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Chapter 17
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 18
ClaireI spun my head around. It was Gerald. My jaw fell open. What in God’s name was he doing in France, let alone at this party?Arthur and I straightened up. Oblivious to the dynamic onstage, the crowd continued to cheer and hoot.“Kiss her! Kiss her!” they chanted.An especially jovial young man from the crowd cajoled us further, “Come on, mate!” he shouted at Arthur, “Kiss your girlfriend!”“Yeah!” someone echoed after him, “Give your sweet lady love a kiss?”Arthur smirked a little at lady love.But I was staring wide-eyed at Gerald. Had he really stalked me all the way to France?He was frowning. He looked furious.Without a word, Gerald leaned forward and grabbed my wrist. He began tugging me off-stage.“Hey!” I yelped, “Let go!”I wrestled my wrist out of his grasp but he refused to let go.“You’re hurting me, Gerald!” I squeaked.Gerald narrowed his eyes at me and then looked at me in scorn. “My wife,” he growled, “Is another man’s girlfriend. Did you not think that I needed
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 19
GeraldI roared in victory when I reached the end of the pool. Overpowered by testosterone and might, I hauled myself up, splashing water onto the concrete border. I ripped of my goggles and held my arms up. I had won.Surprisingly, no one cheered. I spun around.Huh?Claire was helping Arthur up out of the pool. A lifeguard and a paramedic had already appeared. And the whole crowd was filing towards them from the other side. Everyone looked appalled and concerned.Arthur was coughing and spluttering on the cement floor.“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he repeated, gesturing with his arm for everyone to stay away.Claire’s brows were knitted tight. She appeared so incredibly distressed.“Arthur,” she gasped, “Can you breathe?”Claire was dripping wet from head to toe. I had not even known that she could swim. She had never used the pool at my house.And, yet, she had so determinedly rescued him.She had chosen him over me … without a moment’s hesitation.My shoulders slumped. How could this hap
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 20
ClaireIf I had any trepidations about divorcing Gerald, they had all been discarded after tonight.How could he be so callous? Arthur had gotten injured in front of him … and all he had cared about was his stupid race! The man had no sportsman spirit at all! What he had done was inhumane!Gerald had always been cold and withdrawn towards me. I suppose I may have been like that towards him too sometimes. But I also understood that this was a quality that you needed to possess in order to excel at business.Arthur could be glacial, too. I had witnessed it myself on occasion.But when I had fainted outside a building, he had rushed me to a hospital. And that is what made him better than Gerald.Our taxi pulled up outside the hotel. Arthur pulled out his wallet and handed the driver his fare.When we got out, I tried to help him walk. “I’m fine, Claire! Trust me,” he said, gently pushing me away.“Well, then, I’m at least seeing you to your room,” I replied firmly.He hobbled up the step
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 1
ClaireMy hands ran cold as I stepped into the party. It was my first time out in society in three years.My husband, Gerald, and I had a wedding because I was carrying his baby. But my car skidded off the road in Atlanta, where I had been headed for a skiing trip. It had crashed.When I awoke a week later, a nurse had given me the unfortunate news. I had lost our baby. The child had been a baby girl. The hospital’s fluorescent lights had only further sharpened my pain. We had held a small funeral service and on the way back, Gerald had held my hand in between my sobs. “I'll arrange for you to see a therapist,” he told me one day, “if you need one.”We lived in a mansion in Massachusetts so I had had ample space in my retreat. Gerald owned a business empire in tech and recently, his team had developed Treble, a social media app that allowed people to share their thoughts and feelings musically.I constantly felt as though I was alone even though we were living in the same house. When
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 2
This wasn’t the first time that I had considered divorcing him either. Between the long periods of neglect and inattentiveness that Gerald had put me through, there had been his mother. Agatha had never approved of our marriage.What is more, I have already found a job. I have an exceptional passion for pursuing my aspirations. I don‘t want to—and I can't, stay at home forever.Gerald was an old-money businessman with an empire that spanned across the Americas, Vietnam, and Cambodia. I was the daughter of an electrical engineer who had majored in Marketing as a scholarship student. Gerald had been my classmate in college and we had gotten married because I was pregnant. I had thought that, after tonight, everything would change and I would publicly spend the rest of my life being celebrated as his wife.But I had learned the bitter truth: that he had never publicized our marriage because he was dating another woman.I came home, crumpled and teary-eyed. The lobby lights were switched
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 3
ClaireAll he did was shake his head and then doze off to sleep. I stood there in the dim light from the lamps outside the window. The gentle hum of the air conditioning was the only noise here apart from his snoring.I stared at him for a minute. How could he be so ruthlessly indifferent to the pain that he had caused me? In the early days after our wedding, I had tried to show him that I loved him. But he had tip-toed around our marriage as though he were ashamed of it. I had never expected much from my marriage, having seen that love was something not everyone got to have. My parents had always bickered with each other. They had never gotten along. So, I had made my peace with the idea that regardless of how absent Gerald was from my life, at least we weren’t always hurling insults at one another. But this? Bringing a curvy actress into the picture to show me what I was missing? That was a blow below the belt. I woke up in the morning to make my way to the bathroom and realized
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 4
ClaireThe security guards took hold of me by either arm as Gerald stood in front of me. “Let go of me!” I exclaimed, trying to shake them off, “I can walk by myself!”They barely loosened their grip.“Make sure you escort her to the exit of the building,” Gerald said. He had already dialed an ambulance and I had heard them take Christina away. I had been standing there, shaking and crying, begging for Gerald to listen to me.The only emotion on his face was that of pure, unadulterated loathing.The journey from the top floor to the ground floor exit was one of the longest in my entire life.I wiped the tears off my face before stepping down from the first flight of stairs.It seemed that every single employee in Gerald’s company had abandoned work to come examine me. I was overwhelmed by the dense din of murmuring as people stared shiftily at me everywhere.Their faces bore twisted expressions -- a mixture of curiosity, disgust, and surprise.And not one person knew who I was. They w
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 5
GeraldI was beside myself with panic and worry when I arrived at the hospital fifteen minutes ago. Shaking and sweating, I darted off to the reception. They told me that Christina had been taken into the emergency room.I sat down in the waiting room outside. I had my head clutched in both of my arms and was doing all I could to stop myself from breaking down in despair. Beyond the white doors in front of me, the doctors were resuscitating the woman I loved.I could not believe that this was happening. How could Claire have done such a thing?I could not imagine the pain that Christina was going through right now. My heart ached for her delicate body which had so viciously been thrust down such a steep flight of stairs.Who could treat someone this way? How could Claire have stooped so low? I had never known much about Claire despite the fact that we had been married for years.Three years ago, Christina had left for Paris to pursue her passion for ballet. When she told me, I felt my
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Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 20
ClaireIf I had any trepidations about divorcing Gerald, they had all been discarded after tonight.How could he be so callous? Arthur had gotten injured in front of him … and all he had cared about was his stupid race! The man had no sportsman spirit at all! What he had done was inhumane!Gerald had always been cold and withdrawn towards me. I suppose I may have been like that towards him too sometimes. But I also understood that this was a quality that you needed to possess in order to excel at business.Arthur could be glacial, too. I had witnessed it myself on occasion.But when I had fainted outside a building, he had rushed me to a hospital. And that is what made him better than Gerald.Our taxi pulled up outside the hotel. Arthur pulled out his wallet and handed the driver his fare.When we got out, I tried to help him walk. “I’m fine, Claire! Trust me,” he said, gently pushing me away.“Well, then, I’m at least seeing you to your room,” I replied firmly.He hobbled up the step
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 19
GeraldI roared in victory when I reached the end of the pool. Overpowered by testosterone and might, I hauled myself up, splashing water onto the concrete border. I ripped of my goggles and held my arms up. I had won.Surprisingly, no one cheered. I spun around.Huh?Claire was helping Arthur up out of the pool. A lifeguard and a paramedic had already appeared. And the whole crowd was filing towards them from the other side. Everyone looked appalled and concerned.Arthur was coughing and spluttering on the cement floor.“I’m fine, I’m fine,” he repeated, gesturing with his arm for everyone to stay away.Claire’s brows were knitted tight. She appeared so incredibly distressed.“Arthur,” she gasped, “Can you breathe?”Claire was dripping wet from head to toe. I had not even known that she could swim. She had never used the pool at my house.And, yet, she had so determinedly rescued him.She had chosen him over me … without a moment’s hesitation.My shoulders slumped. How could this hap
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 18
ClaireI spun my head around. It was Gerald. My jaw fell open. What in God’s name was he doing in France, let alone at this party?Arthur and I straightened up. Oblivious to the dynamic onstage, the crowd continued to cheer and hoot.“Kiss her! Kiss her!” they chanted.An especially jovial young man from the crowd cajoled us further, “Come on, mate!” he shouted at Arthur, “Kiss your girlfriend!”“Yeah!” someone echoed after him, “Give your sweet lady love a kiss?”Arthur smirked a little at lady love.But I was staring wide-eyed at Gerald. Had he really stalked me all the way to France?He was frowning. He looked furious.Without a word, Gerald leaned forward and grabbed my wrist. He began tugging me off-stage.“Hey!” I yelped, “Let go!”I wrestled my wrist out of his grasp but he refused to let go.“You’re hurting me, Gerald!” I squeaked.Gerald narrowed his eyes at me and then looked at me in scorn. “My wife,” he growled, “Is another man’s girlfriend. Did you not think that I needed
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 17
ClaireI leaned in close against the mirror, putting on my new chocolate-colored lipstick. Today, I put on a slight sheen over my eyelids, highlighted my waterline in white, and dabbed on a creamy blush.Perfect, I said to myself.I was having brunch with Arthur and Marc. When I arrived at the hotel lobby, Arthur was already standing there. He was wearing a sharp blue business suit. He was holding a leather-bound folder under his arm and glancing around. “How are you feeling?” I asked, smiling at him as I walked up.Arthur’s eyes were glittering in excitement. “Extremely happy,” he smiled warmly back at me.I took a sip of my cappuccino and began buttering my croissant. On the other side of the table, Marc removed his sunshades and placed them on the table. He opened the folder and began flipping through the pages.Arthur gazed eagerly at him.I had not felt this relaxed and comfortable in years. My eyes swelled up with gratitude at Arthur, who had afforded me a paid vacation that wa
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 16
ArthurI had no idea that Claire would be so interesting. Gerald was a cold hard business tycoon, not much different than myself. So, I had thought that Claire would be the same.In truth, the only reason that I had paid any attention to her at all in the beginning was because she was Gerald’s wife. I had thought that by learning more about her, I could get a better insight into the way that my business rival’s mind operated.The sole purpose of my life has been to make more money and help other people.“I have seen many men meet their demise,” my father had told me, “because they reveled in their luxury while others around them struggled. It is these kinds of people who are left with no motive in life.”He had been in a hospital bed, an IV plugged into his arm.“My son,” he had whispered, “Never become that way.”He had passed away the next morning. I had been eleven.My father had left me a large empire to begin with but, taking his advice and final wishes to heart, I had always str
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 15
ClaireThis was my first trip abroad since sophomore year when Jenny had taken me along to Italy with her. I had not had a honeymoon and Gerald and I had never taken a vacation. Jennifer had been so excited when I had told her that I was leaving for France.I laughed as I remembered this, settling into my spacious business-class seat. Arthur pulled open the entertainment screen and began browsing a Netflix series to watch during the long flight.“Do you want to watch in sync?” he asked with a smile when he caught me looking at his screen.I shook my head, blushing. “I hadn’t meant to pry,” I said. I was very excited, not just to explore Paris but about the promise and potential that this trip might hold for my career.Despite the scene that Christina had created, one of my new acquaintances from the party that night had shown up at the office with a proposal. Arthur had tabled it for now, but I was glad that my efforts had yielded fruit. It made me feel good about myself.We dug into
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 14
ClaireArthur was still shaking his head. I was clammed up against the wall. I could not move a single muscle. Deep inside me, I could feel revulsion, annoyance, and even anger. But, on the surface, all that I could feel was fear.My mind flashed back first to my mother, who had been dismissive of me throughout my life … and then to Agatha. Agatha had belittled, berated, and humiliated me. And what had I ever done? Nothing. Nothing at all.Arthur had been my safe person. I had thought that he would protect me. Every time that I had been in trouble, he had come to my rescue. And now look at what he had done!Why could I not express my rage? Why was I so afraid?“Why are you so afraid, Claire?” Arthur said. Could he read my mind? My throat was dry as sandpaper.“W-what do you mean?” I meekly let out. My voice was a whisper, barely there. But he had heard me.Arthur got up and walked over to the dresser across from me. He leaned against it and folded his hand over his chest.I flinched.
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 13
ClaireI gazed at Arthur with stunned gratitude. I took in a deep breath of relief.Arthur was a phenomenal human being. He was a generous boss and a gracious person. And look at the way that he had protected me in front of so many people!I recalled the way that he had helped me by calling me into his office when Gerald had been engaged in an altercation with me. It appeared that Arthur was here to save me again and again.It seemed that I could lay down my armor – the one that I was always hiding behind – and allow him to protect me. He was not just a boss. Arthur was a friend to me now.When I was dumbfounded in amazement, Gerald was frozen too. But I believed that it was for other reasons.A rustle of whispers erupted from the crowd. Everyone here was talking about us.Christina narrowed her eyes at me. “Stop pretending to be innocent,” she spat, “Nobody here is falling for your façade!”“And, you know what?” she took a step closer to me, screaming, “Stop asking Gerald for money!”
Divorced My CEO Husband, Married to His Enemy Chapter 12
ClaireChristina exuded elegance and grace as she glided up to us. She was adorned in a glittering silver dress. It fitted her figure perfectly. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders and bounced slightly as she moved.She was supported on one hand with a long wooden cane, which exposed her vulnerability while somehow adding to her strength, and on the other arm with Gerald’s tall frame. He was wearing a stylish black tuxedo of his own, adding only to the visual appeal of their companionship.They were walking slowly, giving Christina enough time to maintain her poise.A part of me wanted for her to have that at least: the grace to attend a party. I felt deeply sorry at the sight of her cane and hoped that she would not have to use it for much longer. Regardless of my personal relationship with her, it had upset me that she would never be able to dance again.It was a fate worse than death to lose something that one was passionate about. And I would not wish it upon anyone, not even the
