a blade as she looked at

growing colder. "Effie, what's happened to you? I'm really disappointed. I'll say it one

Effie scoffed, her eyes flashing with icy defiance. "Mitchell, let me make this clear-I will never apologize. Not

unwavering tone pushed Mitchell over the edge. Without thinking, he raised

had just happened. She pressed her hand to her burning cheek, her fingers trembling. The disbelief in her eyes quickly hardened into a

cutting into Mitchell. When she finally spoke, her voice was hoarse and icy. "Mitchell, with that

the red mark blooming on Effie's cheek, and a wave of regret and panic

I've never hit a woman before. All these years together, I've never even laid a finger on you. But you shouldn't have hit Suzan-it wasn't her

time Effie had ever heard Mitchell say so much at once. Not that it mattered anymore. Whatever they'd been before, after tonight they'd be nothing to each

back, her face pale,

that, she turned to

heart clenched as he instinctively reached out to stop her. "Effie, don't do