Page 87 of Tangled Control

The wooden boards creak and tension builds as he slowly approaches. The heat from his body tingles my skin as he stops behind me.

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry.” His voice is low and broken. My heart shatters. This is his farewell speech. I wrap my arms around my middle, as if trying to hold myself upright. “I’m a pathetic wimp. I should have ripped those fellas’ arms off…” He laughs quietly, a bitter laugh, before he takes a deep breath. “But I felt I owed it to Alexandra not to make a scene. So, I played the role of her partner. I’m sorry.”

His little speech doesn’t make any sense. I’m about to say so when I’m interrupted by a silky voice.

“Rian, there you are!”

Rian quietly swears behind me, and whatever little I had left of my heart turns to dust.

How deep is this water? Will it cover me if I jump in?

Alexandra’s pink dress lights up against the dark shrubs and that obnoxiously beautiful hair clip twinkles. She gestures up thepath. “The fireworks are starting soon. You need to come, Rian. You don’t want to miss it.” Her voice is deceptively sweet.

I count the seconds. One. Two. Three.

Rian sighs. He turns his back to me.

I’m all numb as he chooses his side.

He walks towards her.

He’s leaving me. Although he really left me several days ago.

Truthfully, he was never mine. Just a short loan.

I thought there was nothing left to break, but in the hollow where my heart used to be, acid sears my flesh.

“Actually, I think I’ll skip it, Alexandra.”

“Ri?”

“Alexandra, can… Can we talk, please?” He glances quickly back at me and his Adam’s apple bobs. “In private.”

What… what is going on?

Alexandra must have the same thoughts as I, as she asks, “About – about what?”

“Us. Please,” Rian insists quietly, taking another step closer to her. Away from me.

Alexandra is rooted in place, not going anywhere. “Seriously, Rian. Do you think I’m going to let you be with another woman at our event? And yoursecretary?”

“Please leave her out of it.”

“Why would I do that? She’s obviously planned this very well. Walking around the office like the ugly duckling and then doing her Cinderella act at this party. You haven’t had your eyes off her all night. I must say, I’m impressed by your stunt.” The last sentence is directed at me. My cheeks heat. I want to defend myself but don’t know how. So, I hold my head high despite the hurtful words and quietly curse Rian for all it’s worth.Has Rian been looking at me all night?

“Alexandra, please can we talk somewhere private?”

The Calla heiress stands tall for a few moments before nodding stiffly to Rian. The world loses all its colour as Rian follows Alexandra up the path.

My eyes sting and a lump is lodged in my throat. I have no idea what’s going on, but I have to get out of here. With water on every side of me, I rush down the pier, but when I get to the end of it, Rian’s distinct voice drifts through the air.

“You have to believe me, Alexandra, Catriona has nothing to do with this.”

I stop cold.I’m nothing to him.

His words are like a slap in the face. A tear burns a path down my cheek.

“This is about you and me, Alexandra. I can’t lie to myself anymore. I’ve been pretending that we were meant to be my whole life. But we’renot.” His tone low and insistent, the words utterly confusing. I can’t help but continue listening.