Paradise Found

38

ELOISE

The wedding was beautiful even if it was the devil himself getting married. I made sure I kept my distance from George. I wasn’t going to be the girl to ruin the wedding, no matter how much I wanted to. I’ve plastered on a smile and bided my time. As soon as we get home and away from his psycho brother, I’ll tell Alistair everything his brother did to me this weekend. And I’ll tell him who I truly am also. He deserves to know the reasons why I am hiding my identity.

Tonight has been fun, and I’ve danced the night away in Alistair's arms. He whispered all the dirty things he wanted to do to me when the night was over, and I couldn’t wait.

“Sweetheart, over here,” Alistair’s mother calls out.

We walk over to where his mother is standing, chatting animatedly at a table. When I get close, my entire body pauses.No.What the hell are they doing here?

“I can’t remember the last time you might have seen Ali. It’s probably been eight years or longer,” Alistair’s mum explains to the older couple. “Sweetie, do you remember the Marquis and Marchioness of Winchester? They are our neighbors across the road. They had a gorgeous little girl called Eloise, and I always thought you two would be great together.” She sighs. Little does she know how right she is. “And funnily enough, Ali’s new girlfriend is called Eloise, so I guess in some way it came true,” she babbles on.

“It’s a pleasure to see you both again,” Alistair says, shaking my parents’ hands.

Both are staring at me as if they have seen a ghost.

“This is my beautiful girlfriend, Eloise,” Alistair says, proudly introducing me to my own parents.

My heart is thundering in my chest, my palms are sweaty, and they are looking at me, wondering what I’m going to do, and I’m doing the same.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” I place the fakest of smiles on my face as I pretend to not know my parents.

“I swear this Eloise looks so similar to yours, don’t you think?” Alistair’s mum asks my parents.

“I don’t think so,” my mother adds while looking me over, and I can see her top lip curling in disgust.

“I’m sorry, will you excuse me?” I say, interrupting the family get-together to head for the ladies’ room. I need to get away from them. I haven’t seen them in years, and they are starting to age.

“Do you need me to come?” Alistair asks.

“No, stay here. Catch up with your parents’ friends. I won’t be long,” I tell him. He kisses my forehead, and I make my hasty retreat from my past.

I head out the back along the darkened path to where the luxury portable bathrooms are located.Who knew there was such a thing?I suck in a couple of deep breaths because seeing them here, in this space and so close to me, has thrown me for a loop. Now I realize why I remember this place. We’ve popped in on occasions, but most of the time, I was never invited.

After doing my business, I walk out and straight into George. Seriously, could this night get any worse? Just touching him makes me physically recoil.

“Aren’t you going to congratulate me?” he goads.

“It was a lovely ceremony,” I say while gritting my teeth.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” The asshole has the nerve to lean into me, the stench of alcohol on his breath is overwhelming.

“If you’ll excuse me,” I ask, not engaging in whatever he thinks this is.

As I try and move away from him, he sneers, “Not so fast. I want to show you something.” He grabs my arm forcibly.

“Let go of me,” I yell as I try and get away from his grasp.

“I did warn you last night, Eloise. If you didn’t come to my room that Iwouldretaliate,” he says, leading me off the path near some bushes.

“And I warned you too,” I reply, rubbing my arm where he held me. I am sure there will be bruise marks in the shape of his fingers tomorrow.

“Oh, Eloise. It really is you,” a familiar voice echoes from the bushes.

No.

No.