Surprise accomplished, he thought, pleased with his plan.
Chapter Eighteen
Isabelle: Surprise!
I rushed home from work to get ready for the evening. Gabe was due to pick me up after he wrapped up a meeting, then we’d head out to dinner. I showered, lathered up with moisturizer in the coconut smell he loved, and dressed in one of the summer outfits I’d bought for the island but hadn’t gotten a chance to wear. I didn’t have any special jewelry to put on—Lance had held on to everything—except the few things I’d bought for the trip, including the fake pearls.
I attached the clasp and fingered the delicate beading, my mind immediately returning to the moment Gabe had pulled me to the bedroom by the long strands. Along with the memory came the excitement I’d experienced at being with him again. The feeling hadn’t waned, and I had the sense it never would.
I smiled to myself.
Since I had time, I decided to run down to the pharmacy on the corner and pick up a few items. I’d be back before Gabe arrived, and we were out of some necessities. The apartment was located conveniently to many places, and it didn’t take me long to buy what I needed.
I approached the apartment building, preoccupied thinking about the night ahead, excited and anticipating a special evening.
“It’s been a long time, Isabelle.”
The familiar voice stopped me in my tracks. “Lance.” I stared up at him, cursing at how he’d caught me off guard.
He looked the same, his blond hair perfectly cut, piercing blue eyes taking me in.
“Happy birthday, darling.”
I narrowed my gaze, wondering what his agenda might be. “I’m surprised you remember. It’s not like you bothered when we were together.”
He’d managed to turn any birthday outings into business dinners, expenses he could write off. Early on in the relationship, he’d seemed contrite, like it was unavoidable. I realized later he just hadn’t cared.
“Oh, come on. I always bought you expensive gifts.”
I gritted my teeth, knowing he’d never understand that those weren’t the things that meant something to me. “Why are you here?” He’d clearly sought me out and had some sort of agenda.
“I wanted to congratulate you on landing another sugar daddy,” he said with a sneer.
My hands curled around the brown bag. “You’re a pig.”
I no longer wondered what I had seen in him. Three months of self-reflection had taught me the answer. I’d seen what I wanted to see, what I’d desperately needed in my life at the time. I’d allowed myself to believe I was getting a man who loved me and, eventually, the family I wanted. I hadn’t looked deeper at the man beneath the charming smile, and I’d paid the price.
I pushed past him, not wanting to listen to him further turn my relationship with Gabe into something cheap and meaningless.
He grabbed my arm hard enough to leave bruises. “What’s the matter? The truth hurts?” he asked, spinning me around.
I swallowed hard, ignoring the painful jab at my self-esteem.
A quick glance around showed me the streets were quiet thanks to the heat wave suffusing the city. I couldn’t make a scene, call attention to us, and get away.
“Why have you resurfaced now?” I asked, hoping the conversation would be brief.
“When that bastard Gabriel Dare pulled his accounts, he damaged my reputation within the firm. I couldn’t do anything about it at the time.” He flexed his hands, showing his impotence at Gabe’s treatment. “At least when I heard you were struggling on your own, that gave me some satisfaction. It helped tide me over.”
Nice, I thought. He was a real gentleman. I remained silent.
“But even Page Six picked up the new happy couple.” He frowned now, the expression showing the real Lance, the unhappy, evil man who lived inside him. “Now you two are together, and his business is growing while I’m still trying to hold my portfolio of clients together and explain how I managed to lose the firm’s biggest asset.” Anger radiated from him in ugly waves.
“So?”
“So your birthday seemed like the best time to come wish you well. And to remind you that bottom-feeders like you inevitably end up alone.”
I winced, unable to control my reaction to his words. Lance had always used words as weapons. Unfortunately, I knew from experience showing he’d hit his mark merely fed his appetite to spew more hateful things. I’d try to escape, but I didn’t want him manhandling me again.