The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 31

"Hey,Ness!"My brother walked my way, totally casually as can be."Jeremy looks fucking pissed in the kitchen,Did someone drink his precious Macallan?" Finley chuckled.

"Something like that."I tried to hide how upset I was,and like always I was trying to shield my brother from my problems. Him hating Jeremy is just going to make things harder for me."I'm going to go home,Finley."

"What-It's still early?"His brows furrowed together."I think Mrs Austin's said something about a speech?"

"I know..I'm Sorry!"I placed the cloth down on the side table."I need to leave-like now. I'm going to grab my purse."I felt bad for dragging him along with me since he seemed to be having a good night,but I didn't want to leave him with Jeremy.

"I'll meet you out front,I have to look for my jacket."My brother left my side in search of his jacket. It was so like Finley to leave his things lying around, my Mom used to tease him about how it'll be something he'll have to fix before he marries someday.

I crossed the room and into the hallway alone. People were gathered in the living are and garden now,and some had already decided to leave after what happened. They came for a show and ended up getting two!

Purse..Where the hell are you?

I opened the door to the coat closet and there it was,lying on the floor. I picked it up and checked inside and thankfully everything was still there. When I turned to walk away I could hear raised voices from the pantry beside the kitchen. It sounded like Tom and Ava. I walked closer to the door even though I shouldn't have.

"I can't believe you did this,Thomas." Ava shouted."You forced our Son into a marriage that he didn't want.You took advantage of that poor girl, making her an offer you knew she couldn't refuse."

Crap-She knows!!

Tom released a sigh,turning his back to her."I did the only thing I could,Ava. I needed to help her in some way and this Marriage was the only thing that I could think of."

"With our own gain of course. Jeremy isn't exactly a model Son,but I thought he would pull through in his own time. I can't believe you did this to him."Ava shouted,again.

I've never seen her this angry-I've never heard them having so much as a minor disagreement before.

"I needed to put things right. Ava, Darling-You have to believe that I have everyone's best interest at heart here."

My brows furrowed together.What does he mean"He needed to put things right."I don't understand!!I turned around and walked away quietly in fear of getting caught,I walked out of the mansion and saw that Finley was already seated in a taxi waiting.

"Vanessa!"Jeremy's voice called from behind me and I turned around and looked at him. He was standing by the door to the mansion,looking like a mess in Armani."What are you doing?"

"Leaving-I'm going home."Home,Jesus! It sounds stupid even hearing it, technically it's only a place that I'm staying for a couple of months. It's not home!

"Is that him-Jeremy?"Finley asked,and I shook my head in reply.

I could tell that my little brother didn't like that I was so secretive. I've always been trying to be a protective big sister -but I've never given him a chance to be a protective little Brother. Even when it came to HIM!!"What the hell is going on,Ness?"

"Can we please just talk about this in the morning,It's been a long day and I'm tired."Please,I beg you to just let it go and go to bed.

"Tomorrow then."Finley turned around and walked towards the stairs, thankfully leaving the subject to rest for another day.

I walked through the double doors to the living room/kitchen,slipping my heels off along the way. I thought,If the cunt comes home during the night maybe he'll trip over one of them. Wouldn't it serve him right for hitting my friend. I pulled a bottle of Posh Red wine from the fridge and grabbed a glass from an overhead cabinet.

This is what I need!

I rested my bum on the kitchen island with my feet hanging down and I sipped from the tall glass. Sitting in silence,I released a long drawn sigh in thought of what tomorrow could bring! Just another day living this lie!

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