“I really do not know what you’re talking about. If you’re going to accuse me of something, why don’t you do it in writing so we can minimize our contact time? We always fight whenever we’re together.”
“You condescending bitch.”
Whatever bee had gotten under her bonnet must be killing her. Her face was so red Natalie wondered if her sister was going to keel over from a heart attack.
“Don’t you care about anyone but yourself? After what Mom and Dad did for you, this is how you repay them?”
“Belle, either tell me what this is about or get out of my face. I want to start my weekend.”
She glared at Natalie. “I’m warning you. You’ve done enough. Don’t hurt Dad.”
“You mean like the family’s hurt me?”
Suddenly, tears welled in Belle’s eyes, and Natalie blinked. Belle hadn’t cried since they were kids.
“You had everything. You still do.” Belle sniffled. “Fancy European boarding schools. Top graduate in your class. Dad was so proud of you, he gave you everything you asked for. You even got to go to Hong Kong and do whatever you wanted to do. And look at me.” Natalie looked. Belle’s eyes were red, the color stark against her black eyeliner.
“I have nothing. I wasn’t good at sports. I wasn’t the smartest kid. God, I’m a stereotype. The dumb blonde of the family.”
Belle looked so small and lost, all the fight went out of Natalie. “Belle… Come on. Louise loves you so much more. That’s why she couldn’t bear to send you anywhere too far from home.”
Tears started to fall from Belle’s eyes, and she wiped them away furiously, smudging her makeup. “Yeah, right.”
“It’s true. Did you know that Louise had problems conceiving? She blames Brian for adopting me instead of waiting for her to give him a child of her own. As far as she’s concerned, I represent her failure, while you’re her vindication and revenge.”
Belle stared at Natalie, then gave a short, harsh laugh. “Oh please. You don’t really expect me to believe that, do you?”
“What do you want me to say? It’s the truth. I know I’m not really a Hall, and Louise only tolerates me out of duty.” Natalie shrugged. “Look, I want to go home. You should get going too. I’m sure you have a lot of work to do for Brian’s campaign.”
“Natalie—”
She shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about the loneliness and guilty resentment she’d harbored against her family. How could Belle think her parents loved her less? She was the flesh of their flesh. A real Hall.
Belle hesitated, then turned away. Natalie waited until the golden Mercedes was gone before leaning against her Audi. Her chest rose and fell in a long, shuddering sigh. Something would set Belle off every now and then, but hopefully this would last her for the year. Maybe for the decade.
She was still standing there when a Lamborghini drove up and screeched to a stop next to her. The door opened, and Alex climbed out.
She crossed her arms. This simply was not fair.
“What are you still doing here?” he said, his expression unreadable in the fading light.
Didn’t expect to see me? “I had a lot of work to do,” she said casually. “Ethan is a slave driver. You just get back from Hong Kong?”
“About an hour ago.”
And he’d come to the office first. He hadn’t called her from the airport. Not that she wanted him to call her. God, he looked good in his slightly rumpled charcoal gray suit.
“How was your trip?” she asked, her voice steady.
“Typical. Nothing special.” He reached inside his car and took out a wrapped package. “I thought of you when I saw this. I was thinking I could give it to you later, at your place, but…”
“Another present? For me?” She took it from his hand, put it over her heart and fluttered her eyelashes. “How thoughtful.”
He frowned slightly. “What’s wrong?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” she said, opening her car door.
“No, I—”