Undone by Lila Dipasqua

Author:Lila Dipasqua [Dipasqua, Lila]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 0988035014
Google: wxuRLwEACAAJ
Goodreads: 13229279
Publisher: Lila DiPasqua
Published: 2011-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

She had not broken.

Although Simon’s silence had stabbed her through the heart, she refused to curl up and die.

Angelica walked up to the crowd in the square and glanced around, unable to locate her friends in the throng. The island’s springtime celebration was underway. She’d prepared tomorrow’s teaching lessons, promising Suzette to return later when the music began—purposely hoping to avoid being ensnared in the games or competitions held during the afternoon for which she was in no mood.

During the last two weeks, she’d completely immersed herself in her teaching position. She’d forgotten just how much satisfaction she derived from teaching children. She adored her students and had taken it upon herself to encourage the girls to attend too. In two short weeks, her little school population had grown by six.

A sudden roar of laughter from the crowd broke through her thoughts. She scanned about again.

Simon would be here soon. Good. For she was going to confront him.

Today.

Though they shared the same roof, since revealing her past to him weeks ago, she’d barely seen him. He spent most of his time on the opposite side of the island and was rarely home.

On the few occasions they’d encountered each other at the door, they had exchanged customary pleasantries, and he’d politely inquired about how she was finding her new position. Although courteous, he’d been brief and eager to part company.

Revealing her secret to him had done exactly what she’d feared it would do. It had driven him away. Didn’t he realize what it had taken for her to expose herself to him so completely?

Well, she was not going to allow him to avoid her any longer.

She wasn’t going to permit him to hide his true feelings behind a pleasant mask. He was repulsed by her past. By her. So be it. But she wanted to hear him say it—to her face.

How could she have been so wrong about him? Why wasn’t he able to offer her the acceptance she’d craved from him? Since the night she’d told him the truth, she’d dealt with feelings of betrayal, pain.

She was not going to punish herself or be a victim any longer.

Not to her stepfather. And certainly not to Simon. She’d come out of this experience stronger. She’d even found the courage to tell Gabriella and Suzette everything. They, unlike Simon, had offered her genuine comfort and understanding.

Simon had asked for the truth. Now he had it, and she was going to force him to deal with it. To deal with her. This very day.

Just as old Benjamin stepped up onto the makeshift stage and was about to make an announcement, she heard the gallop of horses approaching. Loud cheers rose from the throng.

Simon, Jules, Armand, and Domenico had arrived.

On his mount, Simon appeared every bit the commander he was. Dressed in a crisp white shirt and black breeches, he looked so good it hurt.

The moment he dismounted, young lads hurried forward for the privilege of attending to his horse.

“Good sirs, welcome!” Old Benjamin said with a theatric flare.

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