Free Web NovelChapter 225: A SUDDEN REALIZATION
Abigail
It had been one week since Owen Smith disappeared.
You would think he was a ghost with the way there was nothing on him. No credit card activity, no phone signal, no sightings. It was as if the earth had swallowed him whole the moment he ran from his house.
Finnegan’s men, his private investigator Matt, and even the police were searching every corner of the city, but it just seemed like a dead end. I was losing my parents’ case at this rate, and we hadn’t even had a chance to appear in court.
It had also been one week since Victoria announced her reconciliation tour. I understood now why Finnegan had been so furious. The press had eaten it up. There were headlines everywhere praising her as the devoted wife fighting for her family.
And now it was even worse watching her cling to him over the glass of my champagne, trying not to storm closer and grab her by the hair.
"So who’s the lucky man that gets to call you his?" Eric teased next to me, looking dashing in his brown brocade suit.
Tonight, we were at his father’s launch of his new state-of-the-art racetrack. The old man loved racing so much, apparently, it made sense how close he was to Finnegan.
The event was glamorous, there were bright lights everywhere, luxury cars lined up, celebrities and executives mingling under the open sky.
I was here officially as Arthur’s friend and unofficially as Finnegan’s date. But to the world, we had to remain strangers.
I stood near the VIP section in a sleek dazzling blue and silver ombre dress that hugged my curves, a glass of champagne in my hand. My bruises had faded to faint yellow marks, but they were hidden under the makeup.
Finnegan was a few feet away, speaking with a group of investors. Our eyes met for a brief second and he gave me the smallest, secret smile that made my heart skip.
Then the crazy woman next to him reached up to wipe his lips with her fingers.
"Oops, I thought I noticed a stain on your lips, honey," she said in her fake as hell voice, and I could just see the lights die in his green eyes.
Apparently, the reconciliation tour was Victoria showing up anywhere and everywhere Finnegan was, with a storm of paparazzi and pressmen while she played the loving wife before the cameras.
She had her arm around his, pressing herself against his side. Finnegan’s face remained cold and composed, but I saw the flash of fury in his eyes. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
He tried to step away politely, but Victoria clung tighter, whispering something in his ear while smiling for the cameras. People around them murmured.
"They look good together," someone nearby said. "I can believe they’ve been married for that long."
A hot, uncomfortable feeling twisted in my stomach. It was just an act. Finnegan hated her. He was mine.
But as Victoria laughed and touched his arm, leaned in close, posed for photos like the perfect wife, the feeling only grew hotter. My fingers tightened around my glass until my knuckles turned white.
"...Earth to Abigail? Earth to Abigail?!"
My eyes tore off Finnegan and Victoria to glance at the person before me. Oh my god, I had been so lost in my thoughts that I forgot I was talking to Eric!
"I’m sorry," I flushed, embarrassed, knocking back my entire glass of champagne. My eyes drifted back to Finn and Eric followed my gaze.
He let out a low whistle. "It’s Finnegan, isn’t it? Oh fuck, it was right in front of me. You’re actually seeing Finnegan."
My eyes widened as round as saucers. "Keep your voice down!"
His eyes glinted as he leaned in to whisper playfully. "It’s Finnegan you’re seeing, isn’t it? The way you’re staring at him like you want to murder Victoria with your eyes... It’s kind of obvious now. Damn, you two suit each other. But what about him being married? That’s... complicated."
I felt my cheeks heat up. "It’s very complicated. I know how it looks. I’m not trying to be the other woman, Eric. It’s just... things with Victoria are messy. She cheated on him for years. Their marriage was over long before I came along."
Eric raised his hands in surrender. "Hey, no judgment from me. I’m just wondering how you’re standing here watching your boyfriend get groped by his crazy wife in public. That’s some next-level self-control."
His words hit harder than I expected. I forced a laugh, but inside, the jealousy was bubbling hot.
Watching Victoria cling to Finnegan, smiling for the cameras like she had no right to hold him after what she did to him and Angel... It made my blood boil.
I wanted to walk over there and pull her away. I wanted to kiss Finnegan in front of everyone and show them who he really belonged to.
But I couldn’t do that to Finn. That would be stupid as fuck and would ruin a lot of things for him.
And for me. I mean, the public was going to rip me to pieces and call me all sorts of names without having any idea at all just how much of a devil Victoria was.
Finnegan was called to the podium to give a speech for the opening of the racetrack. I edged closer with the crowd, watching him climb the steps with that commanding presence I loved so much.
His eyes found mine across the sea of people and my heart fluttered. Then Victoria stepped in front of me, blocking my view completely.
See how she’s itching to be lambasted?
"Enjoying the show?" she whispered. "He looks good up there, doesn’t he? My husband."
I beamed at her. "It’s funny how dogs like to latch on to things they threw away when they see someone else take it."
That wiped the smile off her face and it gave me some peace. Until she blew a kiss toward the podium and yelled, clapping loudly. "Carry on, darling."
The people around laughed at her antics as if she were an adorable toddler trying to throw a somersault.
My blood boiled hotter. I turned and walked away, pushing through the crowd toward the quiet lounge area away from the main event. I needed air. I needed to breathe.
I found a secluded bench under a string of lights, sinking onto it and trying to calm my racing heart. The jealousy was eating at me.
How could she touch him like that? How could she pretend they were still a happy couple when she had destroyed their marriage years ago?
I hated that I had to hide. I hated that I had to watch the man I loved get caught up in some bitch’s wicked...
Wait a minute.
The man I loved?
I gasped, clamping a hand over my mouth. I loved Finnegan Wolfe. Oh my god, how did that happen?! Was I happy it happened? I didn’t know if I should be happy that I... oh no, this was a good thing... right?
I was so lost in thought that when a hand suddenly grabbed me from behind, it felt like my soul got sucked out of my body.
