Chapter 30

***Levi.***

The world faded as we kissed. Just us two.

Slowly, Kenya pulled away from the kiss, just enough to whisper. "Last night changed nothing, Levi."

Her voice ran cold as it mingled with my breath. I stared at her, expressionlessly. Then smiled darkly.

"But it did, Baby. You only need to accept it." I trailed a finger tenderly against her face. I sniffed her desire. My gaze heated. My groin protesting.

Her eyes widened, perhaps betrayed by her own desire. She pulled back.

Without another word, Kenya retrieved one of her earpods from the floor where it had fallen. Then she walked in the direction of the house. Leaving me and the wisps of her scent.

I returned an hour later and was informed by Tamar, just before I mounted the stairs, that Kenya had gone out. Apparently, she hadn't informed Tamar of her intended destination. I frowned.

Proceeding upstairs, rage boiling in me at her tenacity, I made a clipped call to Blake. A few minutes of impatient pacing and my phone buzzed with an incoming text.

***Blake***: "*Mrs Ruthford is at her mother's place. Arrived a few minutes ago in a cab with a number plate; MLB737. Would you want me to have someone watch her, Sir?"*

Relieved, I sent a clipped reply.

***Me***: "*No. That will be all. Thanks, Blake".*

Satisfied, I proceeded with taking a cold shower. The running water easing me.

***Kenya***.

*'But he is not who he claims to be*,' a voice had shrieked in my head when Levi kissed me earlier on the beach.

I had buried that voice of reason last night to receive him whole. To delve into the wells of passion that he had carved. Betrayed by my body. However, I couldn't live with such a man. A murderer. A monster.

"Sweet heart. You should be honeymooning, rather than staying with me for as long as you have." Mum teased. Her whisper breaking my thoughts.

A knowing smile crossed her lips, as the other five women in the room chatted.

I smiled nervously. My eyes settling on her vase of roses.

I had already lost track of how long I had been here and I didn't even care. Anything to avoid the befuddling presence of Levi.

It was Mum's Wednesday Bible Club meeting with her friends. And they had just finished the meeting, proceeding to refreshments. Mum had wanted to beam

about my new wedding to her friends the moment they entered the house. But I had protested. Reminding her of Levi's need for privacy.

Raising my eyes to the women seated around us, all delighting in the mini chicken sandwiches and steaming coffee, I wondered how they would take the news. I didn't even want to be congratulated.

"Kenya darling." A voice broke into my thoughts. I turned my head in time to see Mrs Ramirez, offering a delightful smile. They all got to know each other when Mum moved here.

"I saw your remarkable dance on television. The way you danced and leaped on stage. It was explosive!" The woman beamed.

"Yes, Kenya." Another woman, Mrs Fitzgerald agreed. "As a matter of fact, as soon as your mother told me you were around, I wanted to come congratulate you myself. I wish you were resident in Malibu. I would have asked you to tutor my 16-year-old daughter."

I forced a smile. *If only they knew the truth*.

"Is it true you are in a relationship with Mr Ruthford, that handsome Senator aspirant?" Mrs Cliff blurted out, unexpectedly.

A silence fell across the room as the women gazed at me in anticipation.

I fumbled for words.

"Ladies, we aren't here to gossip about my daughter now, are we?" Mum broke in. Her words sent the others to discomfiture.

But I wasn't a little girl anymore, who hid behind Mum's apron. A memory suddenly flashed through my mind. I was bullied in the playground and running to Mum, crying. She held me tight. I was happy that memory surfaced. A past pain I used to feel from being bullied.

I smiled, holding on to the pain.

I was a woman now. Married, whether I accepted it or not. And I was responsible for all my actions. I needed to stand up for myself, once and for all.

No more bullying Kenya. No more scornful words from others, making me cower in the corner. I needed to stand above this and find leverage. Emboldened by those thoughts, I spoke.

"It's no problem mum." I was calm.

My eyes suddenly flicked at my wedding ring, which I had carefully concealed because of the ladies. Fingering the large, princess-cut diamond, I spoke. My voice, shaky with unprocessed emotions.

"As a matter of fact, Ma'am, we are in a relationship."

*Gasps*.

Even Mum held her breath. My boldness stemmed from memories of my steaming passion with Levi the previous night.

A passion, a burning that existed between us, which I could never deny.

"As of yesterday, I became the wife of Levi Ruthford. I'm sorry my mum didn't let you all know. My husband and I wanted discretion." I shook inside.

I turned a gaze to Mum, who watched me with pride and tear rimmed eyes. Mum's smile me. Tears pooled round my eyes as I realized two things:

First, I had never been this bold my entire life. And second, Mum had been right when she had confessed to Levi the suffering I had endured as a little girl.

Because for the first time in my life, I wasn't an object of pity. At this moment, I was an object of intrigue. A testament to something borne out of nothing. Instead of being mocked, I was appreciated. And it thrilled me. Even though I reviled my husband and the entire marriage, there was a silver lining to all this; I was going to carve a life for myself. A new identity, worthy of envy and admiration. A new Mrs Levi Ruthford.