Chapter 33

Nan’s POV

David must be certifiably insane.

That is the only explanation for the nonsense spewing out of his mouth. I am unsure what I expected when he cornered me. Threats, or spiteful comments, perhaps.

But a love confession? I did not see that coming. His one-sided appeal continues.

“…didn’t end it right, baby I know that. But I saw you standing there looking so amazing, and all my feelings came rushing back. If we try to forgive each other, I’m sure we can find our way back to each other.”

‘Absolutely insane.’ I repeat to myself. Then his words register. I go completely still at his audacity.

“Forgive each other?”

David is so far in his delusion that he does not hear the danger lurking in my voice. “It’s okay. With some distance, I forgave you for abandoning me for that brat.”

I am speechless in indignation. Tonight is turning sour fast. Worst of all, he keeps talking.

“Eillen was never as good as you are anyway. She got herself knocked up and tried to force me to play Daddy. Can you imagine?”

He lets out an annoyed huff. Oblivious to my incredulous glare. “At least you never tried to force me to play Daddy to your kid.”

‘This explains so much about Eillen,’ I suddenly understand. ‘I’d probably a bitter woman too if this moron was making comparisons to another woman.’

Not that I really pity her. She had made her own choices. In a twisted way, I am suddenly glad that Eillen took David off my hands.

I study him. Trying to understand his previous appeal. I am not impressed.

His golden princely hair seems bland. His porcelain skin makes the blush of his face seem blotchy and uneven. The blue of his eyes look like diluted water compared to Lionel’s deep brown eyes.

Even his cajoling seems more sleezy than charming. ‘Lionel would never beg,’ I think absently. In comparison to Lionel, David is…lackluster.

“Not that this is an issue anymore.” This pulls me from my thoughts. I cross my arms.

“What do you mean by that?” I question.

“I’ve heard through the grapevine that you are about to be kid free in a little bit. Everything can go back to the way it was. I forgave you and will take you back without complaints.”

The last thread of my patience snaps. “I do not forgive you. I will never get back together with you.”

He is stupidly disbelieving. “Excuse me? What did you just say?”

I reply icily, “I said no. I am not getting back together with you. Ever.”

His face darkens. He steps forward menacingly. Trying to intimidate me.

But I do not cower from him. I had experienced much scarier than him. Witnessing Lionel’s dangerous aura and icy temper just made David look like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

This further angers David. His meaty hands reach out to grab me. I step just out of reach.

Then I remember that I am cornered. I will not be able to dodge it again. I will have to elbow my way out quickly.

My body tenses, ready to dart away. He reaches out again. I see an opening between his arm and the wall.

If I can just scootch through…I rush forward. But I am not quite fast enough. I can feel his hand ghost across my hair.

I am jerked back as he gets ahold of the chain of my necklace. It stops me as I try not to choke. He uses that momentum to spin me back around.

I bawl my hand into a fist. Ready to punch him and kick. Ready to scream at the top of my lungs.

‘I’m not that same woman you left heartbroken and desperate,’ I think ferociously. Rage leaks from his eyes.

He scans me briefly. Mouth opening to rant. But then he stops.

His eyes drift back down to my chest. At first, I assume he is looking down my dress. I am disgusted.

But his gaze is too calculating for that. I follow his stare. Down to my diamond necklace.

There is recognition there. And suspicion. I do not understand this sudden attitude shift.

‘Is he going to steal my necklace too?’ Hysteria rises in me. I try to break free.

But his hold on me is tight. Bruising. Fear begins to break through my rage.

“If you don’t let go, I will scream.” I try to warn. But my bravo is lost.

But David does not acknowledge my threat. All thoughts of revenge are now gone. He tugs at my necklace.

“Take this off. I need to see it. Take it off!”

I reluctantly removed it. He greedily snatched it from my hands. Holding it close to his face.

From the way his face tightens and eyes narrow, he seems to find whatever it is that he was searching for. I am uneasy. This can’t end well.

He begins to interrogate me. “Where did you get this?”

I do not respond. I just silently glower. Did he really think I would help him after the stunt he just pulled?

He does seem to think that, because he repeats the question. “Nan, where did you get this?” But I still refuse to answer him.

He runs a hand over his face. Stressed. I am unsure why he would be the stressed one on this situation.

I also do not particularly care. If I did not despise him before tonight, I do now. His frustration only fuels my quiet rebellion.

He watches me. Noting the stubborn way I press my lips together. His next words are calmer but no less intense.

“Tell me where you received this, Nan. That’s all I need to know. And I’ll leave you alone, you won’t see me again.”

It is my turn to be suspicious. I ask, “So you’ll back off, just like that?”

He nods. He says, “I will.”

Biting my lip, I answer his question. “I received it as a birthday gift from a…friend. There, happy?”

“That so?” He draws the last word out. “Let me guess, a dark haired, brown eyed, tall, very rich friend?”

Confusion leaks onto my face. I reply cautiously, “How did you know that?”

He ignores my inquiry. “Tell me, do you have any idea what this is? What the value is?”

I am silent. The way he phrased that…it made some of my doubts in the back of my mind rear up. The necklace has been such a source of joy for me.

It has served as a representation of Lionel’s regard for me. But some part of me had felt that Lionel had not been truthful when I had asked him about its price. Had Lionel disregarded my concerns and outright lied to me?

David laughed cruelly. “Of course you don’t. Can’t expect trash like you to know about anything other than the gutter.”

I blurted out, “That’s enough. I’ve answered your questions.”

But his remark had poked a sore spot. David knew me just well enough to hit where it hurts. I could see from his satisfied grin that he knew it too.

“I did as you requested. Give me back my necklace. Leave, and don’t ever come near me again.”

For once David does not argue. He had gotten his revenge for my rejection. We both know it.”

He puts out his hand, letting the chain dangle. I put my own hand out, and accidently brush hands with him. I try not to shudder in disgust.

He releases it to me with ease. “Have a great night, Nan.” He struts away.

I can only stare at the necklace. Angry tears sting my eyes. Once again David has taken something that brings me joy and ruined it.

Laughter spills in as a group of people pass my secluded hallway. I take a deep breath to steady my shot nerves. And slide the necklace back over my head.

‘What would Lionel do after this?’ I tell myself. Images of our arrival pop up in my head. He would not let others see his weakness.

So, I decide to immolate Lionel’s confidence. I pull back my shoulder and force a polite smile on my face. And walk back toward the plaza with more confidence than I actually feel.

Unknowing of the tiny shutter of a camera phone that would soon cause a splash in my pool of serenity.