After He Called Me Trouble, I Quit Him

Chapter 5

The bar was so quiet that a pin dropping would've been audible.

Meeting Julian's cold stare, Hailey blurted, "A priest's actually allowed in a place like this?"

His handsome face darkened. "I'm not a priest."

The alcohol was starting to catch up with her. She waved him off. "Whatever. What's the difference?"

Ryan clapped a hand over her mouth and smiled. "She's drunk."

Julian's gaze cut to his hand. Ryan shrugged and withdrew it.

Without his support, Hailey slumped onto the couch. Julian caught her arm, pulled her upright, and led her out.

Someone leaned toward Ryan. "Will Hailey be okay?"

"Why wouldn't she be?" He drained his drink, his eyes flickering in the dim light. "They're married, not sworn enemies."

The bar came back to life once the couple had gone.

Outside, Julian helped a stumbling Hailey into the car.

Mia sat in the front passenger seat, unable to believe the woman in leather who reeked of alcohol was her mother. She'd never seen Hailey like this in all her life.

"Father, Mother is..."

"She's fine." Julian steadied Hailey, then told the driver, "Take us home."

The car traveled through quiet streets. Inside, only their breathing broke the silence.

With her eyes closed, Hailey sprawled against Julian. Her warm breath brushed his neck, and her arms clung around him.

He tightened his hold on his rosary beads and tried to compose himself.

"Hailey, sit up."

"Be quiet..." She frowned, holding on more tightly and shifting in search of a comfortable position.

Helpless, he could only remain stiffly where he was.

When they reached the house, she still showed no sign of waking. He bent, lifted her into his arms, and carried her to their bedroom.

He laid her on the bed. She smelled of dust, smoke, and alcohol. He should've woken her and told her to shower.

Instead, looking at her face, he found himself distracted.

It had been a long time since he'd seen her so alive.

Throughout their 8-year marriage, she'd abandoned her old unruliness, determined to become someone she wasn't. She'd tried to be gentle, considerate, and the perfect wife.

She'd put on a convincing performance, but it wasn't who she was. The cracks always showed.

'What made her stop pretending?'

He had no answer. He looked away and went to shower in the bathroom next door.

When he returned, Mia was standing hesitantly outside their bedroom with a bowl of soup.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Father." She lowered her eyes. "I asked Ms. Parker to make some soup for Mother's hangover. I knocked, but I think she's asleep."

He took the bowl. "I'll give it to her. Go to bed."

Mia nodded and left.

Julian entered the bedroom, but Hailey was no longer on the bed.

He frowned. Hearing the rustle of clothing in the dressing room, he set the bowl on a table and went to investigate.

His steps stopped short.

The dressing-room door stood open. Hailey was inside with her back to him, wearing a backless gown she'd somehow changed into.

A vivid red rose bloomed across the pale skin of her back.

His eyes darkened.

Hearing him, she looked over her shoulder. Their gazes met, and she noticed his reaction. Her fingers wound around a rosary.

"I had it done especially. What do you think?"

Only then did Julian realize she was holding his beads.

His brows drew together. "Put that down!"

Hailey ignored him. She approached, took his hand, and pressed it to the rose on her back, her eyes heavy with invitation.

"Julian, which is prettier? The rose on my back, or the one beneath the Virgin Mary in your chapel window?"