Chapter 19 Rosemary didnt seem the least but fazed by my cold demeanor , Instead , she regarded me with a composed expression .
Laurel , arent y invade me in ? I didnt budge .
1 dona exactly roll out the welcome mai for things that give me a headache you going to She raised her eyes slowly , unbothered .
Laurel , I think some things are better discussed insi le .
After all , you wouldnt want the neighbors ravesdropping , would you ? Especially with your mom still in the hospital A dark look passed over my face , and I shot her a slurp glance .
I hadnt expected her to bring my mom into this as a threat .
But she had a point .
Bad news spread like wildfire .
y temper and hit her right here , the whole neighborlined would be talking I let out a slow breath and smiled thinly .
Ten minutes .
Then I stepped aside to let her in .
Inside , Rosemary fixed her eyes on me .
Laurel , do you really want to break up with Austin ? I ignored her question and studied her instead .
Did Austin send you ! A beat passed before I let out a cold laugh .
Or was this your idea ? After all , if our breakup was because of you , the Herreras wouldnt take it lidutly .
No woman would tolerate the kind of relationship you two luve Her lips pressed into a thin line .
Laurel , its not what you think between me and Austin Rosemary , theres no one else here drop the act .
1 leaned against the counter , voice dripping with sarcasm Just as Alex had said , the Herrera family would never agree to call off the engagement .
Rosemary was their adopted daughter , and Kayden was a man obsessed with reputation .
He would never allow his son to be involved with her .
Even if Rosemary left the Herrera family , Amanda would never accept her as a daughter in law .
An adopted daughter and a daughter in law were two entirely different things .
Besides , I could tell Amanda was wary of Rosemarys past .
Whatever had happened to her as a child , it had left a mark Austin never told me much about it , but I always had my doubts about her so called illness .
If she were really sick , her condition would act up whenever she schemed against me .
It was probably just an excuse .
Rosemary flashed a slow , mocking smile .
You sure you dont need me in remind you Your moms still in the hospital , hoping youll marry Austin .
How do you think shed feel if she found out youre backing out ? Locked eyes with her , st door open steady as as ever .
My lifes none of your business .
If thats all you came here to say , you can leave now I turned and pulled the She let out a dry laugh .
Werent you the one who said you give me ten minutes ? -no more fake sweetness , just something sharp and cold .
If you really dont want to marry Austin , why the hell did you Her expression shifted no more follow Alex ? Were you planning to rat me to rat me out ! Trying Trying to get me kicked out of the Herrera family ? She stepped closer , her confidence creeping me out .
Let me save you the trouble , Laurel The Herreras will never throw me out .
Thesitated for a fraction of a second .
Where did she get this confidence from ! Then , I thought back to how she looked at Alex earlier there had been fear , yes , but not enough , What struc him .
She was afraid , but not terribed .
It dawned on me was how she still dared to use Even with Alexs warning .
Rosemary only looked briefly startled not truly afraid , which meant she had leverage over the Herrera 1/3 Traky Topeng sit they gribably get away with murder and never face a single consequenser 1 patients house aty shot II you kill a honar in well defense , would you go in jutj The jeunessed for brief second , I could how profitable a must be to be a certified hitatie sion yanked me back , to reality .
To you kisom schy Austin never touched you ? down Achill show my spine Ausim had asually told her something that personal yes as she let out a lom , errie laugh .
For a moment , she really did Nosi perngruber wow , next boshlay aller nisoving to Newtony Day Voting way with you that night .
You got donk he tilted her head .
But did you v gare voit through me , sharp and mocking , like a blade .
My he suvad from my feet all the way up to my ches is though someone fud tightened their grip armed it , and a leaned mu , bet voice barely above a whisper .
Austin was with me that night until early morning never told you because he was afraid of what youd do if you found out .
Thats why , after all these years , hes never touched you de sighed dramatically, shaking her heal .
Though , to be fair , part of it was his fault ton .
He left in such a hurry when I fainted that he didnt even Something in me twistest .
li teh like a thousand me tw mal insects were growing at my insides , but I forced myself to stay !!! y calm u think .
Id believe a word you say ? Lasked , my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me .
Kosemary marked , leaning in closer , Laurel , believe whatever you want .
But deep down , you know the truth .
And tell me , if this life ..
mess gets but do you honestly think any guy wasull want you after that ? She gave six years with Austin , how many people honestly think you two never hooked up ? e a sly gris .
After six y Het vost divpped to a whisper , like she was letting me in on a dirty secret .
Even my mom asked me why , after all this time , you never gor pregnant Wondered if you had trouble coneriving .
She paused letting the words hang in the air .
I didnt have the heart to tell her the real reason .
If she knew , youd never step foot near the Herrera .
family again I stood there , frozen for a moment , the realization settling over me .
So this was why Austin had avoided me all these year why he never wanted to be intimate , never talked about marriage , and even went behind my buck to flat with other women .
In his eyes .
I was no longer pur .
But none of this was my taulu I never imagined the man that night wasnt Austin .
And all this time , he kept making excuses to avoid me , saying he was worried about the Herrera familys reputation if I got pregnant out of wedlock .
Id been so damn naive , believing him .
Bat the truth ? We werent really living together .
We just slept in separate rooms , pretending to be a couple .
Dont forget the auction tomorrow .
He on time , Ill be waiting , Rosemary said , her voice dripping with sarcasm .
‚ a relieved unde tugging at The door clicked shout behind her , I just stood there for a moment , still in stock .
Then , finally , I let out a deep breath , à lips .