“Gordon does not like Christmas trees. In his opinion, they are silly and messy, even artificial ones.”
And she thought about all the years that she did without or made do with an artificial tabletop shrub wrapped with tinsel and a few bulbs for the children’s sake. Since leaving Gordon, she had put up a lavish tree for herself each year, just because she could. And the huge, beautiful tree that she and Caleb had decorated in Hunter and Kata’s new house would take everyone’s breath away. It had certainly stolen hers…along with the deep kisses of passion Caleb had given her as they decorated.
“Gordon will be here,” she added. “He does not work on Christmas Eve and does not speak to his brother, which is the last of his family.”
“Definitely a miserable prick,” Caleb commented.
His face asked how she could have stayed married to such a jerk for so long. Carlotta knew that if she had to do it all again, she would find some other way to support her children. Go back to school, pound the pavement for a better job. She might have taken the help that Eduardo’s parents had offered after his death. Then she’d been too scared and proud and worried that his wealthy, influential family would take the children from her. Those fears had largely been in her head, and because she had been too frightened to ask questions, she had withdrawn into herself—and made an easy mark for Gordon.
No more stalling. She wanted to start this holiday season with a lighter load, a brighter future. Time to jettison the past.
“I will be back shortly.” She opened the car door.
Before she could step out, Caleb put a firm hand on her arm. “So long as we understand one another. You do not go in the house and allow him to shut the door behind you. You don’t place yourself at his dubious mercy.”
Carlotta nodded. They had talked about how to keep this confrontation safe. He didn’t like that she needed to do this, but he respected it. She leaned forward to kiss him. “He will not lay a hand on me. I will not allow him to put me in a vulnerable position. I will be back in two minutes.”
He nodded, the strong angles of his face tight. “And I’ll be watching.”
With a little smile, she stepped from the car and shut the door behind her. Yes, she might have been motivated to do this eventually, but Caleb…wonderful, solid Caleb, had given her the strength to both see that she needed to exorcise this part of her past and the will to do it.
Up the long curved walkway, Carlotta found her stomach tangling into knots. The familiar hollow feeling emptied out her chest. One foot in front of the other. Breathing was difficult as she knocked on the door.
Gordon answered a minute later in a pair of slouchy sweat pants and a dingy undershirt. His grouch expression morphed into something curious, almost gloating, when he caught sight of her.
Leaning against the portal, he smirked. “Seen the error of your ways finally? Did Kata’s father-in-law see how worthless you are, too? Did he kick you to the curb? Aww, and on Christmas Eve.”
“No, Gordon. For once, you are not dictating the conversation. I am, and you will listen to me. I never want to see you again. Stop calling my place of work. If you happen to see me in public, ignore me. I will do the same to you. Nothing that comes out of your vile mouth is of interest to me. You have never respected me in the past, but I am demanding you to respect these wishes.”
“Why? For the sake of our fabulous years of marriage?” he sneered.
“I would like to say because you are a decent human being with a heart, but since I know better, I will instead tell you that you no longer have the power to hurt me. Once, I may have been made of glass and you might have broken me into little pieces at will. Now, I refuse to let you crush me. You will never see my shards again.”
“Pretty speech, bitch. But I don’t believe it. You’re still the same pathetic woman who hobbled around my kitchen and clung to me the second I walked in the door every night.” He glared. “So, did that big ass**le you were with when I last saw you tell you how much he values you and what a beautiful woman you are so that he could f**k you? Did you believe him? Are you feeling all strong and mighty now that he pumped you up to pump his way inside you, you stupid whore?”
His contempt angered Carlotta, but it didn’t hurt her. Gordon was like a child lashing out because someone else wanted the toy he had cast aside. He couldn’t hurt her, not ever again. “No. Caleb knows how to love. He knows how to be a true partner. He would never tear me down to build himself up. Of course, I am certain that was simply your way of compensating for your very tiny penis. But I no longer care. I will not say good-bye, Gordon. I wish you nothing well. Instead, I think I will leave you with a very cheerful f**k off.”
She had never uttered that word in her life, and saying it now felt so damn good. So freeing. She smiled as she turned to leave.
Gordon grabbed her by the arm and yanked her back. With a terrible snarl and wide, maniacal eyes, he curled his arm around the front of his body, like he meant to backhand her across the face. Fear surged. Carlotta tried to tug herself free, but could not budge his grip. Instead, she kicked, hitting him in the shin, earning a nasty curse from him. But he gripped her tighter.
“Take your hand off of her right this f**king second or I’ll do this world a favor and take you out,” Caleb growled behind her.
Instantly, Gordon let go. Then he shoved her away, smirking when she stumbled.
Caleb caught her, then turned her to face him. The familiar comfort of his blue eyes, his searching gaze full of concern, set her at ease. “I am fine.”
He kissed her forehead. “Go to the car, Lottie.”
“Let us go together. I have nothing more to say to this scum.”
“I do.” His jaw tightened. “Wait in the car.”
“But I have said my piece.”
“I haven’t. Gordon and I need to be crystal clear, baby. Go on.”
Careful, she mouthed to him. He nodded and sent her off with a guiding hand at the small of her back.