Page 10 of The Wrong Husband

I had decided to not dress up and had worn what I normally would. A black loose jumpsuit, an open white button down shirt and sneakers. I had taken the day off work, calling in sick. I just couldn't face my mother or sister. I needed to sit down with Damian and get that annulment in place. Then we could go back to pretending I didn't exist, and I'd try and forget that night in Las Vegas when I pulled a Britney Spears.

Of all the dumb-headed and stupid things to do, Emilia, I admonished myself.

I had been selfish. Damian had been drunk, vulnerable—and I took advantage of him.

I felt ashamed of myself.

How would I tell Bianca what I did? I had sex with her boyfriend—the one she'd been dating for the past three years. How would I tell our mother that the son-in-law she always wanted, married the wrong freaking sister? My father would be so disappointed in me and rightfully so.

I ran a hand over my face, feeling so damned stressed that I was just about ready to jump out of the tenth floor office.

"Who is she?" I heard a whisper from behind me.

"Bianca's sister," Devi said.

I didn't turn around, pretended I couldn't hear them because I was so fascinated with the city in front of me that my hearing was all messed up.

"No. What is she wearing?"

Devi chuckled. "I know, right. She's the plain sister."

The woman who I hadn't seen yet giggled. "Or the flat sister. She has a boy's body."

More laughter.

I wish I could say that this was the first time this happened, but I couldn’t. Once, embarrassingly it occurred in front of me because the person mocking me hadn't even noticed I was sitting, right there next to the person he was talking to.

It used to bother me a lot, or rather I used to let it. Now, I didn't let it get under my skin. It wasn't worth it. This kind of pain had no positive consequences. It didn't teach me anything. It didn't make me stronger. It just…hurt.

I waited until I heard heels clicking away and then turned to look at Devi. She was typing something.

I wondered about women like her, like Bianca. It must be wonderful to be so beautiful that everyone who looked at you truly saw you. What puzzled me was why, despite all that attention, they felt the need to say cruel things to someone like me. They didn't need to boost their self-esteem—they should already be feeling incredible all the time.

If a man like Damian noticed me the way he did Bianca, I'd be smiling forever. I'd never be in a bad mood. To be loved for just existing, wow, that would be something wouldn't it?

I looked at my watch and sighed. Damian had kept me waiting for twenty minutes now. I wanted to go back home to paint, not sit here and wait for Damian to explain how we'd go about getting an annulment while keeping it all hush hush.

But I couldn't leave. I needed for what happened in Vegas to stay there. I didn't want anyone to find out how treacherous I had been. My family already thought I was a loser, this would make them actively hate me. As much as they didn’t want me, I wanted them—I needed them. Without the illusion of my parents and sister, I'd be alone. I'd do anything to keep those relationships at status quo. That was the reason I'd accepted their job offer. The same reason I didn't argue about my salary, even though I knew I was being paid below market.

I was aware that it was pathetic, but I hoped that if I did something for them, maybe they'd like me.

But if they found out I not only slept with Damian but married him, that would be the end of it. I'd have no family. I'd be all alone and that scared me. At least now if I died, someone would care—they would, right? Of course they would. I may not be the favorite child, but I was their daughter.

My phone beeped and I saw it was my mother. Guilt made me nauseous.

Mama: Why have you taken the day off? We have that meeting with Allure, and we need you here.

Me: I'm sorry. I'm not feeling well.

Mama: Unless you're dying, Emilia, show up in the office by one.

Me: Okay.

What else could I say? I wasn't dying. I felt like it, but I wasn't. I looked at my watch again. Thirty minutes. Damn it, Damian.

I walked up to Devi. "Hi, I'm just going to use the restroom."

Devi looked at me. "Whatever."