Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 193(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
His gaze raked down my body, then back up to my chest, where it lingered. Considering where his attention tended to wander, I was a little surprised to find him often leering at my more delicate curves. Despite his lascivious stare, he muttered, “Probably because you need to lose some weight.”
I tried not to let his constant criticism of my body get to me, especially when my doctor had urged me to gain five pounds at my appointment last month. Not that it would do me any good to point that out to him. Chet wasn’t the kind of guy who put much value in anyone’s opinion unless they had a penis…or could further his career aspirations.
“You should’ve skipped dessert. The camera isn’t kind to women, and you’ll be spending plenty of time in front of them as my wife. Especially when I’m elected governor of the great state of Tennessee.”
Nobody was near enough to overhear Chet, but he still sounded as though he was on the campaign trail. My narcissist fiancé liked to hear himself talk, which came in handy since talking around him usually just led to more lectures and criticizing remarks. In fact, letting him talk about himself usually gave me a reprieve from his attention.
He didn’t release my arm as he led me along the path, spouting off about how he was all but guaranteed to win the upcoming election.
We were near the back of the garden when he finally ceased talking about his accomplishments and prospects. He looked me over again, then announced, “You’ll ride back with me tonight. We clearly need some time alone.”
The six of us had driven down to Atlanta to meet with a potential donor to Chet’s campaign. Originally, it was only supposed to be the men on the trip, but our mothers had decided this morning that we needed to come along. Luckily, Chet met us at the banquet hall because he’d had a meeting with another donor right before.
His firm tone warned me to obey his order without question. But after biting my tongue for so long, I gathered a little bravery and snapped, “No.”
Chet’s eyes narrowed, and his hold on my arm tightened painfully. I was sure it would leave a bruise on my pale skin.
“What the hell did you just say?” he growled menacingly.
Straightening my spine, I held on to my courage and hissed, “I’ve had enough of your attitude for today. I’d prefer to ride back with my parents.”
His grip became crushing, causing me to press my lips together so I wouldn’t cry out. I’d learned that Chet liked it when he thought I was intimidated by him. “You need to keep that smart mouth shut, Vivienne, or I’ll shut it for you. The perfect politician’s wife is seen and not heard.”
Chet had been emotionally abusive during our engagement, but he’d never come right out and threatened me with physical violence before. I had no doubt he meant every word, though. It was then that I realized going along with what he and our parents wanted would not only lead to a miserable life but possibly a brutal one.
Even though I knew my parents would disown me if I called off the wedding, I didn’t know that I could go through with tying myself to Chet forever. I had no idea where my spunk had come from, but I tossed my shoulders back and stated, “If you want the perfect politician’s wife, you should find a different woman to marry.”
Before I knew what was happening, he lifted his hand and slapped me across the face. Then he grabbed my chin in a vise-like grip that had me worried he might break the bones.
“What did I say about that smart mouth?” he sneered.
I was shocked that he’d actually hit me. But as I stared up into his cold, furious eyes, I knew I needed to get away from him. Forever. Even if it meant being rejected by my parents. As much as I hated the idea, I couldn’t put their approval above living in fear for my mental and physical well-being.
I stomped down on his foot, digging my heel into his toes. He roared in pain, his hold on me loosening just enough for me to yank away and take off running back toward the banquet hall. Hopefully, the damage I’d done would be enough to slow him down.
I circled around to the back of the building, headed for the roped-off valet parking lot. I needed to find my parents' car. Thankfully, my dad had a habit of keeping his keys in the console, which my mom complained about all the time. It meant I didn’t have to waste time retrieving them from the valet stand.
I glanced backward to see if Chet was following, so I didn’t see the men standing in my way until I ran into a brick wall of muscle wrapped in an expensive suit.