Housewife Gone Wild

Loose 432

My breath caught, a nameless dread flooding through every inch of me.

Edward fixed me with a stare, all traces of warmth gone–he was pure ice now. “Sorry if this comes off harsh, but I did give you a choice.”

“Will you keep your family safe and live in peace, or will you risk everything and step into the unknown?”

“Victoria, your first marriage let you jump from a regular family straight into the world of the elite. You already scored your big break,” he said.

“If you hadn’t crossed paths with Ryan, we wouldn’t be sitting here talking right now.”

“You should count yourself lucky–it’s only because Ryan’s into you that you even get a seat at the table with me.”

Edward rattled off his words, obviously furious. I could tell I’d really gotten under his skin.

I had to admit, he was right. I’d leveraged my looks once to grab a shot at a better life, but if I dared to try for a second time, I’d have to seriously consider whether I had what it takes.

I remembered what Ryan said–if I ever made it to the top, our paths would finally cross for real.

But right now, all I had was my looks and nothing else. No power, no influence. There was an unbridgeable divide between our worlds.

Will there ever be a day when I can walk toward him with confidence? That all depends on what I decide now.

“What’s going on? Why are you sweating bullets?” Edward suddenly got up and came right over to me.

was the way he’d just scared the hell out of me, but I

who’d been waiting outside, suddenly stepped in and said quietly, “Ms. Murphy probably hasn’t eaten yet. Maybe she’s just

knitted as he checked his watch. “It’s almost ten–don’t tell me you haven’t

After the way he’s treated me–pushing me around, threatening me–there’s no way I’m eating anything he offers. I’d be cursed for life

on his lips. “What’s this, trying to go on a hunger strike at my

I leave now?” I asked,

his head. “I’m not letting you go until you make

up?” I

I’ve got

you have pressure?” I sneered, my tone dripping with

furrowed. “Keeping my family’s honor intact? That’s more pressure than you could

ego? You can’t take off that crown of yours, can you? Well, if you want to wear it, you’ve got to deal with the weight. You brought this

just stared at

silence, he suddenly broke into a laugh. “So, this

couldn’t stand looking at him when he smiled–he looked so much like Ryan, and when he did that, it was almost like seeing Ryan’s spirit

up your mind, just come up and find me,” Edward said, shooting me

a

a whole spread—some of the dishes were even hometown specialties. It freaked me

turned my face away, even though my stomach was practically eating itself and my gut ached with hunger. No way

there all by myself, staring at a table full of untouched food. My heart just kept sinking

if I keep caving in to fate, giving up every time and letting

least a shred of your