Page 80 of Desperate Measures

Liam had come rushing to the penthouse as I was leaving with Dad, but it was too late. I did not want to hear it. My heart was breaking for the world to see, and he was still in the clothes he’d worn the day before.

Liam swore he didn’t cheat. That it was all a lie. Days have passed since, and he hasn’t come home for more than a few hours at a time.

“It’s just work,” he said.

Yes. Liam was busy with work. and I was here, going to this party alone. Without my husband.

I knew Dad had talked to him, and likely, he’d threatened him. But whatever Liam said, Dad must have believed him.

He told me there was some leak of security footage and after looking closely, I could tell it had been doctored. I didn’t think he cheated, but even the lie hurt me. It also hurt that he stayed away.

Fuck this. It’s Christmas time.

I’d leave it to the men to figure out the security thing. And if my husband was more interested in work than me, I really shouldn’t be surprised. This marriage was a merger. It wasn’t real.

Now, if only I believed that.

“Okay, Micky, put on your big girl panties and figure it out,” I told myself and turned up the volume on theTop 50 Christmas Songs of All Time CountdownI was listening to.

As I left the city, flurries began to drift down, turning the winter landscape into a scene straight from a snow-globe. It was late, and maybe I should have had the driver take me, but I needed this quiet time to myself.

Beyond the busy streets, bustling with holiday travelers, the woods that bracketed the roads looked untouched and serene.

As if Mother Nature herself thought it might be a good idea to drop a bit of beauty where anyone could just gaze and take in the perfect stillness as they passed.

Uncle Josef and Aunt Meredith bought this estate because of Clementine’s love for horses. It was a grand old house with tons of history and plenty of space. The ballroom was beautiful with gleaming marble floors and an enormous hearth decorated with equine statues that depicted a team of gorgeous stallions driving the chariot of the sun god, Apollo, himself.

I looked forward to seeing my family, despite the strained relationship between me and my parents ever since I married Liam. I worried my lower lip between my teeth.

I’d almost forgotten. But I really missed them, and I’d hoped the season would make them more open to accepting the choices I’d made. Hoped to be able to convince them by showing up with Liam at my side that I’d made the right decision, even if I had to be less than honest about why I’d made it.

Shit.

When had everything gotten so complicated?

I sighed loudly and turned up the volume, singing along with the carols playing happily, blissfully unaware of my inner turmoil.

Everything will be okay, I tried to convince myself.

It just had to be.

I thought about my cousins, my sister, my whole family, and the fun we’ve always had at this annual shindig. Uncle Josef used to dress up as Santa when we were little, and some of the younger kids would be fooled. I knew it was him, but I liked to play along.

Of all the homes my family owned, this one always stood out because of the animals. Connected to the main house by a covered walkway was the equestrian wing, where the stables sat in perfect harmony with the rest of the property.

The stables themselves were as luxurious as the home, with polished wood beams and brick walls, each stall meticulously cared for. The interior was airy and spacious, with wide aisles and large, well-lit stalls, each one equipped with modern comforts for the horses.

I was a shit rider, but Clem was pretty great. She even competed for a little while. But I always thought her love for the animals stopped her from getting serious about it. She hated how some people were willing to neglect certain aspects of their animals’ care just to win. My cousin would never do that.

For me, I just liked watching the beautiful creatures as they pranced around their paddock. Sometimes feeding them carrots and apples by hand and petting their fuzzy, velvety muzzles.

I was still twenty minutes away when the snow started falling in earnest, and I wondered if it would be difficult getting up the hill that led to the house. Good thing I had four-wheel drive.

My phone buzzed, notifying me that a text had come in. I couldn’t check since I was driving, but I wondered if maybe my husband had seen the message I’d sent him before I left.

It was the first one I sent him since he’d walked out on me after I told him I loved him. God, I wished I could take that back so many times since then.

A call came through and I hit accept before I could talk myself out of it. Only, it wasn’t Liam’s voice that greeted me.