Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
I swallow down the emotion that tries to clog my throat. Being a mom and having a family was what I wanted for so long. Ever since I was a little girl and I first saw Blake, I was convinced I'd marry him. That one day he'd be mine. I would play make-believe in my mind. I really do need to grow up.
"That doesn't sound promising."
"Don't be cruel," I mutter. I don't need to be belittled. It’s not like I don’t know I’m up a creek without a paddle.
"I'm the cruel one? My wife stormed into my office and is now demanding a divorce."
"See right there." I lean forward. "I had to storm into your office. As a matter of fact, I had to secretly finish school early, get on a plane, and then sneak up to see my own husband.” I shake my head. "Some husband," I mutter under my breath, staring down at the floor. A low rumble comes from him that has my head snapping up.
"You were to finish school and then return home."
"Oh, was someone going to come over and give me my passport back? Would they care to stay and watch me walk across the stage?" Blake jerks back as though I slapped him.
"You don't have your passport?"
"No, you took it."
"How did you fly home?" I glance around. "Truly. How did you fly home?” There is a warning in his tone.
"I don't have to tell you shit." I watch his jaw flex and enjoy it far more than I should. He may be the one with the upper hand here, but I know him not knowing how I got here without my passport is going to drive him mad. He deserves the torture.
"I was unaware you did not have your passport. That is not something I would consent to. You were living abroad and could need to come home at any time."
Exactly.
"Yeah, God knows no one was coming to see me." I can’t help the little break in my voice that slips through.
"Are you telling me your parents never visited you? I remember that trips were discussed and planned, including the holidays." Oh, but he never planned to come himself? He can kick rocks.
"They came for a couple holidays and stopped for lunch or dinner a few times as well." If they had to pass by on their way to somewhere else.
"That doesn't make sense." He runs a hand down his face. I may not know him anymore, but I can tell he’s not acting.
"It doesn't need to. We'll set up a payment plan, and as soon as I get a job, I'll start paying you back.”
"You're aware that just a year for the classes alone costs two hundred thousand." Okay, that sounds like a lot. "Are you also aware that if you get a job at a museum or anything of that sort, you'd maybe get seventy-five thousand a year?"
I will be paying this off for the rest of my life. I really have been naïve and stupid.
"I understand, and I'll get a few jobs to try and pay you back."
"I don't want your money."
"What do you want then?"
"My wife."
"Blake, I have never been your wife. Let's be honest here." He holds up his hand with his wedding ring on. I'm still wearing my own as well.
The ring was another thing that had given me hope. I knew he had to have been the one to pick it out. It wasn't just some giant solitaire.
Oh, it's still big. The emerald-cut diamond in the center is likely ten carats, but a halo of smaller diamonds wraps around it and then down the band. It was Lady Merabello's ring, named the Royale Halo. I love it and the story behind it. It is rich with history. Only he would have taken note that I'd desire such a ring.
"You could work for me."
Wait, what? I don't care for the sound of this. No, I need as much space between Blake and me as possible if I ever want to get over him. Working for him would be disastrous.
"As what? An assistant?" I glance back toward the door where she disappeared. I'm not getting a great vibe from her. I might not know shit about men, but girls I got. She has eyes for my husband. Even though he’s my soon-to-be ex, I can’t help the smidgen of jealousy I feel about that.
I push that down. It doesn't matter. He can fuck her for all I care. Okay, I'll care, but I'm not going there.
“A sort of assistant.”
I narrow my eyes on him. The conversation better not be going where I think it is.
“I’m not a whore if you’re thinking—” His hand slams down on his desk, making me jump. When did he get so angry?
"I think the paperwork you brought makes that more than clear." Then why the hell is he so freaking mad? "You think so little of me." Oh, damn. Why does he care? He hasn't considered my thoughts in years, if he ever did. I shrug a response, only pissing him off more. I can see the tops of his ears actually getting red. "Then I might as well live up to that expectation."