Chapter 4

Leo quickly grabbed my phone, his face full of accusation.

As if I were some ignorant child.

"We're all friends here. Don't you think it's a bit much, throwing your family's weight around to push people?"

Now he thinks it's too much.

When they were shouting about teaching my sister a lesson, he didn't think it was too much then?

He just figured I was an easy target, didn't he?

He figured that because of him, I ought to be on their side.

He didn't notice.

The call actually ended the moment he pressed down on my hand.

The boarding announcement for Leo's flight came on, and the staff had already come in to notify everyone.

Everyone pulled out their suitcases, ready to move.

Except me.

"Leo, if you leave with them, don't come back."

His brows went cold.

"It's not like I'm not bringing you along too. I'm just turning our honeymoon for two into a group trip."

"Don't spoil the mood for everyone."

Marianne affectionately tried to hook her arm through mine.

"Sis, I apologize for talking about you behind your back before. Don't make things hard for Leo."

"If you really want to do that kind of thing, I'll take the guys a little farther off and give you two your privacy..."

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

Leo quickly pulled her behind him to shield her.

The way he looked at me, he could have eaten me alive.

"Peggy Henson, you really have been spoiled rotten."

"Let's go, forget about her, let her keep putting on her grand lady airs."

"I'd like to see how long she can hold out."

Another round of mocking laughter.

"She won't last long. This time, Leo, you've got to listen to Marianne and keep her on a tighter leash a while longer."

"If you can squeeze some perks out of her, then you're truly a master at managing a wife."

"Miss Henson's waiting for you to come play, Leo. Aren't you going to go say something sweet to her?"

Listening to those dirty little jokes, I felt sick to my stomach.

Like something in my chest had fermented into a pool of rot.

I sat on the sofa, not moving.

Until a large shadow fell over me.

"Did somebody bully my little Peach?"

I looked up, my red eyes and the tip of my nose giving away exactly how I felt.

The pack of guys were still laughing and joking with Leo.

"Leo, you think your wife deliberately took a different seat on the plane because she was scared we'd laugh at her?"

Leo shook his head. "No idea. Ask the flight attendant."

The cabin door was already slowly closing.

The flight attendant they'd called went to check, and found an empty seat.

She turned back and gave them the answer.

"Gentlemen, the seat you mentioned is empty. No one's there."

Leo's face darkened.

"She really didn't board."

The announcement came on.

Flight 774 is preparing for takeoff. Passengers, please power off your phones or switch to airplane mode.

I sniffed and looked at the man in front of me.

"Honeymoon trip. Are we going or not?"

"Our family tradition..."

He finished the rest. "We're going."

"Dragon's den, tiger's lair, wherever."

He even beat me to it and called my parents.

"Sir, ma'am, I'm taking your little Peach on a honeymoon for a few days. When we're home, I'll come pay a visit."

My phone buzzed twice with a message.

An angry voice call from Leo came through.

"Peggy Henson, how dare you—"

The call was cut off.

I pulled Rodney over, took his hand, and snapped a photo.

Posted it straight to my social media feed.

Honeymoon trip, everything as usual.

Leo's buddy, who'd been about to switch to airplane mode, stared at the new post, and his voice came out shaking.

"Le... Leo, your wife's going on her honeymoon with someone else."