Mathilda’s POV

We stayed out in the garden after that. Fredric didn’t even bother to answer his ringing phone — or silence it.

The constant vibration was driving me crazy, so I glanced at it… and saw Paula’s name flashing on the screen.

Of course.

That woman just wouldn’t stop. She never would. She’d chase Fredric to the ends of the earth if she had to.

Her own foolishness had made her lose everything women like her dream of — and now she was clawing to get it back.

“She’s even more annoying than you,” Fredric muttered, still watching the fountain.

I blinked. Excuse me?

Was I supposed to take that as a compliment? Was annoying the standard by which he measured the women in his life now?

“She’s doing that because she still loves you,” I said quietly. “No woman would want to lose someone like you, Mr. Fredric.”

He turned his head toward me, his lips curving slightly. “Including you?”

I stared at him. What was wrong with him tonight?

I knew he could be arrogant, but tonight, he seemed al