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145 Love gets in the way
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My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 146 genius
“Ugh!” Monica groans. She drops the skirt she was working on to grab another Band-Aid and a fresh finger condom. “Why can’t I sew the one time I need to?” She asks, not expecting an answer. Beatrice laughs. “If you figure it out, please tell me because I am having the same issue.” She smacks the sewing machine she was currently arguing with before beginning to curse at it in French. “Merde inutile. Je prendrai plaisir à te frapper avec une batte.” Monica doesn't even know what she was saying, but the evil glint in her eye makes her suspect she was threatening dismemberment to Maude, as they have come to call that particular, and persnickety, machine. Holding up her freshly re-bandaged hands, Monica tells Beatrice, “Normally, I would be down to back up whatever you are planning, but I would leave DNA allover the place right now. I can be your alibi, though.” Grinning, she adds in a saccharin, innocent voice, “Officer, Bea was with me the whole time. Right by my side.” Monica goes ove
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 147 Compitition of love
Then they look at Monica but Monica doens't know. Her plan all along was to return to New York and Nora, using the experience from the contest to grow her own voice and designs. But Jackson made things much more complicated. He can’t leave Paris and House Corbin to come to New York with her, and if she doesn't don’t win the competition—which is wholly unlikely, given that Jacqueline selects the winner—she doesn't have a way to stay in France. She needs to design and make a living, and without the contest, she can’t afford a place to live, don’t have a job, and don’t even have a work permit to allow her to stay. “Go home to NYC, I guess. Nora’s waiting on me to help with her next collection, and with the baby shower,” Monica answers, giving one possibleoutcome. A month ago, that would have sounded awesome, but now, it was missing one big factor—Jackson. They chat a little longer before returning to their work, then go quiet as they get closer and closer to the finish line. Palms swea
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 148 Unknown hands
The most important show of her life to date, but still only one. They don’t have to be besties and braid each other’s hair later. “Oh-kay, well, let’s get you ready for the first outfit,” Monica tells her, taking control as she removes the shift that she had planned for Marisol from its bag and hangs it on her rack. She huffs, snootily correcting Monica. “You mean get the outfit ready for me.” She finds her reflection in the mirror behind her and turns to assessherself, running her hands over her curves. Or where there would be curves if she had any. “Riiight,” She agreed. “Either way, we need to make a few adjustments.” Chloe waves a hand dismissively. “I will wear whatever you give me.” No shit. That’s literally was her job, bitch. Monica nerves are shot, her filter disappearing by the second, and soon, it will be one big, open netting with so many holes that there will be nothingstopping the angry thoughts that crosses her brain from coming right out of her mouth. “Stay here,” M
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 149 mistake
For all intents and purposes, she is nude, and Jackson makes a point of keeping his eyes on hers and nowhere else. “What are you doing here, Chloe?” Jackson snarls.“Oh, don’t be like that. I’m working, same as you.” She purrs ‘working’ as though offering to fuck Jackson on the runway. Hell, she probably would if she thought it would get her some camera time and notoriety. “You are not one of the models for these shows.” She grins, quite pleased to know something Jackson doesn't know. “Well, word is one of the models had to be replaced last-minute, and then another fell sick. I have good friends at House Corbin, so when they asked me to step in, I couldn’t say no.” She puts her hands on her hips, inviting him to look his fill, but Jackson looks anywhere but at her. “And here I am.” There was a difference in professional models behaving in a professional.manner and what Chloe’s doing. She was intentionally showing off her body,and that’s not acceptable. Especially given their history
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 150 Clusterfuck
The makeup artist is re-oiling Jackson's chest, muttering something about Chloe wiping it all off and the photos looking like a piss-poor wax job of a surfboard. Jackson guesses that was all he was good for—a shiny, hard surface. He tries to catch Monica's eye, but she was on her knees, cutting the shoes off Chloe’s ankles with angry snips from a pair of orange scissors, and Jackson wonders if she was going to cut Chloe’s Achilles tendons with the way she was waving the scissors around. It would serve Chloe right after whatever the hell that walk was. Chloe seems wholly unaffected, though, actually examining her nails with a smug lilt to her lips while Monica freaks out. When Monica stands and pulls the dress off Chloe, she finally looks around and catches his gaze. He was stuck, wanting to go over and encourage her but knowing she wants to earn this on her own. Monica's eyes are full of fire, and he tries to send her a mental message . . .Good girl. Keep fighting. The competition’
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 151 Shattered dreams
She doesn't process what she was saying. Monica doesn't even truly hear her. The only things keeping her feet rooted to this spot are Molly blocking her and the anger and hurt building from deep in her soul, swirling up to the surface. Chloe finally releases Jackson after what seems like an eternity but is probably only two seconds, and then she smiles, holding his hand as theystrut back. As they come through the curtain, everyone backstage begins clapping in celebration of a good show, congratulating each other and hugging friends. Monica stomps up to Jackson and Chloe, barking, “What was that?” She was still attached to Jackson's Side like a barnacle, and while he was not touching her, he’s not stopping her from touching him either. Chloe grinshappily as she gives Jackson an intimate look. “Oh, just a little kiss for old time’s sake.” “What?” Monica says quietly as the words slap her squarely in the chest. “Youtwo . . .” Monica points back and forth between them. Chloe laughs, a
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 152 Trapped
“Oui,” Jacqueline says unapologetically. “And I insured that your designs were . . . well, less than they already were.” She presses her perfectly lined lips together as she gloats, as though she was trying to keep from laughing out loud—at Monica. Monica crosses her arms, glaring at her. “You needed to learn what you refused to see. My nephew is a man of appetites and expectations, and you meet neither. With your designs, or with . . . yourself.” She looks down her nose at her, scanning Monica from head to toe, making her feel like a slug unworthy of oxygen or her presence. It’s as though Monica can hear her thoughts . . . You are not good enough. Not for Jackson—he deserves better. Not for House Corbin—inexperienced, unimaginative hack. You are nothing but a small-town girl who should know her place, which is at most as the Apple Saucing Queen. That voice was all too familiar—it was her mother’s, but amped up, playing to the insecurities she holds at her core. Monica have fought ha
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 153 Daggers
Jackson was thankful when he finally made it to his apartment. Even Xerxes can’t improve his mood right now, though he tries valiantly. When he peels his clothes off, dropping them on the floor, he curls up in his shirt, licking at the oily residue. Jackson should scold him, but he doesn't care right now . . . about anything. He was empty inside because he gave his only heart to Monica and she dropped it on the fucking floor like it was nothing.Like he was nothing. He climbs in the shower, washing oil out of nooks and crannies that should definitely not have oil in them. As he rubs shampoo into his hair and down the back of his neck, he feels the chain lying there, heavy and accusatory. Jackson grips it in his fist, wanting to rip it off and be free of the shackle to the woman he loves who didn’t love him enough to stay. But he can’t do it. He was too weak. He releases the necklace, but his hand won’t unfurl, and before he knows it, Jackson rears back and punch the tile wall of the
Latest chapter
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage Epilogue
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 173 Altar to his future
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 172 prayers
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 171 Dreams and dreams
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 170 Across the knowledge
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 169 love bites to moon
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 168 A life of assurance
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 167 Pure truth
My Dismissive Fake-Love Marriage 166 Love is so cruel
