9 Chapter 8

"What are you doing here mother?" Carina asked, voice full of anger. Thomas averted his eyes. He did not expect Carina to come over.

"Carina, why are you here? It's not polite to intrude a conversation", she replied, her demeanour changing completely.

"You don't need to change the topic. What're you doing here with Tom...I mean Mr. Ainsworth?" She corrected herself.

"I just told you. We were..."

Carina cut her off, "I want to know what you're 'talking' about ." Thomas felt uneasy at Carina's sudden bluntness.

"I-I should join the others", Thomas said, still somewhat nervous.

"No. You will stay here", Carina said, determined.

Thomas's brows furrowed,"I don't mean to be rude but you're in no place to tell me that, Mrs. Belle." Maybe he was sobering up.

He took a few steps when Carina grabbed his wrist. Thomas's eyes widened.

"Carina !" Sophia gasped.

"She was brainwashing you, wasn't she?"

Thomas kept his voice low,"It is not appropriate for a bride to pull another man's wrist. Now let me go Mrs. Belle."

"Why? You're afraid your little wife will see? That she'll find out about us?" Carina smiled darkly. Sophia snatched Carina's hand as Thomas took a few steps back.

"Teach your daughter some manners", he glared at Carina and left. This was too much. How could he cope with this?

"You can't escape your past! You can't escape me!" She yelled at him.

"What has gotten into you?" Sophia hissed, clearly enraged.

"I'm not bound to answer you anymore. I'm married mother. I am Carina Belle." She glared at Sophia and made her way into the crowd.