Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 130414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Not in the mood for playing hide and seek, I produced my phone and checked her whereabouts through the security cameras. Rewinding the videos, I found footage of her dragging an oversized Louis Vuitton suitcase to the subterranean garage, two balled fists clutching the handle as if it sheltered a dead body.
A suitcase.
I bolted in that direction. A potent potion of anger and alarm bubbled in my stomach. What did she think she was doing?
Choosing one of the options you gave her. Leaving, you moron.
It no longer surprised me that I had a reaction to Dallas—a fact at this point. But it twisted my gut and every inner organ, pretzeling them in a ball of apprehension, to admit just how deeply she dug into my skin. So deep, she seeped through flesh, blood, and bone. Through stem cells, cerebral scars, and dense layers of ice. She hit right where it was raw and tender. Where the pain was inescapable. Not because I liked her—for I truly did not like Dallas Costa.
But because I wanted her.
Craved her.
Because touching her was the only goddamn thing I could think about.
By the time I burst through the doors of the underground garage, I had enough rage in me to light up Vegas. Nonetheless, my composure remained impeccable. Dallas perched atop a mountain of suitcases beside the Maybach, snacking on a small box of strawberry-covered Pocky sticks. Her legs dangled in the air, like a child’s. It sickened me to see someone so unsophisticated hold so much power over me.
I circled her with my hands knotted behind my back. “Going somewhere nice?”
“Any place away from you is lovely.”
Inside, something—someone—screamed at me to force her to stay. Not because I could tolerate her, but because losing her meant losing to Madison.
Instead, I feigned indifference. “Chapel Falls or the Hamptons?”
“Chapel Falls.” She sucked the strawberry coating clean before dropping the bare stick back into the box. “I don’t mind marrying someone with kids. More children to surround myself with.”
What was with this woman and small humans?
“I’ll call Jared.” I brought my phone to my ear, unbelieving that, for the first time in my thirty-one years, someone had called my bluff—and that that someone enjoyed Henry Plotkin books and Cheaters.
“No need.” A satisfied hum buzzed up her throat at the taste of another Pocky stick. “I already called him. He’s on his way.”
You gave her an ultimatum. She chose. Now walk away with your dignity intact, and find another way to taunt Licht.
I pocketed my phone. “My lawyers will send you some papers to finalize the divorce. Shouldn’t take too long because of the prenup.”
A sweet, toothy smile grew around her snack. “Great!”
“Although …” I advanced a single step. “With the amount of time we’ve been married, perhaps an annulment is a better option.” An annulment would make her a sinner to Chapel Falls. The town would never let her live it down.
Dallas flipped her hair onto one shoulder, unmoved. “Listen here, Costa. I don’t care if you send me back with a pack of Chippendales at my side covered in used condoms. Anything is better than living in a prison, where I am constantly monitored, simultaneously ignored, and refused the only thing I want from you—a baby.”
“Is this truly the height of your aspirations?” I scowled. “To become a vessel to carry someone else, then their servant for the next eighteen years?”
“Yes. And before you tell me I need to smash the walls of patriarchy, wanting to fulfill myself as a mother and recognizing this is my passion is a choice just as noble as becoming a neurosurgeon.”
I was in complete disagreement with her, as usual, but it was pointless to debate the matter. A few seconds passed in silence.
“Why’re you still here?” She yawned. “Go away. Jared will be here any moment, and I’ll be nothing but an unfortunate memory.”
I should go. Pivot and leave. To my relief, I started doing just that. The echo of my footsteps bounced on the bare walls. I did not look back. Knew that if I caught a glimpse of her again, I’d make a mistake. This was for the best. It was time to cut my losses, admit my one mistake in my thirty-one years of life, and move on. My life would return to normal. Peaceful. Tidy. Noiseless. Unexpensive.
My hand curled around the doorknob, about to push it open.
“Hey, asshole.”
I stopped but didn’t turn around. I refused to answer to the word.
“What do you say—one last time for the road?”
I glanced behind my shoulder, knowing I shouldn’t, and found my soon-to-be ex-wife propped on the hood of my Maybach, her dress hiked up her waist, revealing she’d worn no panties. Her bare pussy glistened, ready for me. A dare. I never shied away from those.
Throwing caution to the wind (and the remaining few brain cells she hadn’t fried with her mindless conversation), I marched to her.