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Chapter 35

Rebecca’s mind was a jumbled mess of emotions and sensations as she stumbled out of the alleyway, leaving Harvey alone. She immediately altered her outfit, her mind spinning with guilt, perplexity, and an odd, twisted joy. How could she allow this to happen? How could she let Harvey take her back into his arms so easily?

Her phone buzzed again, and she saw another missed call from Nicholas. Panic washed over her. What was she going to say to him? How could she face him after what just happened? She knew they hadn’t committed to each other, but she was frightened of being labeled as a cheap, or even worse, idiot, maybe because that sounded so true.

With trembling hands, she answered the next call. “Nic, I’m so sorry. Someone almost robbed me and I-”

“Becky, are you okay?” Nicholas’s voice was filled with concern. “You sound out of breath.

“I’m fine. I’m all safe.” Rebecca lied, trying to steady her voice. “Just… New York things, you know? It’s always crazy. I’m on my way back now.”

“Okay, just be safe. I was getting worried.”

Rebecca hung up and took a moment to compose herself. She couldn’t let Nicholas suspect anything. She needed to push what had just happened with Harvey to the back of her mind, at least for now. She gripped the bag filled with croissants that Harvey had bought and walked back to the apartment, forcing herself to focus on her unsteady

steps.

When she finally walked through the door, Nicholas greeted her with a relieved smile. “There you are! I was starting to think you got lost.”

Rebecca forced a laugh. “Yeah, the queue was ridiculous. I got the croissants, but the juice store is already closed. Sorry.”

Nicholas got closer to her, checking her body. “Are you hurt? You said you almost got robbed?” he asked, worried. Rebecca swallowed, nervous. “I’m fine. Falmost fell, but I’m not hurt,” she answered, avoiding Nicholas‘ gaze.

They settled in for a movie marathon, but Rebecca’s thoughts were far from the screen. She felt like she was walking on a tightrope, torn between her need for vengeance against Alicia, her newfound suspicions about Mia, and the complicated mess that

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Harvey had just brought into her life. Also, there was Nicholas, who appeared to be earnest yet suspicious.

As the movie played, Rebecca found herself glancing at Nicholas, trying to read hist expressions, and his body language. Was he hiding something? Or was she just paranoid?

“Nic,” she said softly during a quiet moment in the movie. “Can I ask you something?”

Nicholas looked over at her, his expression open and attentive. “Of course, anything.”

Rebecca hesitated, then decided to go for it. Do you ever feel like… I don’t know, like you’re not telling me everything? Like there’s something you’re hiding?”

Nicholas’s brow furrowed. “Becky, what do you mean? I’m not hiding anything from

you.”

“I know, it’s just… I feel like there’s so much happening, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.”

Nicholas reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I promise you, I’m not hiding anything. I care about you so much, and I would never want to hurt you.”

“Um, no offense, but about the sleeping pills that time…”

Nicholas cleared his throat quietly. “I understand; it was a mistake.” I lied to you because I was terrified you would leave me. I swear, I had no other motives, he stated solemnly.

Rebecca smiled awkwardly. She knew Nicholas would say that, and even if he was lying, he wouldn’t possibly admit it.

Nicholas lifted an eyebrow. “Is there anything left in your head that you want to ask? I’ll answer all of it,” he inquired softly.

Rebecca gulped hard. Of course, she had many questions in her mind, but all she did was shake her head and grin slightly. “No, that’s enough. Thanks….”

The next morning, she awoke feeling unsure. She could always see Harvey’s face when she closed her eyes. She could feel his breath on her neck and his fingers on every inch of her skin. As if everything had been predetermined by the universe, her cell phone suddenly buzzed, and it was an incoming text from Harvey.

“Last night was so amazing, I can’t wait to do it all over again.”

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Rebecca felt a knot in her stomach. Deep down in her heart, she realized Harvey was probably simply too used to her body, for despite their loveless marriage, they had at fairly passionate bed relationship.

“Becca, don’t be silly! Ignore him,” he growled. She smacked her check lightly, hating herself.

She hid her cell phone under her pillow so she wouldn’t be tempted to contact Harvey. That day, she only had one endorsement recording appointment, after that, her schedule would be completely empty.

While she was getting ready, she heard a knock on her bedroom door. She opened the door hurriedly, keeping the towel wrapped over her body.

“Yes, Nic?”

“Um…” Nicholas glanced at Rebecca from head to toe before taking a step closer, causing her to back away uneasily. “Nic?”

Nicholas gulped hard. “Um, yes! I’m heading to the office. Do you have any schedule today?” He asked in a voice strained with intense desire.

Rebecca nodded, holding her towel to keep it from falling down. “I’m full until eight, but maybe I’ll have dinner at home,” she said casually, hoping Nicholas wouldn’t think she had something planned for the day.

Nicholas nodded. “Okay, see you at dinner?”

“Yeah, sure!” Rebecca took a step back and swiftly slipped behind the door.

She peered through the hole in her bedroom door and saw Nicholas still standing in front of it as if he was contemplating something. Frightened, she quickly took out the pepper spray that she always had in her bag and clutched it hard.

“If he dares to touch me, I swear I’ll make him blind…”

*****