Joke Of A Marriage

"Rosemary."

The moment he said it, my thoughts started to wander in a million different places.

Why was she there?

Who invited her?

Was Nicholas going to become agitated?

Would she sabotage our party?

I inspected the woman who had hurt and broken Nicholas' heart. She was gorgeous, which was as predictable as it was depressing. Her jewelry and hair both shone brilliantly. Her radiant skin made it clear that she had received the same amount of buffing and pampering as the other society ladies at the party, but she also had a steely appearance. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but perhaps it was simply the icy, menacing look in her eyes.

She was a couple of inches taller than I was, but stick thin. I smirked remembering how Nicholas ogled my ample curves. Rosemary and I couldn't be more different physically.

And in personality, too, I believed we were poles different based on what I knew about her. I could give her a good beating any day.

She gave Nicholas her entire attention after giving me a thorough once-over.

"It's wonderful to see you once again. We didn't have enough time together on the yacht last summer. I had to restrain myself from swatting her hand off of his arm.

Wait a minute... yacht? Last summer?

When Nicholas abruptly drew away from her touch, I looked up at his face. He glanced at her, his jaw gritted.

"Why are you here?" His voice was colder than the north pole.

She waved her hand while laughing. "In honor of your marriage, Nicholas!" She leaned in and spoke softly so only Nicholas and I could hear. "Dad said I should come to clap at this big joke your marriage is. That is what all your guests think."

There it was. Those were the cutting words.

I fought against Nicholas' grip and was prepared to throw my hands.

It was time to put her in her place. Instead of calling me Willow Rowe, they would call me Terminator after I was done with that bitch.

I regret not having the opportunity to shove her teeth down her throat. Clara moved in front of us.

"Jefferson, please show Rosemary her seat for the night. It is time for dinner." Clara's tone wasn't rude, but it also wasn't respectful.

On the other side, Jefferson seemed ready to please Rosemary. "Absolutely." He took her arm, and as they walked away, they were surely having a pleasant conversation.

"What a shock!" Nicholas said, contempt seeping from his voice.

Clara turned to approach him with a loving yet critical look on her face. "Please condone her for tonight, son."

I huffed and gave her a puzzled look. She was surprised, but I didn't try to hide my annoyance.

I snarled, "It's not his fault. Why on earth was she even invited?"

I didn't understand why Clara's lips gaped and her eyes expanded when I asked her the question. She was about to speak when Nicholas cut her off.

"I'll be there shortly. Both Willow and I. Please take a seat. We're going to have a short conversation."

She nodded before walking away. Nicholas yanked me toward a nearby hallway in the opposite direction.

I was furious for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was that I detested being taken completely by surprise.

When we were alone, I cradled his cheeks in my palms.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

He pushed me up against the wall. gripped my waist and leaned in, bringing our faces closer.

"I'm alright. I'm just sorry that she's here and that you have to put up with her nonsense."

"The question is, why is she even here? Why would your parents invite her after what she did? It baffles me."

He took a breath and looked away. "Nobody is aware." He spoke so quietly that I hardly heard him.

Nobody knew?

"What are you saying?" I turned him by the chin and forced him to look at me.

"I mean, only you know the reason for the breakup. I have only ever revealed the true reason I relocated back here from San Rafael to you."

Despite everything, I felt comfortable that he had only confided in me.

"But why did you keep your family in the dark?"

His eyes were glistening with rage. "It was so embarrassing. It's unlikely that my father would have bought my story. He should believe anything she said."

I didn't believe that could happen. "If you had told him the truth, I'm sure he would have believed you. You are his child."

He gave a little laugh. "Yeah, well, you're utterly clueless."

His words hurt. I attempted to push him away while pushing back my tears.

"You are right. I don't know. I don't understand why she is here. I don't even know why you met her on a yacht last summer." I stared at him. "She must be right. Our marriage is a joke."

"Fuck." Before I could turn to leave, he grabbed me and turned me around so that I was facing him. When he put his forehead on my shoulder, I gave up fighting. "I apologize. I didn't mean it that way."

"So, how did you intend it?" I questioned softly.

He tightened his grip on me. "My father and I have a long and convoluted relationship. I've dealt with his criticism my entire life and I still don't understand it. It's understandable that you wouldn't know either."

His voice trembled with a mix of unrestrained rage and frustration. Good, that was exactly how I felt.

I sighed and encircled his waist with my arms. Gently, I asked, "What do your parents think happened with Rosemary? They must have noticed you were no longer together."

"I merely said that we broke things off without adding any further details. Years later, my father blamed me and he was furious with me. Another wrongdoing I had perpetrated against him tarnished his plans of marriage between Rosemary and our families. I will never give him the truth. From what I know of him, he would think it is my fault for being cheated on."

"What was that you said about a yacht?"

He sighed. "That was my father and Simon trying to reunite us. I believe she married Hector in an effort to rebel against her father, but when they split up a year later, she was back in his good graces. About three years ago, she approached me and begged me for forgiveness for what she had done. So that I would take her back."

My stomach dropped. I felt violently sick at the mere thought of Nicholas with that witch.

"What did you do, then?" Even I could hear my voice trembling.

He took his head off my shoulder and stared. "I told her to fuck off."

"But she thinks she has a chance with you."

He shrugged. "She only loves herself. She is so self-absorbed that she can't imagine how I could deny her." He rolled his eyes. "Nothing could compel me to give her another glance. I avoid her like the plague when I have to go to a gathering and she attends. I have gotten really proficient at it."

Even though the idea of her pursuing him frightened me a little, I grinned. "And you have me now."

He kissed me slowly. "Yes, I have you. That is if you don't run for the hills after the information I just gave you."

"Mr. Rowe, I suppose I will keep you. But I still find it ridiculous that your ex came to your wedding party."

"She invited herself, I am sure. I couldn't put it past my father to extend an invitation, though. My mother would never do it."

I scowled and clung to him more tightly, wishing I could find a way to patch up the rift in his relationship with Jefferson. His heart appeared to be bearing a heavy burden.

"This is the reason she was so hostile to me inside. She wants us to split up.

He laughed. "No matter what she says, don't let it affect you. She is the joke here." He kissed the side of my jaw. "By the way, you looked so hot when you were trying to fight her."

He nibbled my flesh as I laughed. "I have some time on my hands. I might fight with her if it entertains you. Where is the jello?"

He hissed, "That show is for my eyes only."

He surprised me with a kiss, pushing me against the wall and taking command of the situation. My hand slipped down his back to grab his hand. It was a shame that someone cleared their throat. Nicholas' moan almost drowned it out...

Almost.

But it was time to be polite hosts.