The next morning I wake up to the sounds of thunder cracking and hard rain pounding against the windows. I get up and yank open the drapes and see the dark sky and a bolt of lightning shooting through it.
Checking my phone, I see a text from the work crew supervisor saying all work for today is cancelled. I was really hoping to get another eight hours of my community service done but it's not going to happen.
I take a shower and get dressed, then pack up the few items I brought. Maybe I'll have breakfast before I go if the dining room isn't packed with tourists.
As I'm about to leave my room, someone knocks on the door. For a moment I think maybe it's Aiden, coming here to surprise me. What if he did? What if he's here to tell me he doesn't care about work or Celine or anything other than being with me? Being a couple, a real couple who can go out and do things together and spend the night at each other’s place. I'm so excited about that actually being true that I whip open the door, a big smile on my face.
It quickly drops when I see Celine standing there.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Sophie
"Good! You haven't left yet!" Celine smiles as she goes past me into the room.
I shut the door and turn to her, trying to figure out why she's here. Aiden said she never leaves the city.
She's wearing a beige trench coat that's undone enough that I can see her white button-up shirt underneath, along with a thin silver chain around her neck that holds a square-shaped diamond. Glancing down, I see dark dress pants covering her thin legs, and black pointy high heels on her narrow feet. She looks so out of place up here in the country.
"What are you doing here?" I ask.
"I needed to talk to you and clear all this up since Aiden apparently can't bring himself to do it."
"Do what?"
She pats the bed. "You should probably sit down."
"I'm fine standing." I fold my arms over my chest. "Now tell me why you're here."
She walks up to me. "I know you've been coming up here with Aiden. I didn't want to believe it so I had him followed."
"You were spying on him?"
She shrugs. "I had to know the truth. I knew he was seeing someone up here. Daddy's cheated on Mother many times over the years so I'm well aware of the signs. I just never suspected it was you until I saw how you looked at him." She narrows her eyes at me. "Like he was yours."
"I don't know what you're—"
"The night of the client dinner. You couldn't take your eyes off him. I thought it was just a little crush but the more I watched you, the more I noticed it."
"Noticed what?"
"You had that look in your eyes. That angry, jealous look women get when some other woman tries to take her man." She smirks. "You don't seem to understand that he was never yours. So I'm here to make that crystal clear." She's taller than me and leans down to my face. "Aiden is mine. He's been lying to you this whole time. Using you for a little side action. It was never anything other than sex to him. A fling to mix things up." She laughs a little as she stands up straight. "You didn't really think he'd leave me for you, did you?"
"I need you to go," I tell her, pointing to the door. I'm not having this conversation with her. I need to talk to Aiden. I need to hear this from him.
I can't believe this is happening. It's my worst fear come true. Even though I had my suspicions, I really didn't think Aiden would do this. And maybe he didn't. Maybe Celine's lying. Maybe this is all some game she's playing to make me break up with him.
"Why do you think he doesn't go see you when you're in the city?" she asks.
I don't answer.
"I know he doesn't. I have my friend Anna keeping an eye on you. I believe you met her. She lives in your building."
That's why her friend showed up at my door. It was a warning, to tell me I'm being watched.
"Aiden doesn't come see you because he's with me."
What she's saying hurts so much I can't take another second of it. "Celine, I need you to leave. I don't need to hear any more."
"Actually, I think you do." She pouts, and holds her hand out to me. Her left hand. There's a big sparkly diamond perched on her ring finger.
My heart's pounding and my throat starts to burn. I feel like I can't breathe.
"It's an engagement ring," she says. "Aiden gave it to me last night."
I stare at the ring, unable to believe this is true. How could Aiden do this to me? How could he use me like this? How could I be so wrong about him?
She walks to the door. "Hopefully, knowing this is enough to get you to stay away. If not, you have some serious issues. You might want to see a mental health professional." She opens the door. "Oh, and about this little inn? Aiden's ready to close the deal. He probably didn't tell you but we plan to tear it down and build something people will actually want to come to. We've been working on the plans for weeks. It's going to be an all new inn and spa with modern amenities and spa-inspired cuisine, catering to New Yorkers who want to get away for a weekend without having to rough it in some run-down country inn." She smiles. "Aiden and I can't wait to get started on it!" She gives
