Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

Barrie turned, a nasty expression on his face.  He strode towards her.  “If you really want to know, she doesn’t hassle me all the time for a damned baby.  Sex with her is fun … stimulating … easy.  There’s no desperation about it, not like there is with you.  I’m fed up with your constant neediness and desire to procreate.  You don’t give a toss about anything else these days.  I’m fed up with it, Vicky.  I’m fed up with you … and I’m going to Oxford tomorrow to be with Delia for her trial … and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it.”

“Don’t you dare,” Vicky gasped.  “It’s bad enough that you sneak around but to blatantly show yourselves in public ….”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Vicky.  What could be more natural that a member of the family being there with her … and anyway, I want to.  I have to.  She’s promised a nice little sum of money for supporting her but even if she hadn’t, she’ll be really grateful if she gets off … and I receive far more physical satisfaction from her than I ever have from you … she’s damned good in bed, I have to say.”

Every word he spoke struck a dagger through Vicky’s heart.  He was wounding her far more than he could ever realise.  The man she had fallen so heavily for was nothing but a rotten cheat and he was loving every minute of humiliating her.  It hurt so badly, she didn’t know whether to cry, scream, or hit him.

“I would have done anything for you,” she said quietly, remaining composed.  “I loved you so intensely … and yes, I wanted your baby.  But not anymore.  You’ve finally killed anything between us.  I loathe you now and if you do go to Oxford to be with Delia, I’ll … I’ll divorce you.”

It had been a frightening mistake and one which she wouldn’t forget in a hurry.  In one sudden movement, Barrie threw himself at her, gripping her arms tightly and bending her over the back of the sofa.  Vicky was scared to death as his eyes flashed angrily and couldn’t believe this was the man she had loved and cherished for so long.

“You, madam, will never … never … divorce me,” he growled.  “I worked long and hard on you my girl and it worked, didn’t it?  You silly little bitch.  Yes …,” he laughed drunkenly as he saw how terrified she was.  “I really got you worked up …  just so you’d marry me.  You really didn’t see that all I wanted was the prestige of being married to a Duke’s daughter and the doors it would open … and your money, of course … and anything else I could get from your precious father.”

“No, Barrie … please … please … let me go.  You’re hurting me,” she cried, having known for a while that what he said was true but hearing it spoken aloud was too much to bear.  “When I tell father about this ….”

Barrie licked his lips and curled her hair around his fingers, tugging tightly and bringing tears to her eyes as she cried out in pain.

“You’ll not tell anyone.  We will stay married whatever happens.  I don’t even mind if you have an affair … I’m no longer interested in you … but whatever you do my darling, don’t threaten or even attempt to divorce me.  I’ve too much at stake in this marriage and for that matter, my relationship with your sister.  It could all prove rather lucrative if you keep your mouth shut … but if you do try and do anything silly ….”  his eyes narrowed.  “Remember who gets the insurance money if you have a little accident.”

He let go of her sharply and she fell to the floor unceremoniously.

“Don’t worry, darling,” he continued.  “I shan't do anything if you play ball.  Just leave me alone to do as I wish and we’ll get along famously.”

He had left for Oxford the next morning.  Vicky didn’t see him go as he had slept in the guest room but she heard him banging around as he packed and then the crash of the door when he left the flat.  Vicky lay in the marital bed, feeling fragile and utterly devastated now all her dreams were brutally shattered.  Emotionally sore and bruised, his words and their meaning reverberated through her head time and time again.  She had loved Barrie so much but he had never truly loved her, which she knew everyone close to her had thought but never dared to mention and now he had finally revealed that he was superficial and callous and only wanted her for what she could bring in monetary terms  . . .  and he really preferred her avaricious and devious sister.  Vicky was a broken woman.  If Barrie was to be believed, her life might be in danger if she tried to disentangle herself from her rotten marriage ... and she could also never have children, which was another humiliating defeat.  Deep depression engulfed her.

Everything had changed so dramatically since they took over the club with such high hopes.  It had been the most exciting time of her life as the business went from strength to strength, especially with Alex and Barrie beside her.  Vicky had been so proud of him, watching his exuberant charm as he flattered and fussed over their guests which increased the business tenfold as word got  around that all who entered the doors were treated to an evening they wouldn’t forget in a hurry.  At first, she was concerned he might be enjoying his role a little too much when surrounded by a bevy of beautiful women, agog at his wit and sparkling conversation, but Barrie was adept at pulling away from them at the end of the evening and always came to bed with