Chapter 27 All Pretty Ladies Lie
Today was the last day Elena had before Francis supposedly sold her sex tape to the blogs.
Would he do it? Was he that mindless and corrupt? Did he have any tapes?
These thoughts twirled in her mind and yet she couldn't shake the trepidation.
Elena stood just outside the front doors of the Thorne mansion, her arms folded tightly across her chest, the morning breeze brushing against her bare skin.
The sky was clear and a little too peaceful for the storm twisting inside her.
She shifted her weight carefully, favoring her injured leg, and sighed.
“Think. Just think,” she murmured in panic.
What was she to do now? Her plan to discuss it with her father, who she knew was the one man who had the power to deal with Francis, had gone terribly south.
And there was also Julian. He could no doubt make Francis stop his plans. But who was she kidding? She didn't want that sort of shame between them.
She had to handle this by herself without dragging Julian into it.
And if she was going to get out of this house alone today, she needed a plan. A believable one.
Something that wouldn’t immediately trigger Julian’s overbearing sense of control. She rubbed her temple, replaying possible excuses in her head.
“I need fresh air?” Too weak.
“I’m meeting a friend?” He’d insist on knowing who.
“I just want to drive myself?” With her injured ankles, absolutely not.
Her jaw tightened. That man had a way of stripping her choices down to nothing and then presenting himself as her only option.
But then what did she expect when she accepted to marry a man just thirteen hours after meeting him?
She was still rehearsing lies when the front door opened behind her.
“Elena.”
She stiffened before slowly turning around.
Julian stepped out, already dressed in dark trousers and a crisp shirt, sleeves rolled up like he’d been awake for hours.
She straightened her shoulders. “Good morning,” she said flatly.
He studied her face for a moment, like he could already sense what she was plotting. “You’re up early.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“I noticed.”
“I'm heading out for a spa date with my friend, Mandy. I'm sure you know her. You dropped me off at the cafe with her the other day," Elena said quickly, hoping he didn't sense her lie.
“I know Mandy. She's really who you're going to meet?"
Before she could respond, the sound of tires crunching against gravel drew her attention.
A sleek black car pulled into the driveway, stopping a few feet away from them. The driver stepped out. He was a young man with brown hair and a round face.
Julian turned slightly. “Perfect timing.”
Elena frowned. “Timing for what?”
Julian gestured toward the newcomer. “Elena, this is Clinton. He’ll be your driver.”
Her eyes snapped back to him. “My what?”
“I don’t need a driver,” she said immediately, irritation bubbling up. “I can drive myself.”
Julian’s expression didn’t change. “That won’t be happening.”
She scoffed. “Excuse me?”
“You have two options,” he said calmly. “Clinton drives you, or I do. I would rather you have him drive you since I have work to do. But if you insist, I'll take the position myself.”
She stared at him, disbelief flashing across her face. “Those are not options.”
“They are.”
Her hands clenched into fists as she considered sending Clinton off.
But then the image flashed through her mind, Lulian driving her through the city, watching her every move, asking questions, constantly hovering and interfering.
There would surely be no chance to slip away. With Julian, there was no way she’d make it to the Pittman Hotel to see Francis.
She glanced at Clinton.
He couldn’t have been more than a few years older than her. And he looked like the kind of man who would follow instructions just to keep his job.
He was obviously the lesser evil.
She exhaled sharply. “Fine. Clinton will be my driver. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”
Julian raised a brow. “That was fast.”
She ignored him and pulled the car keys from her bag, tossing them toward Clinton.
He caught them quickly. “Thank you, ma’am,” Clinton said, nodding. “I’ll do my best to serve you properly.”
She turned back to Julian. “You can do whatever you want with me,” she said coldly. “You’ve got three years to treat me like trash. After that, I’m gone. My family will be safe, and you’ll never have to see me again.”
Julian’s jaw tightened. “You think protecting you is treating you like trash?”
“You’re treating me like I don’t have a say,” she shot back. “And that’s fine. I signed that bloody contract.”
She moved toward the car, but he stepped forward, gripping the door before she could slam it shut.
“Elena,” he said sharply. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
She laughed bitterly. “I’m not your sister or your child. I’ll do whatever I want. And if you’re allowed mistresses, then so am I.”
Then she slammed the door shut forcefully. For a split second, she thought she’d hurt him.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as he pulled his hand away just in time. It was almost impossible but one second he was there and the next he seemed to jump away at the speed of light.
“Let's go," Elena said calmly.
Clinton hesitated before asking softly, “Where to, ma’am?”
Elena swallowed and looked straight ahead. “I’m seeing an old friend. We’ll stop by a café.”
“Yes, ma’am. Right away.”
The car pulled away smoothly, the mansion disappearing behind them.
She had a few hours to meet with Francis and get it done with.
To be safe, she’d planned ahead. She’d booked a café meeting with Mandy, something Julian could easily verify if needed.
It was just a decoy.
After that, she’d disappear into her real plans.
The café was already busy when they arrived. Mandy stood near the entrance, waving enthusiastically when she spotted Elena.
“Elena!” Mandy exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. “You look amazing!”
Elena smiled genuinely for the first time that day. “I’ve missed you.”
They exchanged pleasantries, but Mandy glanced inside and frowned. “It’s packed in there. How about we talk at the spa? It’s not far.”
Elena nodded. “That sounds perfect.”
They got back into the car, Mandy eyeing the interior appreciatively. “Wow! This car is gorgeous.”
Elena chuckled softly.
“You’re doing really well for yourself,” Mandy added casually. “So all that news about your family being bankrupt must’ve been nonsense.”
Elena’s smile faltered for half a second and she turned her face toward the window. “Something like that.”
She didn’t want to explain that none of this luxury belonged to her. That it had nothing to do with her father but everything to do with the man she’d married.
When they arrived at the spa, Elena turned to Clinton. “Wait here. Don’t come inside and don’t leave.”
He nodded. “Understood, ma’am.”
“If anyone asks,” she added, “tell them I’m having a spa day.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She took Mandy’s hand, squeezing it gently, and together they walked into the spa.