The Billionaire's Runaway Bride Read Free Page B

Jocelyn immediately dropped Sophie’s arm and stood back, her hands on her hips as her eyes turned angrily on Sophie. “What on earth possessed you to re-enter Jason’s life, Sophie?” she demanded as soon as they were out of hearing range. She didn’t wait for a response though. Without another word, both women hustled Sophie down the long hallway and into the blue and silver room she’d occupied while married to Jason.
     
    Jocelyn and Evelyn busied themselves with dissecting her pathetic wardrobe and tossing clothes aside. Neither one of them paid any attention to Sophie who just stared as if transfixed by the image in front of her.
     
    It was her bed.
     
    There was a connecting door to his room, but she’d never ventured into that domain. She knew what it looked like since she’d peered in curiously one day when the door was open. Instead of her going to him each night, he’d come to her. And, each night, he would make love to her until her senses were so filled with only him, she couldn’t think about anything else. Not the loneliness or the horrible attitudes of her stepmother and sister or the boring social function they’d just left. Jason had been the ultimate lover. Of all the things that had gone wrong with their marriage, sex would definitely not be on the list. In fact, he merely had to touch her and her whole body would melt into his arms and quiver with desire. There had never been any denying of Jason. Her body just wouldn’t let her.
     
    Evelyn finally realized that Sophie was no longer paying attention to their spiteful comments and grew irritated. “Sophie! What are you doing just standing there? You know Jason is waiting for you. Are you so inconsiderate as to keep him waiting?” Evelyn snapped, her perfectly made up face showing her annoyance.
     
    The harsh words, so undeserving since she’d been pulled up here against her will, broke through to her consciousness and she was able to snap out of her fascination with her bed and all of its memories. Sophie finally looked over at the woman who had entered her life almost ten years ago. It had been horrible from the beginning. But no more. It was time to start standing up for herself. She’d only been gone for what now seemed like a short period of time, but she’d learned a great deal about herself in that period of time. That she was a survivor. And that she didn’t have to take the abuse others dished out. She could push back.
     
    “Thank you very much for your assistance, Evelyn, but I think I can handle changing clothes on my own,” she said, hoping the two women didn’t hear the tension in her voice.
     
    Jocelyn snickered, her unladylike noise earning her a sharp look from her mother. But Jocelyn ignored the look, preferring to remain focused on Sophie instead of her own transgressions. “Of course you can’t, dear. That’s why Jason is always shuddering whenever he sees your ridiculous clothes.” Jocelyn spoke those biting words and made sure they hit their mark before turning back to Sophie’s closet, satisfied with the pale look she’d instigated. “None of these are terribly flattering but what can you expect with that god-awful red hair and white skin? We’ll just have to do our best.”
     
    Sophie gritted her teeth but wouldn’t give in. “I’m sure you both have only my best interests in mind,” she said sarcastically, “but I requested that you leave my bedroom.” She looked at both women’s startled expressions with satisfaction. “Immediately,” she reinforced when both of them just stood there.
     
    Jocelyn was the first to give in. She shrugged her shoulders and let the dress she’d been holding fall to the floor. “If you’re going to be ungrateful, then I’m just not going to stand here and take your abuse, Sophie.” And without another word, she walked out of the room, her head held high, glaring at Sophie the whole time.
     
    Sophie watched Jocelyn leave then turned back to face Evelyn.