Semua Bab Bound by Obsession: Bab 11 - Bab 15

"Well," a woman's voice broke the tension. "This just got interesting."I looked over to see a woman about Damien's age, stunning and sharp-eyed, watching us with amusement. "I'm Catherine. Damien's sister. And I have to say, this is the most entertainment we've had at a family dinner in years.""Catherine," Damien warned."What? I'm just saying, I've never seen you threaten Father before. It's rather thrilling." She crossed me, extending her hand. "Welcome to the family, Isla. You must be either very brave or very stupid to marry into this nightmare.""Maybe both," I managed.She laughed. "I like you already. Come on, let's get you a drink. You're going to need it."She steered me toward the bar, away from Damien and his father, who had started arguing in low, tense voices."Don't mind Father," Catherine said, pouring us both generous glasses of wine. "He's threatened by you.""Threatened by me? I'm nobody.""Exactly. You're not from his world. You can't be controlled or predicted. A

RECOVERY ROOM at 3:15 AMMy father looked small and fragile in the hospital bed, hooked up to too many machines. But his eyes opened when I touched his hand."Isla." His voice was weak but clear. "You're here.""Of course I'm here." I pulled a chair close, Damien standing behind me. "How do you feel?""Like I got hit by a truck. But alive. Definitely alive." His gaze moved to Damien. "You brought her.""I did.""Good. That's good." My father's hand squeezed mine weakly. "I heard what had happened. At his family's dinner. The nurse had TMZ on her phone."My stomach dropped. "Dad.""You defended him. Stood up to his father. Made quite a scene, apparently." He smiled slightly. "I'm proud of you.""I embarrassed myself.""You showed backbone. Show them you're not some weak thing they can push around." He coughed, wincing. "That's my girl.""You need to rest.""I need to say something first." His eyes went serious. "This marriage, this arrangement you two have. I know it started as a busin

"Cross." Marcus straightened when Damien approached. "Didn't expect to see you here.""Funny. I could say the same. Since you weren't invited," Damien's voice was icy. "Leave. Now.""It's a charity event. Open to anyone who donates." Marcus's eyes slid at me. "Hello, Isla. You look beautiful.""Don't." Damien stepped between us. "Don't look at her. Don't talk to her. Don't even think about her.""Relax, Cross. I'm just saying hello to an old friend.""She's not your friend. She's my wife. And you're not welcome here."People were starting to notice. Phones were coming out. This was about to become a scene.I touched Damien's arm. "It's fine. Let's just...""It's not fine." He didn't take his eyes off Marcus. "He cheated on you. Disrespected you. And now he shows up here, at our event, trying to do what? Win you back?""I just wanted to talk to her," Marcus said. "Five minutes. That's all.""No.""Damien." I started."No, Isla. You don't owe him anything. Not your time, not your attent