Mr Spencer(8)

Edward, my oldest brother, hates William’s ex with such a passion that I fear he would run her over in the street if he saw her. This rocked our family to its very core. How do you deal with infidelity, especially when he is still married to that person? Still with her to this day, actually.

He stayed with her because he didn’t want to leave his son. He didn’t want to be the one who ended the marriage, and she promised him the world if he stayed, blaming her indiscretions on him for working all the time.

But the worst part, the very worst part of it all, is that he still loves her.

He loves her so much that he would give anything to make her happy.

I see it in his eyes every time I look at him. I see how deep his hurt runs. He’s dying a slow death, knowing that the woman he loves doesn’t love him with the same purity as he loves her.

She never loved him and the whole world knows it.

It’s a whole new level of torture for everyone.

It was the money that she wanted—the designer lifestyle to go with her designer cocaine. She got her way, too. Now they live in Switzerland in a huge mansion that she definitely doesn’t deserve.

I hate her.

I hate her so much that it eats away at me day and night.

My mother would be rolling in her grave if she saw what William is living through.

It’s a hell that he never deserved.

Her name is Penelope—the walking, talking devil.

I’m pulled out of my thoughts by my brother’s raised voice.

“I don’t know about this!” Edward snaps.

My father exhales heavily and pinches the bridge of his nose. “You know we have to go.”

“Why can’t you just come back here?” Edward asks William. “It’s six weeks.”

“Because I can’t get time off. Not everyone works for Dad, you know.”

“Huh?” I frown. “Hang on, what are you talking about?” I ask.

“Edward and I have to go to America for work. We’ll be away for six to seven weeks while we do the tour of the casinos. We want William to come back and stay here while we’re gone,” Edward tells me.

I look between them, confused. “Why?”

“You are not staying here alone, Charlotte,” my father says.

“Wait, what?” I frown. “This is about me?” I sit back, offended. “I’m twenty-four. I can look after myself.”

“No!” Edward asserts. “You’ll have to come with us.”

“I can’t get time off, and I’m not leaving my job, Edward.”

“For God’s sake, isn’t it about time you left that job and came and worked for the family business, anyway? We have a family empire that you should be working on. You don’t need to work in philanthropy.”

“This is our mother’s dream that I work on,” I hit back. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, Edward, or where to work. And besides, Wyatt and the staff will be here. I’m completely capable of looking after myself, you know?”

“Don’t tell her to leave her job. Why do you think you have the right to tell her what to do?” William snaps in my defence.

Edward turns, and I can see his anger rise to the surface. “You want to talk about leaving jobs?” He points at William. “Yes, let’s do that. When the fuck are you going to live up to your responsibility to this family and come and work in the business?”

“Edward.” My father sighs. “That’s enough.”

“I’m not,” William growls. “I never will. Casinos and making money aren’t life goals of mine.”

I close my eyes, resting my fingers on my temples. Here we go again.

“Why is that?” Edward growls back. “Because you’re hiding in fucking Switzerland with that whore.”

My eyes widen. He did not just say that.

“Because you’re too scared to bring her home in case she fucks someone else.” He shakes his head in disgust. “Wake up and smell the coffee, Will. She would have fucked ten men by now. When are you going to see her for what she really is? A dirty fucking whore.”

William flies out of his seat and pushes our brother hard in the chest. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Admit it!” Edward screams as my father flies out of his chair to separate the two men. “She’s brought nothing but shame to this family. We don’t even see you anymore. It’s about time you fuck her off and come home!” he yells.

They push each other and fall back. A glass gets smashed across the table as it tips over.

The staff come flying into the room, hearing the commotion. This isn’t the first time my brothers have become physical over Penelope. They’re always on high alert when William is home.

William pushes Edward hard in the chest and glares at him.

My heart breaks for him and his pain. “Will,” I whisper.

“That’s enough, Edward!” my father roars. “You will not speak to your brother like that. Do you hear me?”

“You make me fucking sick, sitting up here on your high horse. Keep your fucking nose out of my marriage. What I do with my wife is none of your concern.” William turns and storms out of the room.

“William, come back here,” my father calls after him, but William doesn’t stop and he doesn’t look back, taking the stairs two at a time. He’ll be back in Switzerland by morning… like always.