EXCERPT FROM BETRAYED - A romantic suspense novel | Page 26

MORGAN ST. JAMES SIX Hatred, as well as love, renders its votaries credulous. ~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Confessions There she sat, rocking in her chair, eyes closed. Patrick had come to the house and perched himself on the edge of the green mohair sofa, looking like a sad puppy dog after her daughter’s breakdown. He had twiddled his thumbs and said he couldn’t stand to see his daughter in such pain. Why, the fool even got down on his knees to beg her to be reasonable. She hadn’t listened to a word he said as she sat there triumphant, stone-faced. When all of his pleading failed, he lost his temper and shouted, “You drove me away, you know. Now you’re doing the same to Laurel. Well, I’m not going to stand by and watch you do to her what you did to me.” The door slammed as he stalked out. She hadn’t cared one bit. A few days later, he stomped into the living room with his fist raised, and threatened her. “I’ll fight you in court!” he yelled, waving his arms around. Because he was so used to getting his way, Patrick’s frustration gave her great pleasure. “Just what are you going to do, Patrick? Fight me for custody of a sixteen-year-old?” She knew that would never happen. There was no way his sexy wife, who was closer to Laurel’s age than hers, would tolerate having a troubled teen in the house. Another time he begged. “I’ll pay for lawyers to check it out. Just do what you know in your heart is right. Sign the damn contract. Let our Laurie have her dream!” Never once did Maude allow herself to admit the real reason she wouldn’t sign the contract was that she didn’t want to lose her daughter. She knew George Balanchine was considered a 20