CHAPTER 24: So help me, Veronica

CHAPTER 24: So help me, Veronica

Edward slammed the door shut behind him with a force that rattled the chandelier in the grand foyer. The sound reverberated through the marble-floored mansion, echoing like the crack of thunder through the empty hallways.

He stormed into the living area, and shrugged off his jacket, flinging the expensive piece of clothing onto the couch where it landed haphazardly on the couch in a rumpled heap, its soft thud bellying the storm that raged inside him.

His fists clenched so tightly at his sides that it almost looked like skin would break. His chest rose and fell in uneven bursts. The image of Sarah’s genuine smile…glowing, directed at that man, played over and over in his mind like a cruel loop he couldn’t shut off.

Benicio Hawthorne. The name tasted sour on his tongue. He had effortlessly achieved something Edward didn’t even realise that he had been hoping to achieve. Making Sarah smile genuinely.

His jaw tightened, the veins in his temple twitching. He hadn’t recognized the ache that twisted through his gut the moment she ran into Benicio’s arms. But it was there. And he had realised what it was now. It was raw, unmasked.

Tonight, Edward was forced to admit to himself that he indeed felt something. Something he had never in his life felt before.

Jealousy.

A click of heels behind him shattered the silence.

“You will continue to ignore me. You’re seriously going to walk away from me like that?” Veronica’s shrill voice pierced the quiet stillness, frustration ringing loud in her voice as she stormed in after him, slamming the door behind her just as hard.

“You can't keep ignoring me. What the hell was that back there?”

Edward didn’t answer. He stalked across the living room and poured himself a drink, the crystal decanter rattling against the rim of the glass. His grip was tight. Too tight, as a result of the strong emotions coursing through him.

He had ignored Veronica’s presence all through the drive home. Getting to the house, he had even forgotten about her very unwanted and irritating presence. He very much regretted asking her to the event.

She still followed behind, arms crossed beneath her chest, intent on getting her grievances heard. “You embarrassed me.”

Edward took a long, deliberate sip. The scotch burned down his throat, but it didn’t calm him. It did not come even close.

Veronica's voice rose. “I was standing right there, and you acted like I didn’t exist! Like she was the only one in the room. You had your eyes on her the entire night. Like she—”

“Don’t.” Edward’s voice cut through the air like a whip.

Veronica faltered. “Don’t what? You embarrassed me for God's sake, Edward.”

“Don't push your luck, Veronica.” His tone was sharp enough to draw blood.

Veronica’s lips parted, then snapped shut. But fury bloomed in her eyes. “What is even going on here? What is your fixation with Sarah? You know the kind of woman she is. Don't tell me you're now hung up on her. After everything? After she disappeared, after she tried to—”

Edward spun around with the speed of lightning. His glass hit the table with a thud. “I dare you to finish that statement, Veronica. I dare you. If you have nothing better to say, I advise that you shut up and get the hell out of my house. You know nothing.”

Veronica swallowed deeply. She knew to take a step back. Edward was not a man to be trifled with, especially when he was angry. But she couldn't afford to keep quiet or leave without speaking her mind.

She scoffed. “I know enough. She tricked you in the past, and now she's back to continue where she left off because she can’t stand seeing me happy. Sarah has always been jealous of me—wanting everything I owned. But for some annoying strange reason–you can't see it.” She paused briefly. “And tonight, it almost seemed like you couldn't stand that she’s smiling with someone else. That he makes her happy.”

Edward was seething in silence as Veronica went on her rant, having no idea how her nagging was like hot arrows piercing an already inflamed spot inside him.

His nostrils flared. “Careful, Veronica.”

Veronica ignored the icy warning in his voice—pressing further with her nagging.

“I noticed everything, Edward,” Veronica continued in a voice tinged with bitterness. “You think no one noticed?You couldn’t take your eyes off her! The way she looked at him—it made you angry, didn’t it?”

Edward’s silence was more dangerous than words. Her words were accurate. Spot on! He had never hated any man as much as he hated Benicio Hawthorne in that moment.

Veronica stepped closer, voice lowering to a pleading whisper. “I’ve been by your side all this time. I’ve done nothing but love you and be loyal to you—”

Edward chuckled darkly after knocking back the remnants of the glass. Veronica’s face momentarily shifted to confusion.

“I never asked you to stay Veronica. This sham of a relationship has not been working out for a very long time, but you still keep pushing your way to my side,” he growled, eyes glinting like steel. “You’re here because you want to be. Not because I want you here.”

That landed like a slap. Veronica staggered back half a step. “That’s not fair.”

Edward scoffed dryly. “Neither is this little game you’re playing, pretending to be something you’re not.”

She flushed, her expression faltering. “What are you talking about? I'm not pretending! I love you, Edward!”

“Well, I don't love you! I don’t need your love,” he snapped. “I need peace. And right now, your presence is the opposite of that.”

Edward took a deep breath, rubbing his temples. A migraine was starting to form. So much had happened already in one night.

Veronica’s composure snapped like glass. She was done playing the pleading card.

“You need to stop pining over a woman who clearly doesn’t want you! She’s not worth it, Edward. She obviously has someone else. He had his hands all over her and—”

The glass flew across the room, shattering against the opposite wall. The silence that followed was heavy, punctuated only by the sound of Edward's heavy breathing.

He slowly turned to meet her wide-eyed gaze. Veronica stumbled back in shock.

“Don't,” he snarled. His chest heaved, the rage in his eyes unmistakable now. His voice was a low growl. “Don’t ever say that name in my house again.”

Silence fell between them like a guillotine.

Veronica’s eyes widened as she watched him—really watched him. The man before her wasn’t cold and distant anymore. He was furious. Barely in control. On the verge of breaking something. Or someone. She was not foolish enough to become the target.

She took a cautious step back. “You… you’re scaring me.”

Edward said nothing. He closed his eyes, fists trembling at his sides. He rarely let his emotions get the better of him—especially anger. But the Maxwell sisters just had a way of pushing his buttons.

He was seconds from doing something he would regret. He could feel it—the darkness clawing its way up his spine, urging him to lash out. He had only lost control of his anger once and kind of hurt a woman—and it was Sarah.

He could remember it… Sarah’s face… the memory of her pain the last time he lost control. And that held him back.

Just barely. With a strained breath, he turned his back to Veronica.

“Get out,” he said quietly.

She blinked. “What?”

He turned to her again. “You heard me. Get. Out.”

Veronica’s mouth dropped open. “You’re kicking me out? It's late. Can't I spend the night?”

“This isn’t a discussion.”

She moved toward him, disbelief etched into every line of her face. “Edward, don’t be ridiculous. I’m not leaving because you’re having a tantrum over—”

“So help me, Veronica,” he said with an icy calmness.

She froze, staring at him as if seeing him for the first time. Then, without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the door, grabbing her purse with jerky movements.

She paused at the threshold, seething. “You’ll only ever have me. I will never leave you for another woman, Edward. You’re mine.”

Edward didn’t respond. The door slammed shut behind her.