The Convenient Wife

I’m not going to stay here and be made to look like a fool. Bolt might have had a plan, but this little game wasn’t in mine.

I’m not a fucking idiot and I won’t let any man make me feel like one. Storming off to the room, I lock the top latch so Bolt can’t walk in. I don’t want to see him. I don’t want to be near him.

He doesn’t deserve another second of my time. I don’t even want to share the same air as him anymore. As far as I’m concerned, he can go fuck himself.

Bolt had no right to judge me, who I was, or where I came from. My family has worked hard for everything they have, and they deserve to be proud of it.

If he wants a girl his father will hate, he’ll have to find another one, because I’m out.

I won’t walk with my head down because of where I came from. I walk with my head held high because of who I am.

His wealth means nothing to me. I deserve better.

Because I’m worth it.

14

Bolt

“Starla, let me in. The door’s locked, I can’t get in.” Pushing on the handle, the door won’t open more than an inch. I can see the metal lock is flipped on the inside, but I have no idea why.

Is she in the shower?

Knocking again, I stick my face against the thin opening and call to her. “Starla! Let me in.”

Silence.

“Starla!” Pressing my ear against the door, I listen to see if the shower is going.

Silence.

“Starla, come on, I’m starting to freak out, talk to me.”

The worst things start to run through my head. She’s hurt, someone broke in and they’re doing horrible things to her, she’s dea—

No, stop thinking like that.

“Star—” I start to say when I’m suddenly cut off.

“Fuck you and fuck off! How’s that? Can you hear me now?”

Sucking in a ragged breath, I crinkle my brows. She’s pissed, I can’t imagine why, but a sense of relief washes over me knowing she’s all right.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Slapping the outside of the door again, I wriggle it back and forth. “Can you just let me in? Let’s talk about this inside. Come on, babe, let me in.”

“How about no. No, I’m not letting you in. No, I don’t want to talk to you. I already told you, you can fuck off.” She’s holding back, her voice coming out through gritted teeth. Starla wants to yell, but she doesn’t. “And I’m not your fucking babe.”

She attempts to shut the door, so I push my hand against it so she can’t. “What’s going on? Why are you so pissed at me? What did I do?”

“Just leave me alone, Bolt, I don’t want to talk to you.”

What’s wrong with her?

“Are you upset that it took all morning with my dad? I’m sorry, I didn’t know—”

The door whips open suddenly and Starla stands in front of me with a handful of clothes. Throwing them into the hall, she thins her lids and flares her nostrils. “Go fuck yourself, Bolt, seriously. I can’t even look at you right now. You know what you did, don’t play dumb.”

“What the hell are you talking about, Starla?” My chest constricts as panic and worry flows through my body.

Tipping her head into her shoulder, she folds her arms across her chest. “Don’t act like you don’t know. You fucking used me, Bolt, you used me like garbage.”

“What are you talking about?” Holding out my arms, I open my eyes wide. “I don’t have a damn clue what you’re talking about.”

“Let me refresh your memory. . .” Taking a long step out of the room, she leans into me. “You had a plan, that plan involved me. You chose me to be your fake wife to embarrass your father! Are you fucking kidding me, Bolt? Am I that fucking disgusting? Am I really that far beneath you and your family?”

“Starla, let me explain—”

“There’s nothing to explain, Bolt. The only reason I’m here is because I’m fucking poor, it’s because I grew up broke, and not in a three story mansion. I’m not good enough for your family, you knew from the start what they would think of me. You let me believe that you actually liked me, but you never did, did you?”

“Star—”

Throwing up her hand, she crooks her jaw. “No, I don’t want to hear a fucking word you have to say. I know how you truly see me, and nothing you can say will make it better.” Walking backwards into the room, she grips the door in her hand. “I’m garbage, Bolt, I’m a low life, poor girl, and would be such an embarrassment to your family. I can’t believe I let you do this to me. If you want to humiliate your dad, you’ll have to do it without me. I’m fucking done.”