Trust (22 page)

Ariadne gazed at her, gently. “You know, everyone has a mark, maybe this is yours.”

Sophia shivered at this. “It’s an ugly mark.” She tried to locate Gabriela but couldn’t spot her from where she was.

“Ugly?” Ethan laughed darkly at her. “It’s a hideous scar. It disfigures you.”
Yeah, baby, let’s show these guys that you’re not so hot, perfect, and gorgeous
.

Sophia gasped aloud. “What has gotten into you, Ethan?”

“Does the truth upset you, darling
?
”

“Better scarred on the outside than on the inside,” she fired back, through clenched teeth.

“What do you mean by that?” he asked in a menacing voice.

She didn’t answer.

She placed a kiss on Ariadne’s cheek and got out of the pool, with as much composure as she could muster. She grabbed her shirt, yanked it through her arms, and looked for her daughter. Gabriela detested when people talked about Sophia’s scars. The little girl, in Alistair’s arms, watched the scene wide-eyed and sucked her thumb. Alistair’s face had turned thunderously dark as he listened to Sophia and Ethan’s argument.

Oh, damn!
She went in their direction, her eyes glazed by the pain in her head, the bitter memories, and Ethan’s words.

Without thinking, Alistair transferred the child to Sophia’s extended arms and cradled them both in his embrace. She put her head on his shoulder, violently trembling.

“Easy, easy,” he soothed. “Calm down.”

Neither of them noticed when Ethan got out of the pool, on her trail. “Take your hands off her.”

Alexander came into Ethan’s path. “There, Ashford. Haven’t you done enough damage for today?”

“Sophia, I think you could use a drink,” Leonard intervened, flinging Alistair a towel to envelop her.

Elena rose from her place, an appalled look on her face.

Sophia and Gabriela left the pool lounge, in Alistair’s embrace, with Elena leading the way and Leonard at the rear, leaving an enraged Ethan behind.

1.53 p.m.

Although the food was delicious, the lunch was a tense affair for Sophia. She hardly ate, pushing the food around on her plate. Even the wine tasted like acid, but, fortunately, Ethan had once again calmed down, as if nothing had happened. Gabriela had her lunch with Alice’s children and their friends. Ariadne and Gabriela were now playing outside and squealing with delight.

Coffee and liqueur were served in the square Blue Drawing Room, which faced the gardens.

Sophia sat between Ethan. Claire and John sat at the other end of the long sofa, in front of a huge fireplace. Next to John sat Alexander. Leonard and Alice were seated in the two armchairs. Elena joined Michael, Alice and Leonard’s son in the TV room.

Sophia gradually relaxed, Ethan’s arm on her shoulders, his hand caressing her arm, no longer bothered by the scar he said he found so hideous.

Gabriela and Ariadne entered the room through the garden doors, each one running to their mom. Behind them, came Alistair, Andrew, and Domitila, with satisfied smiles on their faces.

“Look, Mama, what beautiful flowers I picked for you in the greenhouse.” Gabriela showed a bunch of daisies to Sophia.

“I can make a crown for you with them.” She smiled tenderly at Gabriela. “You’ll be the Fairy Queen. What do you think?”

“All those fairy tales are bullshit.” Ethan said in a severe voice and turned to Sophia. “Don’t encourage such nonsense. The girl has had enough of them already.”

Gabriela stopped dead in her tracks. Blinking, she looked at Ethan, at Sophia, at the flowers, and started to back away.

Immediately, Alistair picked her up in his arms, exclaiming, “Surely you are the most adorable Fairy Queen I’ve ever seen.”
Fuck you, Ashford. This is no way to treat a child
.

Gabriela put her free hand on Alistair’s cheek, “You’re beautiful, you know?”

Alistair chuckled, “Beautiful is for delightful girls like you. Men are handsome-”

“No,” she interrupted, firmly. “You’re like my Uncle Felipe, beautiful. Because you’re handsome, funny, and kind,” she reaffirmed, in an unyielding and clear voice. “Ethan is handsome but he’s mean.”

You little piece-
. In a blur of a movement, Ethan jumped from the sofa, heading in Gabriela and Alistair’s direction like an enraged bull set loose.

Alistair put an arm protecting Gabriela’s little body and stepped back.

“You insolent--”

Oh, my God!
Sophia got up as quickly as Ethan, grabbing him by the back of his sweater. “Stop! Stop right there, right now. You can insult me. But never, ever, think of saying a thing about my daughter. She’s a child.”

He spun in her direction. “And you’re my lover. She has to respect me.”

Uh?
“Hah! Respect. You don’t know the meaning of the word,” Sophia glowered at him.

A small voice broke into their argument. “Mama, what is a lover?”

Alistair glanced at Sophia and answered Gabriela, “A lover is someone that loves.”

“But my mother doesn’t love him,” she insisted. “She loved my father.”

Sophia’s heart shattered in a thousand pieces and she sighed profoundly.
Gabriela doesn’t deserve this. She’s already been through so much
. She glared at Ethan, her eyes flashing, daring him to make a move and move toward her daughter.

Picking Gabriela up in her arms, she spoke softly, “Come with me, my angel. I’ll explain it to you.” She looked Alistair in the eye and bowed her head slightly in thanks, and strolled to the gardens with Gabriela perched on her hips.

Alistair’s control was hanging by a thread. He looked away from Ethan and left the room, shaking his head.
I need a distraction. Something to take Sophia off my mind
.

Sophia had had enough.
Ethan’s jealous of his own shadow. I won’t forgive him this time
. She left Gabriela in the TV room with Elena and the rest of the children. She climbed the stairs to her room praying she could avoid Ethan. She had a bad headache.

Her iPhone vibrated.
Oh, damn. An urgent message from Edward. As if things couldn’t get any worse
. She called him back.

“Hello, Edward.” She paused and blanched. “Oh, God. I’m in Essex but I’ll return now. Don’t worry. Call everyone and set a meeting.” She entered her room and started packing in a hurry. “As soon as I’m in a taxi, I’ll call you back.” She smiled as she closed her carry-on. “Thanks, Edward. You’re the best.”

Sophia entered the library where everyone had gathered, her overcoat on her shoulders. With Gabriela holding her hand, she approached Leonard and Alice.

“I’m so sorry, but I have to go back to London. There’s an emergency. You understand, I’m sure. Clients come first.”

“Of course, my dear.” Leonard and Alice rose from their seats.

“Promise me you’ll come back soon, Sophia. Ariadne and Gabriela are the best of friends now.” Alice smiled. “She’ll be disappointed.”

“I promise, Alice. Thank you for your hospitality.” She smiled back. “Next time your husband says I’m the one keeping him out of your bed, don’t believe it. He’s too good of a lawyer to be disturbed by my beginner’s tactics.”

“Beginner’s tactics?” Leonard laughed. “I want to avoid you when you become experienced then.”

“Gabriela, love, why don’t you go kiss everyone good-bye and wait for me in the hall while I say my farewells?” She pressed her lips tightly and waited for Gabriela to exit the room.

She felt Alistair’s green gaze searching her face as he lightly put a hand on her shoulder and kissed her cheeks. “It was a pleasure seeing you again,” he murmured.

She returned the smile with ease. “Likewise,” she breathed.

Ethan stood by the mantel, transfixed, watching the love of his life slip through his fingers.
No! I won’t allow it
.

She approached him, a tight smile on her lips. “Why don’t you call me on Tuesday? I’m working straight through until then.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the lips, a hand on his chest.

He whispered, his breath fanning across her cheek. “Make a polite excuse and I’ll forget your fit of rage.” His azure eyes were blistering.

“I didn’t lie. I really must return to London,” she answered in the same way.

“Don’t you dare walk through that door,” he pretended to kiss her and gripped her arm to keep her next to him.

“I really have to go,” she excused herself, kissing him lightly on the cheek, trying to disengage her arm.

“Don’t. You’ll regret it,” he said in a murmur.

“Will I?” she smiled darkly at him. “Watch me.” Tapping two fingers at the side of her forehead in a salute, she turned.

He closed his fingers vigorously and yanked her to him.

She lost her balance and shoved at his chest.

He released her.

Sophia fell sideways and hit her head on the marble mantel with a loud crack.

Blood cascaded down her face as a gash opened over her eyebrow and her vision went black.

She fell backward, but someone stopped her fall.

Strong arms and a firm chest provided her with a safe haven before she plunged into a complete darkness, without uttering a sound.

All hell broke loose in the room.

Alistair, who had run to catch Sophia, now maneuvered her in his arms and placed her down on the sofa, sitting down by her waist. Anger surged hotly through him. He wanted to kill Ethan.

With my bare hands
.

John jumped from his place, kneeling by Sophia’s head. “Ice, please, Alice. And clean cloths.” He pulled out his handkerchief and put it on the gash on Sophia’s brow, to stop the flow of blood.

“Jesus! How could this happen?” Ethan immediately moved to Sophia’s side and attempted to shoo away Alistair.
What have I done?

“I’ve got her, Ashford,” Alistair stated his claim but Ethan hovered nearby. He drew in several steadying breaths, trying to calm the adrenaline that buzzed through his veins.
It’s not the time to punch Ashford, Alistair Connor. Focus on Sophia
.

“Someone has to see to Gabriela,” Leonard said, looking around for his sister. “Domitila, find her and leave her with Mother and the children. Don’t forget to pay and dismiss the taxi.”

Alice came rushing back into the room. “Here, John. Is she still out?”

“Yes.” John assessed the wound. “She will need stitches. Quite a few.” He gave Leonard a worried look.

“Can you perform them?” Alice’s face twisted with concern. “We have a complete first-aid kit here.”

“I’ll need the kit.” John changed his soaked handkerchief for a thin cloth and put some ice on the towel Alice gave him, gently pressing it over Sophia’s face to soothe the swelling on her forehead and cheek. “Honestly, I would prefer a plastic surgeon does it. She’s too beautiful to have a scar on her face. Also, it is advisable to get an X-ray and an MRI done. She hit the mantel hard and has been out for too long. We have to take her to a hospital.”

“No,” came a faint sound from the woman lying down on the sofa. “No hospital.”

“You need stitches, Sophia.” As always, John looked calm and collected, but deep inside his eyes shimmered an anger Sophia had never seen before.

“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” Ethan threw himself over John. He braced his left arm on the back of the sofa and caressed her cheek with his right hand. “I’ll take her to the hospital straight away, Walter. Which one do you recommend?”

“No. I hate hospitals.” She tried to open her eyes, but the towel was blocking them. “I’ve had worse. John can patch up me here, can’t you, John?” She grimaced in pain. “Make room, Ethan. You’re crowding me.”

“Please, Walter, could you call a plastic surgeon?” Ethan said. “The best one.”

“Of course. I’ll call Dr. St. Michael. If he’s not available, there’s Dr. Longman.”

Alistair didn’t budge from his place on the sofa; his big hands resting protectively on Sophia’s hips, the wide expanse of his chest looming over her, as if a bodyguard protecting her. He observed the whole scene with keen interest.

“Gabriela?” she asked, worried.

“Don’t you worry, she’s with Elena, Domitila, and the other children. Do you want me to check on her?” His deep voice soothed her. Unable to stand it a moment longer, Alistair put a hand over hers, clutching it.

She brushed the towel aside and looked at him, bewilderment in her honey eyes. “No, thank you,” she murmured. “They’ll distract her. She didn’t want to go back anyway.”

John looked at Ethan. “Ethan, can you please hold this for me? Apply pressure.” He rose from his kneeling position on the floor. “I’ll see if one of my colleagues can attend to you at the nearest hospital, Sophia.”

“I’ll take her anywhere he deems fit, Walter.”

No hospital. No hospital. My mind can’t cope with hospitals
. “No.” Her hand gripped Alistair’s and squeezed it nervously. “I’m not going to any hospital.” She took the towel from Ethan’s hand. “John can do it.” She looked at John, her eyes begging.

“I don’t have my instruments here and, seriously, Sophia, I’d prefer if you did this with a plastic surgeon, in a hospital; then you can have the necessary tests.”

“Leave this to me, Walter. Please, call the doctor. And I’ll take her to the hospital. It doesn’t matter the cost.” To Sophia, he ordered, “Don’t behave like a child, Sophia. Here, let me hold this.” He took the towel from her hand and pressed it on her forehead. “Walter is a great doctor, but this is not his specialty. I don’t want you to have another scar. The sickening one your husband gave you is more than enough.”

What?
Sophia was astonished by a heartbeat before her anger boiled and spilled.

“You bastard! How dare you?” Sophia pushed up to a sitting position and swatted Ethan’s hand away with force, flinging the towel far across the room, scattering ice on the rug. She swayed as dizziness came over her, but held strong. Her eyes flared and she said in an ominous voice, “Back off, Ethan. Back. Off. Don’t you ever mention my husband again! I’m fed up. It’s over.” She added in a low voice, “
I
don’t need you to pay for anything.
Understood?
” She turned to John, blood flowing over her eye and on the side of her face. “Call the best plastic surgeon that can come here.
I
,” she stressed the word, “will pay for his services.
I
don’t care what it costs.”