Chapter 20 55 vouchers " It's not what it looks like , " I said quickly , my voice trembling as I looked from him to the photo again . My heart was racing so fast it hurt . " Rick , please , I swear … " His eyes snapped back to mine , dark and furious . His hand slammed against the wall next to my head , making me flinch . " I said you could do what you wanted as long as it wasn't in public , " he shouted , his voice sharp enough to slice through the air between us . His eyes were wild , chest heaving . " You don't know what's at stake here . People are watching you , they won't stop and I know you don't understand why any of this is happening but you cannot jeaopardize this . " I opened my mouth to answer , but he stepped back suddenly , dragging a hand through his hair so roughly it looked like he might rip it out . He turned away from me , his shoulders tense and his breathing ragged . " This marriage is still new , " he said , voice lower but still edged with anger . He started pacing , feet moving quickly across the rug . " It needs to be convincing . We've been working non - stop to get the articles taken down , to stop the photos from spreading , but the damage is already done ." I took a step forward , reaching a hand out to him . My fingers hovered over his arm but I couldn't bring myself to touch him . My throat felt raw . " Rick , I didn't know . I didn't think …" He turned on me with a glare that made me freeze . His jaw was tight , eyes locked on mine like he couldn't decide if he wanted to scream or break something . He let out a strangled noise , shoved past me , and stormed out the study door . I hurried after him , my footsteps quick and light as I followed him down the stairs . The silence between us was heavy , pressing down on my chest with every step . I kept my head down , afraid to look at his face again . When we reached the bottom of the stairs , Rick's father was standing near the front door . His expression was grim , eyes flicking between the two of us like he'd been waiting . His hands were clenched behind his back , his suit jacket straining across his shoulders . " We need to fix this now , " Rick's father said sharply . His voice was cold , cutting , like he was barely holding himself together . His eyes landed on me , hard and unblinking , and I felt my stomach twist . Rick stopped in the middle of the foyer , breathing hard . His hand rose to rub the back of his neck , his eyes squeezed shut for a moment before opening again . He didn't look at me . He just stared at his father , his jaw clenched so tight the muscle there pulsed . I stood a few steps behind Rick , arms crossed over my chest to stop myself from shaking . I felt like I was watching everything from outside my own body . The grand entryway felt too big , too empty , every tick of the clock on the wall echoing in my cars . I opened my mouth , voice small . " Fix what ? I don't understand what I did … " Rick's father cut me off with a harsh look . " You need to understand that you don't have the luxury of mistakes anymore , " he said , voice rising . " Every move you make reflects on this family . Every breath you take outside this house can turn into a headline . And right now , you've given them exactly what they 1/3 Chapter 20 wanted ." 55 vouchers Rick dropped his hand from his neck , his eyes flicking up to meet mine for the first time since the study . His face was pale , but his eyes burned like dark coals . His chest rose and fell with each ragged breath , like he was trying to rein himself in . His father's jaw worked , fury practically steaming from his ears . " I organized something to fix this mess , " he finally ground out . " A private honeymoon trip . You leave tonight , the press will cover it as the perfect romantic gesture to silence the rumors . You know none of this would have happened if you would have just listened to me and marry the cultured sister and- " " That's fucking enough , " Rick cut him off but that was the least of my worries . " What ? " I blurted , voice rising , cutting them both off , " I can't just leave ! What about my daughter ? " Rick's gaze flicked to me , and for a moment I thought I saw something soften in his eyes but when he ooked back at his father , his face was carved from granite . " She'll be well taken care of ," he said firmly , eyes locked with mine . " I'll make sure of it . " The words stunned me . I knew he meant it , he might hate me , but he wouldn't let anything happen to Lena , I could just tell . This was all happening too fast , I would never have expected an innocent trip to end up this way . swallowed hard , turning away as my thoughts swirled . I rushed back upstairs to Lena's room . She looked up from her coloring , her face instantly lighting up . " Mommy ! " dropped to my knees and hugged her so tightly she squealed . " Mommy has to go away for a little while , " I whispered against her hair , " but I promise I'll come back and you'll be here with your toys and the nice people to take care of you ." Her eyes went big and round . " Are you leaving because of the angry man ? " bit my lip , fighting tears , " no , baby , mommy just has something important to do . " She hugged me back , arms wrapped around my neck , " I'll miss you . " kissed her cheeks , her forehead , her little hands , " I'll miss you more . " After I finally forced myself to leave her room , I packed my suitcase in silence . Every time I folded a dress or tucked away a pair of shoes , I felt like I was losing control of my life all over again . When I zipped the bag shut , a soft knock came at the door . A maid stepped in , carrying a black velvet box , " Mr. Sterling asked me to deliver this , " she said quietly , placing it on the bed before slipping out . I frowned , sitting down as I flipped open the box . My breath caught . Inside was a collection of lingerie , delicate lace and silk in shades of black , red , and white . Bras , panties , garters … each piece more daring than the last . The soft fabric gleamed under the light , looking so 2/3 8:44 pm Chapter 20 55 vouchers expensive it made my head spin . Heat climbed up my neck . My fingers trembled as I picked up a scrap of red lace , the scent of fresh fabric and faint cologne clinging to it . My mind raced . Was this really what he expected ? My heart thundered in my chest . " I'm going to be stuck on a honeymoon trip with Rick , " I whispered to myself , voice barely audible over the pounding in my cars . A knock at the door broke my thoughts . " Mrs. Sterling ? " a staff member called softly . " The car is ready ." I stood slowly , gripping the lingerie box like it might slip through my fingers , and followed the maid to the waiting car outside . My legs felt weak as I stepped into the night , the cold air biting at my skin , a hundred questions screaming in my head as the sleek black car idled at the curb . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!