The Wrong Side of Midnight Read Free

the chair.
    “You know what? That’s a big roof,” began Chloe as she brightened up. They aren’t finished with it yet. Tomorrow, throw on some more sunscreen. We’re going to sit out here all day if we have to.”
    “….And Edmund?”
    “I’ll take care of it. He needs to be with a woman who prioritizes like he does. Did you know that he doesn’t even want children? He thinks they’re dirty. I can’t be with him. You’re my best friend, Becky. You have to stand behind me and not tell another soul about this.”
    “I got your back, chica , don’t you worry.”
     
    ∞  ∞  ∞  ∞
     
     
    She walked inside the house and stared at Edmund’s cocky smile. Is this what I want? Chloe knew the answer but didn’t know if she was capable of following through with the ball she was getting ready to start rolling. She would have given anything to have had the courage to stand up for herself when the relationship with Edmund was arranged. But she was so hungry for love and approval it was pathetic. Even though Chloe despised the entire situation she was forced into, she went along with it without a peep when she saw the potential for her to get what she wanted. Her parents would have to show up at her wedding, so maybe they’d find her to be a beautiful bride and would want to stay. If they hated me so badly, why did they have me? An accident…I must have been an accident. Maybe they wanted a boy. She was the sole heiress of Burlington Enterprises and couldn’t despise the business any more than she already did. The business was their baby, I never was. Later that evening, after Chloe got her courage, she picked up the phone and called Edmund.
    “Hello, my future Mrs. Edmund Lauer.”
    Chloe could hear the tall, very thin, perfectly groomed pig, rubbing his palms together like he was getting ready to roll the dice. “We need to talk. Can you come by?”
    “I’m happy you phoned me. I was going to tell you to put on that black dress. I’m taking you out for drinks. I ran into some old classmates I’d like you to meet.”
    “I don’t have to wear that black dress. I have lots of clothes. Why do you always want me dressing like that?”
    “Because it’s sexy and turns every man’s head. You are always the sexiest thing in the room. I’ll pick you up at nine.”
    “Thing…I’m not a thing ! I’m not only going to not wear the black dress, I’m not going to go anywhere with you. I’m sorry, Edmund, but I can’t be in an arranged relationship, and that’s what this is. I think it’s best if we go our separate ways. I’ll have the ring delivered back to you. Hell, you can even have the black dress and wear it yourself!” Chloe wasn’t aware of how loudly she was talking.
    “We can talk about it over drinks, my bride. Don’t forget, nine o’clock, and wear that little black dress! The guys will fall out of their chairs!”
    Wiping the tears off her face, Chloe reached up, removed the large photograph from the wall, carefully removed it from its frame…then shredded it. His cocky smile was now torn in half. Picking up her purse and keys, she went out the front door. She walked right by her Mercedes and hopped in her Jeep. Her parents bought the car for her birthday and even had it delivered. But what she really wanted was a phone call on her special day. Chloe knew that wouldn’t happen, so it wasn’t a surprise when the keys were handed to her by the security staff, along with a birthday card from Earl and Sylvia Burlington of Burlington Enterprises. Chloe’s name wasn’t even on the card. Not only was it mailed from the business, it was the same printed ones they had the secretary mail to everyone. Unfortunately, it was the identical card she always received.
    Chloe and her parents were basically strangers. They didn’t even know she bought the red Jeep. Sylvia and Earl knew as much about her as Edmund did. As she sped down the driveway, security stopped her like she knew they