Unbearable Passion - Total Abandonment: Billionaire Erotica Romance (Unbearable Passion series Book 4) (12 page)

“What does she look like? I don’t remember any bombshells in his office,” I say, a lump in my throat.

“There’s so much to take in about her. She’s tall, she has tanned skin, or it’s olive or maybe she’s mixed or she recently came back from a sunny vacation—I wasn’t able to tell. I was across the street from them. I do remember the hair. Her hair is a massive mane of black curls.”

Good lord. Did Cassie just describe Ciara?

“Massive mane? Black curls?”

I think I’m going to be sick.

“Yeah. I couldn’t stop staring at her hair. It’s most likely why I missed the rest of her. I mean, she’s tall, she was wearing high heels and she had a mass of beautiful hair.”

“I’m confused. Bryce is in Silicon Valley. He left five days ago and he’s only coming back in a few hours. Are you sure it was him you saw?”

“The first time I thought it was someone else, but I saw the two of them walk into Cartier again about an hour ago. I saw them the first time a few days ago as I was coming from lunch with a friend. I’ve been debating for the past hour if I should call you or not. I think you should know.”

“No. You did the right thing,” I reply in a faint voice. My head is spinning and I feel like vomiting. Bryce is in town and Cassie’s description sounds eerily like Ciara.  

“You say he’s away. Could he have come back early?”

“It doesn’t make sense. From your story, Bryce has been in town for days and from the description, he’s been hanging out at Cartier with my sister.”

“Your sister? Are you sure? I’ve never met her, but the woman I saw looks…” Cassie cuts her sentence short.

“You mean we look quite different from one another. Trust me. I’ve known that since the day she was born. There are other women in New York who could fit the description, but it’s quite the coincidence that both of them left within a few hours of each other and they both planned on being away for exactly five days and they show up on Fifth Avenue twice this week.”

“Listen, Sofia, maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s not your sister.”

“It’s something. If it’s not my sister, then it’s still not good news because it means Bryce is jewelry-shopping with another woman.”

“I’m so sorry to have to be the one to tell you. If I were in your shoes, I’d want to know.”

“Cassie, you did the right thing. It might not be much, but I think both of us know there’s more to this story.”

“Do you want me to come over or do you want to go out for a drink?”

“No. I’ll be okay. I’m going to call Bryce and get to the bottom of this. Thanks again for calling.”

I hang up the phone and I’m paralyzed with fear. Is Bryce really in New York? Is he seeing Ciara behind my back? Did they concoct the story about leaving the city to spend time alone?

What the fuck is going on between these two?

Cassandra’s news devastates me. I don’t know what game Bryce and Ciara are playing, but I’m not going to be taken for a fool.

I head back to the kitchen. Suddenly I’m no longer hungry. I open the freezer, dig my head inside to cool down, grab the tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, open the drawer, ignore the teaspoons and grab a tablespoon that I shove right into the ice cream before opening my mouth to appease my sorrow.

How can she do that to me? Bryce? What a liar. He’s doing to me what his brother did to him.

I stuff my mouth with another spoonful as tears roll down my face. There’s nothing a tub of Cherry Garcia can’t cure—even the betrayal of the man you love with your own flesh and blood.

I knew it. I knew she couldn’t keep her hands off Bryce. It’s just another conquest for her. I bet she’ll discard him in a few weeks like she’s done so many times in the past to men who’ve fallen for her.

My anger is boiling over and my head is about to explode. I need to talk to someone before I do something I’ll live to regret.

I need to call my mother.

“Mom, it’s Sofia. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time,” I say, trying to sound normal.

“Oh, sweetness, I only have a few minutes. Your dad and I are about to head out to a little celebration, so I hope you can make it fast, or I can call you back when I’m in the car. I still have to get dressed.”

“Mom…” I stop, unable to let the words out of my mouth.

“Sofia? What’s going on?”

“Mom, I think it’s over between us. I think Bryce has fallen for Ciara. She wins again.”

“What are you talking about, Sofia? Honey, I’ve seen the way that man looks at you when Ciara is in the room. He only has eyes for you.”

“Well, maybe his eyes are all mine, but his heart belongs to Ciara. My friend saw them entering Cartier an hour ago for the second time this week. The only problem is that Bryce is on a business trip in Silicon Valley and Ciara is in Berlin. How did they make it back to New York without telling me? I don’t get it. I bet you they never even left the city.”

“This doesn’t make sense. Ciara and Bryce would never betray you.”

“He bought her a piece of jewelry from Cartier. Cassandra saw them jewelry-shopping together,” I wail before letting loose my sorrow.

“Honey, you have it all wrong. Bryce loves you. Not Ciara.”

“Mom, stop defending her. You always take her side. It’s like she’s the chosen child. You know how she operates and you know men can’t resist her.”

“I know this for a fact, Sofia. Bryce loves you very much,” she pleads.

“I called you for support, but I realize that I’ll never get as much affection as your chosen child. So I’m going to hang up now and keep eating my ice cream. At least I get comfort from shoving it down my throat. You’re giving me no comfort whatsoever. Bye, Mom.” I hang up.

I hate how Mom always takes Ciara’s side. She’s not even willing to admit that Ciara would have no shame in sweeping Bryce off his feet. I’m consumed with rage at my sister and the more upset I get the more I shove ice cream down my throat. When I hit the bottom of the tub, I know with certainty that ice cream isn’t going to do it. I still feel miserable and I feel like the two of them have stomped all over my heart. Maybe I need a strong drink? I violently open my cupboards, searching for alcohol. Luckily, I still have the rum I brought back from my trip with Bryce to Bermuda.

If I get drunk, I can’t think of the two of them together.

I’m about to pour a fifteen-year-old aged rum into a large glass when my phone rings.

Fuck. I don’t want to speak to anyone right now.
I look at the number and I can’t believe it.
I bet Mom called Ciara to let her know how disgusted I was.

“Sofia. How fast can you get here? I need to speak to you urgently.”

What? Ciara thinks she’s going to boss me around after stealing my man? “I don’t want to talk to you. Leave me alone,” I yell loud enough for Bostonians to hear me.

“Listen, something serious has happened and you need to know about it.”

“What’s so serious? I already know the latest news—Bryce has fallen for you. So leave me alone. Go off with him and be happy. I don’t care. So what if men prefer you over me?”

“You’re such an idiot sometimes.”

“Oh, so you’re calling me to insult me after stealing my man? Is that it?”

“Sofia, it’s Bryce.”
Did he snatch Ciara’s phone?
“This conversation is going nowhere. I’ll have a cab pick you up in exactly fifteen minutes. Get ready and be in front of your place. This is urgent and you need to be here quickly,” he commands.

I’m fuming at their arrogance. They want me to come over so they can rub their love in my face. They’d better be prepared for my fury. I’m no longer the shy one. I refuse to let Ciara walk all over me.

Well, I can take it like a big girl. They want to see me. They’ll see me all right.
“What, you want to break up with me in front of Ciara? All right. I’ll be at her place. Let’s get this over with.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I know everything.”

“Honey, you know nothing. Just get here.” He hangs up without giving me a chance to reply.

Let’s get this over with.

***

I pause a few minutes before getting out of the cab because the truth is I’m terrified by what I’m about to find out.

“Is this the address, Ma’am?” The cab driver is looking at me impatiently.

“Yes, it is. How much do I owe you?”

I climb each step to Ciara’s brownstone as slowly as I can. She’s obviously been waiting for me because she swings open the door as I reach the top stair. She grabs me in her arms and squeezes me as if she’s trying to shock me.

“I love you so much, big sis.”

What is she talking about?

“Hurry. Come inside.”

“Ciara, why are we rushing inside?”

Of course she doesn’t need to answer. She already knows why it’s so urgent for me to step inside her home. I’m sure they want to get this over with quickly so they can spend the rest of the evening together in her bed.

“Ciara, there’s no point in sugar-coating this. I already…”

I stop talking, stunned by what I see inside.

What’s going on? Mom. Dad. Cassandra.

My mom is standing like an angel my with her hands crossed under her chin.

Is she crying?

My father is comforting her and wiping away her tears. They look so overtaken by the emotions of the moment. I haven’t seen them this close in such a very long time.

“What’s going on? What is Cassandra doing here?” I look at my sister for answers, but she looks at me with a celestial smile on her face.

Candles circle Ciara’s living room. Bouquets of fresh white flowers stand in vases. I smell their beautiful aroma for the first time since I set foot into Ciara’s home. My eye catches the bottles of champagne on the table and all of the plates of food.

Is that a waiter?

I lock eyes with Cassandra, looking for answers, but she looks right past me. When I follow her gaze, Bryce is standing in the middle of Ciara’s living room. It’s as if he’s showed up from nowhere. There he is looking more handsome than I’ve ever seen him before in a perfectly tailored suit that fits him like a second skin. He smiles, his eyes finding mine, and drops to one knee. He pulls out a little red box from the inside of his suit and holds it in both hands.

What?

My heart is pounding uncontrollably.

“Bryce, what’s going on?” My voice is trembling because I can’t believe this is actually happening to me.

He reaches out to grab my hand while holding my gaze. His blue eyes have never been more beautiful.

“Sofia Angelica Herrera, will you marry me?”

I cover my mouth with both hands to muffle a scream of elation.

Is this a dream or am I actually living out my ultimate fantasy?

There’s that red Cartier box. He opens it and I lay my eyes on the most beautiful and biggest emerald-cut diamond ring I have ever seen. The diamond is perfect and it’s beckoning me, enticing me and promising me a future life with the man I love with all of my heart.

“Oh,” I gasp. “It’s for me?”

A lump forms at the bottom of my throat, and I blink as I swallow it down.

A wedding ring? Bryce wants me to be his wife?

“Of course it’s for you. Who else would it be for? Ciara?” He winks at my sister.

I laugh awkwardly and take the little red box with a shaky hand. I can’t believe this gorgeous ring is for me.

He coughs. “Sofia. Will you marry me? I’m still down on my knee hoping you’ll say yes.”

“Of course I’ll marry you,” I say, bursting into tears.

I feel delirious. I’ve never been happier in my life.

“Good. I needed you to say yes before I give you this,” he announces as he turns to Ciara, who hands him a second box. He holds my gaze and hands me the box.

My mouth opens and closes again as I try to find words to express what I’m feeling. My heart pounds incredibly loudly in my chest, and I close my eyes, still unable to believe that a man can love me this much.

“Sis. Honey. You might want to open the box the nice man gave you.” Ciara’s joke breaks my trance and I burst out in nervous laughter. I open the box with bated breath.

What can be more perfect than what he just gave me? 

“Oh my God. Bryce. This is stunning.” I gasp at the sight of the Cartier Love necklace encrusted in diamonds. Now I know why Ciara insisted on trying it on when we went shopping together a few weeks ago. I remember how beautiful it looked on her and never for one second did I imagine she was setting the stage for tonight.

“Sofia, you stole my heart the first time I met you,” Bryce says. “My heart has always been married to you and I hope you’ll remember that every time you wear this small token of my love for you.”

“Oh, Bryce. It’s perfect. It’s simply perfect. Thank you so much.”

What an idiot I’ve been.
I can’t believe I allowed my insecurities to nearly destroy this perfect relationship. Cassandra’s story scared me into believing tonight was the night he was going to break up with me.

“You had me going, Cassie,” I scorn, as I hug her.

“Have you ever tried arguing with your sister? She was determined to make this a special night for you and she wanted this to hit you from left field. We might have gone a bit far with our little story, but we wanted to throw you off for the big reveal,” Cassandra says as she returns my hug. “Honey, you deserve this. He’s a great guy and he loves you so much.”

“How did Ciara know how to find you?”

“You told Ciara a former employee had connected you to Todd and she called Bryce, who contacted Todd. Before you know it, I was having secret lunches and drinks with your sister and we were all plotting this amazing story together.”

I’m so dumbfounded that I can only shake my head in amazement at the lengths my sister went to in order to create this perfect night.

“Mom, you knew. I just called you and you must have been on your way here,” I say, shocked by her clever deception.

“What can I say? You don’t argue with your sister. When she has a plan in mind it’s as good as done.”