The Life of Mrs. Fifty Shades | Chapter 23

The Life of Mrs. Fifty Shades

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ana

The rain splattered against the windows of my office. The sound was music to my ears, a constant hum that kept me company during the long hours I was away from my kids.

Christian hadn’t called me yet, which was surprising. The last thing we said to each other was when I threatened to tell Grace that Elena had another scheme up her sleeve. Christian was blind when it came to that woman, and his inability to see her for who she really was troubled me. Were there feelings still involved? Maybe some misplaced affection.

I hoped not.

I threatened to tell Grace what was going on with Elena to get Christian to see reason. I didn’t mean to take it further than that. But since Christian was oblivious about Elena, I had no other choice. Deep in my gut, I knew something wasn’t right. Elena was a threat, and she had her sights set on me—possibly the kids. If she successfully removed me from the picture, she still had two little ones to compete with. I wouldn’t put it past her to get rid of them too.

The truth was so plain to me. She worked with this crazed man to separate Christian from me. She planned to bombard me and the kids, hiring some ex-cons to kill us and throw us in the freezing waters of the Pacific. She hadn’t expected Christian to have a concrete plan in place—involving a man she didn’t even know.

I had to do something. If Christian was too blinded by his admiration for the woman to protect us, I would do it.

Unsure of what the hour was on the other side of the world, I picked up my phone and made the call.

Crow answered within a few rings. “What?”

“Hello to you too.” Hearing his voice made me smile despite its gruffness.

“Again, what?”

“Do you have a minute?”

“Now that I’m wide awake at two in the morning, I guess.”

“It’s about Christian.”

“Shouldn’t the two of you be blissful and fucking right now?”

“I think I know what happened when Christian was captured—but he doesn’t believe me.”

Intrigued, Crow dropped his attitude. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

I told him the whole story.

“Elena has always been a nut job.”

“You know her?” I asked in surprise.

“Unfortunately. I’ve met her a few times when I was in Seattle. Christian brought her along as a business partner.”

“Did you sleep with her too?” I blurted.

He chuckled. “Jealous?”

“No. I just hate that woman.”

After a long pause, he spoke. “She’s not my type. I like to be the dominant, and she’s a terrible submissive.”

At least she sucked at something.  “What do you think?”

“I don’t think you’re crazy. Christian has a soft spot for her so I understand his hesitation.”

“He shouldn’t have a soft spot for her. When his wife says something, he should believe her.” My voice rose as the emotion gripped me painfully tight. Tears were burning in my eyes just before they fell.

“Don’t cry. I’ll hang up.”

“I’m not.” I sniffed to cover it up.

“Cut him some slack. This woman gave him the money to start his empire. Even though he’s paid her back, he still feels indebted to her. She obviously gave him something he never got from his birth parents or his adopted parents.”

“But now he has me.” My voice shook.

“Seriously, don’t cry. Annoys the shit out of me.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and stayed quiet.

“You want me to talk to him?”

“No.”

“Then why did you call me?”

“I guess…I just wanted someone to talk to. You’re the only person who knows Christian for who he really is.”

“If you really think you’re in danger, you should tell Grace.”

“Do you think we’re in danger?”

He was quiet for nearly a minute. “I’m not sure. I don’t think your theory is impossible, but I don’t have enough evidence to condemn her beyond reasonable doubt. You’ve probably hated that woman from the beginning and it’s possible your hatred blinds your judgment.”

“I do hate her. But that has nothing to do with this.”

“Then go with your gut. That’s all I can say.”

“Then I’m gonna tell Grace.”

Crow fell silent over the line. “He’s not gonna like it.”

“I know…”

“But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

***

I left the office half an hour early and got into a cab. I headed to Grace’s office a few blocks down the road. Without seeing Taylor, I knew he was following me. It was just a matter of time before he figured out where I was going and told Christian.

I wondered how much time I had.

The cab pulled up to the building, and I walked into the lobby. Her office was on the 9th floor. I got into the elevator and hit the button. The classical jazz music played over the speakers, and I steeled my resolve. Saying this to Grace would be easy. She hated Elena just as much as I did, but that didn’t mean she would believe my story. I had to admit it was far-fetched—but that didn’t mean it was wrong.

The doors opened with a distant ring, and right before my eyes, Christian’s frame came into view. Wearing a gray suit and black tie, he stared me down as the doors opened like he knew I was inside.

I stared at him as I held my breath, trying not to appear surprised. He must have had a strict detail on me to figure out where I was going before I even got there. He must have flown his helicopter to the top of the building. There was no other explanation for his haste.

The warning was in his eyes.

The doors began to close so I stepped out and listened to the ring sound behind me.

“Mrs. Grey.” Christian had no intention of letting me approach the receptionist’s desk.

“Mr. Grey.” If he got in my way, I would tear him down. The look in my eyes made that perfectly obvious.

“Is there something I can help you with?”

“You?” I said coldly. “No. There’s not a damn thing you can help me with.” I turned on my heel and walked off.

He snatched me by the wrist and yanked me back. “Ana, you aren’t telling Grace any of this ridiculous story. I won’t have it.”

“Let. Go. Of. Me.” I twisted out of his grasp hard, just the way Taylor taught me. I refused to be intimidated by those gray eyes. This was something I believed too strongly in. “I’m telling Grace because my own husband won’t protect me. My own husband is putting his ex before his family. I’ve never been so disappointed in you in my life.”

Those words stabbed him like a knife, and his eyes dilated like he’d been cut down to the bone. “Ana, I will protect you from anything. But you aren’t seeing reason right now. Elena had nothing—”

“Open your eyes, Christian. I don’t know what version you see of this woman, but it’s the wrong one. I told you she was a hard limit for me and not just because I’m jealous. She is a threat to me, Teddy, and Phoebe. After everything we’ve been through, with how paranoid you are, if you can’t even entertain that possibility, then you’re seriously fifty shades of fucked up.” Everything I was saying was unforgivable. I’d never been so angry and frustrated with him in my life. It was the first time I doubted our marriage could work. “You still have feelings for her or some other misguided affection, and I’m tired of competing with it. I’m done, Christian.” I turned away again, determined to get away from him.

He grabbed me again. “What did you say to me?”

I pushed him off. “I said I’m done.” I gave him a violent look before I marched down the hallway.

This time, he didn’t follow me.

I got to the end of the hallway and turned around to see his expression.

And he looked like a man who had lost the world.

***

I chickened out and didn’t speak to Grace. Bringing her into this wouldn’t change anything. It wouldn’t fix the real problem—which was Christian. As long as he defended that vile woman and didn’t notice the gaps in her story, then this argument would never be put to rest. When I said she was a hard limit for me, I assumed that was the end of it.

But like always, that snake popped up.

An emotional wreck, I didn’t know what else to do besides run. I went to the house and sent Mrs. Jones home for the day. I packed a bag full of stuff along with things for the kids, and I called a cab to get us to the airport.

I was running away.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. Christian was at Grace’s office because he knew I would end up there. He stood in my way to make sure that didn’t happen, to protect that child molester instead of protecting me.

How could I forgive him for that?

Tears ran down my cheeks for the entire ride to the airport. Teddy's eyes were full of sadness as he watched his mother cry. “Mommy, are you okay?”

I needed to pull myself together. “Mommy is okay. Just tired.”

“Where’s Daddy?”

Not far behind, I’m sure. “We’ll see him soon.” I just lied to my son, and I felt horrible for doing it.

My phone lit up with a phone call, and his name was on the screen. By now, he knew exactly what was going on. He knew Mrs. Jones was gone, my clothes were missing, and my wedding ring was sitting on the counter.

He knew I was finally fed up with everything.

And he was going to try to stop me.

I turned off my cell phone so I wouldn’t have to see it ring any longer. I couldn’t bear to see his name on the screen. I loved My Fifty with everything I had, but when it came down to it, he chose that heinous woman over me.

And I couldn’t forgive that.

***

The kids were asleep in the car when we pulled up to the Tuscan estate within the hillsides. It was exactly as I remembered, covered in vines with rustic Italian design. The air smelled clean there, like fresh grapes.

We reached the front door and knocked before Lars greeted us.

He forgot his manners for a moment, surprised to see us. “Mrs. Grey, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I’m sorry we stopped by unannounced…” I held Phoebe on my hip with Teddy holding my other hand. “Can I speak to Crow?”

“Of course. Come in.” He guided us inside and directed us toward the couches. “His Grace will be down in a moment. Is he expecting you?”

“Uh…no.” I was too afraid to turn on my phone just in case Christian called me again.

Lars nodded. “I’ll be back shortly.”

I cradled Phoebe in my arms as I waited for Crow to come downstairs. I didn’t know where to go and he was the first person that came into my mind. He was the only man powerful enough to keep Christian away if it came down to it. He was friends with my husband, but I knew he was my friend too.

He joined us a moment later, wearing running shorts and a t-shirt like he was just finishing a morning jog. The fabric around his neck was soaked in sweat and perspiration was still on his forehead. “Mrs. Grey…I wasn’t expecting you.” He looked at Teddy who was sleep on the couch, and the baby in my arms. “I’m guessing things didn’t go well.”

I lay Phoebe beside her brother. They were both exhausted from the travel and they just needed a good night’s rest. “I’m sorry to bombard you like this… I didn’t know where else to go.”

He searched my eyes, his cold and callous expression absent. I expected him to be irritated with my presence, and I was surprised he wasn’t. “Any minute now, he’s going to figure out where you are.”

“I know. I’m surprised he hasn’t yet.”

“Your phone must be off.”

I nodded and crossed my arms over my chest.

He continued to stand there, five feet between us. “What can I do for you?”

“Can we stay here for a while? I just need somewhere to…clear my head.”

He glanced down to my left hand and noticed my wedding was missing. “Looks like you’ve already made up your mind.”

I squeezed my fingers together, feeling naked without the band.

“Did you tell him?”

I nodded.

“And you’re sure this is what you want?”

“It’s not what I want. But I can’t keep competing with that woman. I don’t feel safe, and I’ve come to realize Christian won’t protect me. Elena failed once but she’ll try again.”

He bowed his head, his gaze unreadable. “Christian won’t take this easily. He’ll fight.”

“Well, he better fight hard.”





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