Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 104

Chapter 104

[Cordelia]

My anger transforms into a rush of horror.

Just yesterday he was promising me forever only to bring my sister into his bed the very same night? All because I didn't want to buy a wedding dress and promise myself to him?

I'm done being sad about this.

"How could you?" I glare and watch as Atlas slowly turns his face to see where I am looking. He takes a moment to look back my way, but when his eyes connect with mine, they are wide with surprise and fear. "Cordelia," he takes a step forward. "I know what this looks like but it isn't what you think."

"It doesn't matter," I close my eyes, no longer wanting to gaze at my sister's perfect breasts or smug, self-satisfied expression. "I guess I shouldn't have expected you to act any differently. All that talk about celibacy and now..." I wave vaguely in Angelica's direction my face turned in the opposite direction.

"What are you going on about?" Angelica leans into Atlas' back, hiding her form as her naked front aligns with his spine. He doesn't move away, but he doesn't lean into her either. "Atlas and I were just doing what all couples do in a relationship. We are going to be married soon," her large, diamond engagement ring catches the light as her hand slowly moves down his chest.

"Angelica," he grumbles as he descends a single step, moving out of her reach. "We've talked about this. You need to be more clear with your words." He looks her up and down a little too slowly but then shakes his head and adds, "And cover yourself. Have a little dignity."

She pouts, chastised. "You didn't care a moment ago," she coos, "If anything you seemed to like it."

My blood boils. Clenching my fists I turn back towards the door, where April is still standing, looking amused.

"Why are you even here?" Angelica snaps, her face contemptuous and her eyes sharp and cold. "This isn't your home anymore. You don't belong here."

"I'm sorry to have disturbed your morning, Mr. Steele," I march towards the door. April shifts to the side, clearing the way. "I should have called first. I wasn't thinking."

I won't let him see me cry.

So much for gentle touches and making memories together. I thought he had changed but it is still the same pain over and over again. I will never be the first one in his heart. How could I be when she got there

first?

Eyes cloudy with tears, I stomp towards my car, trying to look in control but failing miserably as my body slowly breaks down with grief. And to think, yesterday was starting to wonder if he might have genuine feelings for me. Like love. And respect.

But he was only playing with my affections. Was his attentions in the bridal shop nothing more than pity?

It is better to know the truth now before investing too much of my heart. It is my own fault that my heart

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+25 BONUS

Chapter 104

is breaking now. I knew what I was getting into.

"Cordelia it isn't what you are thinking." I turn to see Atlas almost naked, chasing me down in bare feet. I'd be moved by his beauty if I weren't still seeing flashes of Angelica's nails as her hand moved across his skin just moments before. "Please stop," he begs as he moves towards me. "Cordelia, I never..."

"Don't lie to me again, Atlas," I turn and face him, no longer caring if he sees my pain. "I can't take any more lies. I'm leaving. When you get back to the office I'll be packed up and gone."

I pull the crumpled design from my pocket and stomping forward, place it roughly in his hand. "Now I guess I know that truth. My only question is why? What did I do to you that was so bad that I deserved to be treated like this? Did I break your heart in a previous life?" I take a step back as he flattens the paper. "This wasn't me," he protests. "I'd never hurt you in this way. I want you to succeed, Cordelia. It makes me so proud to see how much you've grown."

He moves forward. I step back.

"You could have just told me that you think I am worthless. You didn't need to pretend to care just to tear me down," I turn my back on him. My heart is beating rapidly as I blink away the tears. He has broken my heart too many times. "You should have just left me alone. I was happier without you."

"Don't say that, Cordelia," he closes the gap and pulls me to his chest. His skin is warm. "We will find out what happened together. I'm sure this was a mistake, a simple misunderstanding."

I feel myself calming with his logic. But can smell the cloying scent of her lavender perfume and my mind flashes to the scene from just a moment ago.

"Let me make this better," Atlas pleads. "I will prove this is all a mistake," his eyes are so sincere as he reaches forward. But all I can smell is her scent all over his body and my stomach turns with disgust.

"Goodbye, Atlas," I step into my car. "I'll come in later today to pack up my things."

When I look in the rearview mirror, I see him charging back towards the house as if on a mission.

Maybe he means what he says and this is all a misunderstanding.

Maybe is is rushing back to Angelica's arms.

I no longer care.

Even though I try to forget, all I can see is the scene flashing in my mind over and over again. Atlas' shock. Angelica's glee. She is enjoying this. She plays innocent, she even pretends to care about me, but there is something else, something darker behind her smiles. (1) It is only after I am almost home that I realize Angelica made a big mistake.

She said that the Steele estate wasn't my home "anymore."

How would she even know I ever lived there when we've been pretending that I was never married to Atlas to begin with?

None of us told her the truth.

So how does she know it?