The Mistress: Her revenge [18+]

Ch. 12

ESMERALDA BERTILLON

5 YEARS AGO

I was on my way to the club, half-awake and still in my pajamas, when the call came. Someone had found Dani drunk, and my number had been the first one they dialed. Of course, it had to be her. She'd been like this for weeks now, spiraling downwards, and no matter how much I tried, she refused to tell me why.

I rushed over, heart pounding in my chest. When I finally arrived, I spotted her—only, she wasn't alone. My boyfriend was already there, guiding her out of the club and toward his car. My steps faltered as I took in the scene. I approached, feeling uneasy.

"How did you know she was here?" I asked, my voice a little sharper than I intended.

He looked up, seemingly unfazed. "I was in the area and saw her stumbling out of the club," he explained, his hand resting on her back as she clung to him, too close for comfort.

I frowned, noticing the way Dani's hands seemed to linger on him, brushing over his chest and shoulders in a way that set my teeth on edge. "Dani," I called softly, trying to pull her attention away from him, but she barely registered my voice.

"She's drunk," he said, giving me a reassuring smile. "She probably thinks I'm her fiancé."

I bit my lip, trying to quell the growing unease twisting in my gut. "Yeah, maybe." I glanced at Dani again, watching as her fingers slid down his arm in a way that made my skin crawl.

But I was naïve back then, too trusting, too willing to believe the excuses. He'd promised me it was nothing, and I—foolishly—believed him.

"Let's just get her home," I muttered, swallowing the discomfort as I opened the car door.

If only I'd known then what I know now.

Days had passed, and Sebastian's absence lingered like a shadow, gnawing at my thoughts. It wasn't like him—disappearing without a word. He was always so responsive, a constant fixture at my beck and call, loyal like a well-trained dog. So where was he now?

I toyed with the idea of calling his office, but I knew it would be pointless. Claire, his dutiful assistant, would stonewall me. That woman had always hovered protectively over him, and if Sebastian wasn't taking my calls, it meant she was in on it too.

"Is the food not to your liking?"

Kyle's voice broke through my thoughts, drawing my attention. He sat across from me, studying my face with mild concern. He had invited me out tonight, insisting it had been too long since we spent time together.

I glanced at my barely touched plate. "It's fine. I just... have a lot on my mind."

Kyle set down his fork, leaning in slightly. "Wanna talk about it?"