002: will there be hot guys?

Allera's POV

"Not my choice to make?" I echo his words, disbelief dripping from my tone. "You just— Carter, how could you?"

"Let me get dressed. We'll talk about this better, okay? Maybe even go to that new Italian restaurant that you—"

I raise my hand up, silencing him. My heart is breaking and tears burn the back of my eyes. I can't even process the words he just said, my brain feeling like it's dodging everything.

"I'm tired. I just...I just came back from the hospital, Carter. And this...this is what I meet?! My husband cheating on me?!"

"I'm not cheating for heavens sake!"

"I never agreed to your open marriage nonsense! We're married! The both of us! What you just did was cheating. Plain out!"

He scoffs, his upper lip curling in a snarl. "So what, huh? Want me to drop on my knees and beg for your forgiveness? Will that make you feel better?"

Before I can stop it, my hand reels back and flies out, striking him right across the face. "You bastard," I hiss, my chest and voice trembling. "Fuck you."

The side of his face turns red, brighter than the blush still spread across his face. He touches his cheek, then nods to himself. "No Italian then. Takeout? Or do you want breakfast for dinner?"

I bite down on my trembling lips. I can't recognise this man. Where is my husband? The sweet guy I met five years ago and married? Where is the Carter who made coffee for me every morning for three years because his was the only coffee I could stomach?

The tears come. Bitter, angry tears. The bandages around my midsection ache, like my stitches had torn open.

"I'd rather have a divorce than let my husband bring a stranger... strangers, into our marriage." I say and turn to leave.

"Divorce?! Allera, you love me! You can't fucking live without me!" Carter yells after me, his voice shaking the walls of the house. "You think you can leave me?! Go on then! Run! You'll come back, like you always fucking do!"

My fists clench as I halt in my steps.

For a second. Just a second, I contemplate throwing something at him. Something that'll make blood spill all over.

His words aren't entirely false.

I do love him. I've loved him for a long time. My mistake was thinking he felt the same way.

I glance at him over my shoulder, his half exposed lean body, the cocky smirk on his face.

My sister's words ring in my head: "There's no way you can get married and have a normal life. I'll bet half my fortune on it."

Anger floods my body. I grind my teeth, caught between hating my sister and hating my husband.

I fail. Immediately.

Carter waves, a self assured smile on his face. "When you're ready to talk, I'll be right here." He says.

Copper floods my mouth. The way he says it, like he knows. I wouldn't leave. Shy, innocent Allera and her foolish love. She wouldn't leave.

I leave the house, nearly running, scared of what I'd do if I remain there any longer.

The evening sun is too bright. The air too crisp. My heartbeat echoes in my head. I try to calm my heart by breathing large gulps of air.

My phone rings. I fish it out of my purse and swipe across the screen, my eyes too blurry for me to see the caller. "Hello?"

There's silence on the other end lasting two seconds. Then a deep voice speaks heavily accented Japanese. "Princess, have you been crying?"

My breath hitches in my throat. My back straightens, and my eyes go dry. "Grandpa. The rumours are true. You always know when I'm not fine." I reply in Japanese.

He chuckles. One that hides a threat. "Who do I need to remove?"

I pause. He might as well be asking if I've eaten.

My eyes turn to the house. What is carter doing now? Probably calling the cleaners. Or dancing to a jazz song.

"Princess?"

"No one," I reply. "I can handle this."

He sighs. "Is it your stupid husband?" Vitriol coats his every word. "That boy is no good for you. Say the word, princess."

I walk out of the driveway and into the street, hailing down a cab. "I'm fine, grandpa. I mean it." My voice trembles, and the tears return.

The sight of Carter's face in the throws of ecstasy flashes through my mind. I don't think I've ever seen him enjoy sex that much, at least not with me. I bite my tongue hard.

"Come home, princess. The servants will prepare the mansion for you."

I laugh. If only it was that easy. "I have work, grandpa. I can't drop everything and leave."

I could. Heaven knows I could drop everything, get on the next flight to Japan, and collapse into my grandpa's arms.

But if Grandpa Kazuo sees me with tears in my eyes, news of Carter's death will be all over the internet by tomorrow morning.

The cab driver catches my eyes in the rearview mirror, mildly concerned. I try to flash him a smile and fail. He quickly looks away.

"I can buy the company."

"Please don't." I sigh. He's serious, just like when he bought the restaurant I worked part time at five years ago, just so I could have better hours. "I'm really fine. If there's ever anything I can't handle, I'll call you. I promise it."

He doesn't reply for a while. Then: "Very well." And the line clocks dead.

I slump into the backseat, my eyes drifting shut. I only get a few seconds of silence before the driver asks where I'm going.

Where am I even going?

I just wanted to get away from the house. I didn't trust myself to not hurt Carter, or do something I'd regret.

The easiest thing to do now would be to take Grandpa Kazuo's offer.

No. I've told myself I won't do that anymore. No matter what. Not after the last time...I don't want to think of it.

I let out a heavy sigh and rub my temples. "Bill's Avenue." The words taste like ash on my tongue.

I can imagine my sister's face when she sees me. I can imagine her gloating, demanding her pay. Oh, how she'd tease me till the day I die. It's a grim image, one I don't want to see.

My fists clench.

Fuck her. And fuck Carter too.

I'm not going to lose this stupid bet. Carter wants an open marriage? He has no idea what he just did.

My phone dings with a text.

"That little..." I mutter, scowling at the screen. Of course it's Daphne, my twin sister. Just the devil I was thinking about.

"Come over. We have an event to attend tonight. Hope marriage hasn't made you fat, got you a dress." The text reads, offering no explanation to this 'event.'

"What is it? I'm busy." I text back, even though I'm currently on my way there.

"It's Rosen Gallery's 100th exhibition. She wants you to be there. Have your business proposal ready though." Daphne texts back.

My business proposal? Oh, it's finally happening.

Rosen Gallery, the largest art gallery in the country owned by our maternal Grandmother, Glenda Hale. Which means what Daphne, as their top artist, will be there.

While I don't want to face my bitch of a sister, this could be a golden opportunity.

I text Daphne back. "Will there be hot guys?"