Chapter 14
Bang Bang Bang
The sharp pounding on the door out through the quiet. Pearson set aside the hall peeled apple in his hand and glanced at the bathroom, where the sound of rushing water told him Arlene was still in the shower. He rose and strode to the door||
As he opened it Emery’s anxious, dawn face greeted him. For a fleeting moment, something unreadable flickered in Pearson’s eyes
“And you are?”
Emery barely spared him a glance, his mind wholly consumed by the need to find Adene. He made to push past, intent on storming into the living room ‘Step aside!
Pearson’s hand moved in a flash With a twist of his wrist, the paring knife traced a neat arc, its point glittering dangerously close to Emery’s eyes–a silent warning baring his way
“This is a private home if you insist on forcing your way in, you’d better be ready to deal with the consequences.”
The glint of steel brought Emery back to his senses. He stumbled back a couple of steps, his eyes narrowing, voice cold and edged with anger
This is my house! You’re the one trespassing. Who the hell are you?%
The question seemed to amuse Pearson. A slow, almost charming smile played on his lips, his whole demeanor relaxed and breezy
This happens to be my fiancee’s home.
The words hit Emery like a punch to the gut. He blinked, glancing up at the number on the door, then back at Pearson. Suddenly, he realized where he’d seen this man before he was the one in that proposal video
So, was he Arlene’s frend’s fiance? But this place was definitely in Arlene’s name. Had she given it away?!
Questions spun in his mind, none of them adding up. In the end, he decided to cut to the chase.
“Who’s your fiancée?”:
Pearson had been waiting for this. He sheathed the knife, brushed a fleck of dust from its blade, and looked at Emery with open delight, his gaze smug and triumphant
Before he could finish, Arlene’s voice rang out. Both men tumed at once”
All of Pearson’s swagger vanished in an instant. He transformed–like a cat tucking away its claws into someone remarkably mild.
Arlene, this man just barged in out of nowhere. I’m pretty sure he’s a burglar Should I just call the police?”
The speed with which he switched personas left Emery dumbstruck. But as soon as Arlene’s eyes landed on him, Emery snapped out of it blurting out. “Arlene Arlene hadn’t expected to walk out of the shower and straight into a standoff between her husband and her fiancé Towel in hand, she patted the water from her hair and made her way to the door, her voice cool and measured.
“What are you doing here? Didn’t tell you–il you have something to say, go through my lawyer?“”
One sentence, and the light in Emery’s eyes sputtered out. His shoulders slumped, panic and confusion clouding his face. He sounded almost desperate
“Adene, I think there’s been a misunderstanding between us. Can we just talk?”%
Arlene frowned slightly, but instead of answering him, she turned to Pearson, her tone softening.
“Weren’t you about to start that pear and barley soup? Go on–ll help you once I’m done here?!
Pearson’s face fell, and he shook his head in reluctant protest
The guy looks like bad news. I really don’t think you should–“%
She didn’t let him finish, nudging him firmly back inside and shutting the door behind him. Only then did she tum back to Emery, her expression icy once more
“A misunderstanding? I don’t think there’s any misunderstanding at all. Everything you did this past year–none of it was imagined thad every reason to end my mamage to a husband who cheated over and over. That’s perfectly reasonable.
