Chapter 4

I sat at the private dining table, drumming my fingers nervously against the tablecloth. The soft glow of candlelight reflected off the crystal wine glass in front of me. The place was luxurious—too luxurious for someone like me. But then again, I supposed I was supposed to be someone new now

I adjusted the necklace around my throat and sighed, my heart beating wildly. I knew why. Richard. He was coming. I invited Richard to this restaurant to talk to him about the engagement. I want him to call it off.

The second the door opened, my breath caught. He walked in, and for a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. He was stunning. Every inch of him radiated confidence and power. His tall muscular frame moved with a kind of quiet authority. The way his tailored suit hugged his body made it impossible to look away. Dark hair, slightly tousled, a sharp jawline that was both intimidating and seductive. And those eyes—icy blue, the kind that seemed to look right through you, like they could see every thought, every fear. I hated how much my body reacted to him.

When our eyes locked, the world around us seemed to blur and fade. Time slowed down. It felt as if I had known him forever, and yet, he was still a stranger. A stranger I was supposed to marry in a few weeks.

I snapped out of my daze as he took the seat across from me. He didn’t rush, didn’t stumble. Richard Garrison was always in control. His presence filled the room, and I hated how aware I was of it.

“Tamera,” he said smoothly, sending shivers down my arms, “How are you?l.”

I didn’t know how to respond. I'm fine? A sarcastic remark? I couldn’t decide, so I just looked down at my glass, swirling the wine inside.

“You’re late,” I finally said, hoping to sound unaffected, but my voice came out softer than I intended.

He didn’t apologize. Of course, he didn’t. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, watching me with those piercing eyes. “I had a business meeting. But I’m here now.”

There was something in the way he said it, something cold and distant, and yet I couldn’t help but feel a magnetic pull toward him. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met again, and I cursed myself for reacting to him like this. I shouldn’t have felt this way. Not about him.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “tell my parents you are not interested in the marriage or whatever you want from,” I said firmly, finally meeting his gaze with the determination I had been trying to summon since I sat down. “I don’t want this. I don’t want to marry you.”

There was a pause, and for a brief moment, I saw something flicker in his eyes—something unreadable, almost vulnerable. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual cool exterior.

“No,” he said simply. “I won’t cancel it. The marriage is important to me.”

I felt a flash of anger rise in me. Important to him? What about what was important to me?

“You don’t even know me,” I said, my voice rising slightly. “How can you say that? You can’t just... force me into this.”

Richard’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone remained calm, infuriatingly calm. “This isn’t about force, Tamera. It’s about what’s best. For both of us.”

“For both of us?” I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “You don’t get it. I’m still married. Max—”

“if this man you got married to really matters then why haven't you gone back to him yet? Why hasn't he come looking for you?” Richard interrupted. His eyes flickered with something dark and I froze.

I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. How did he know about Max? I felt my heart race as I thought about my ex-husband, the years I wasted on him. The humiliation. The betrayal. And yet, even after everything Max did, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I hated myself for it. I had been loyal, I loved him, I stayed by his side through everything—and he fucked me over.

“That’s not the point,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m still his wife.”

“On paper,” Richard said coldly. “. And from what I heard, you signed divorce papers in jail.”

His words cut deep because they were true. I couldn’t deny the chemistry between us, this strange pull I felt every time I was near him. But I hated it. I hated that I was reacting this way to him. I hated that he was right. And more than anything, I hated that I felt like I was betraying Max, even though he never gave me the loyalty I gave him.

“I see you did your research on me” he didn't say a word while I took a deep breath, blinking abruptly before adding. “The divorce hasn't been finalized in court. You know what, I can’t do this. I won’t marry you.”

“Tamera—” Richard began, but I cut him off.

“No!” I snapped. “This... this thing we are about to do.. it is not right. At all!” finding this man attractive was one thing. Marriage was another. The fact that I found him attractive, amd an obvious chemistry between us that couldn't be denied made me even angrier. He was a stranger. I shouldn't be cheating on max with him like this. I felt worthless.

“It is only a matter of time before you realise just what this means to us Tammie” he said. “It is also a matter of time before you stop denying that you are drawn to me too.”

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. “Excuse me?” I rose to my feet almost immediately, letting out a scoff as I rolled my eyes “don't you think you are getting a little ahead of yourself here?”

He also rose to his feet and stepped closer, his eyes burning into mine. “You feel it, Tamera. I know you do. The chemistry between us is undeniable. You’re drawn to me, just like I’m drawn to you.”

My heart raced. My body reacted to his nearness in a way I couldn’t control. He was too close now, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him. Every nerve in my body was screaming, and I wanted to push him away. But I also wanted to pull him closer.

“I’m not,” I said, but my voice betrayed me. It was weak. Unconvincing.

He took another step closer, his gaze intense. “You are. And you hate it because it’s stronger than anything you ever felt for Max.”

That hit me like a punch to the gut, and I gasped, stepping back. But as I did, a flash of memory flickered in my mind—Richard’s face, younger, softer, like a forgotten dream. A memory. I stumbled, overwhelmed, and clutched the edge of the table for support.

“What...?” I whispered, my head spinning. What had I just seen?

Richard’s expression changed. Instantly, his expression softened to one of concern. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. I needed to leave. I needed air.

Without another word, I turned and rushed toward the door, desperate to escape. But as I reached the entrance of the restaurant, something caught my eye.

My heart dropped into my stomach.

There, across the room, was Max. And he wasn’t alone. He was sitting at a table, leaning close to a beautiful woman I didn’t recognize, his hand on hers, smiling in a way he never did with me. Before I could look away, he leaned in and kissed her—passionately, deeply, right there in front of everyone.

I felt like I had been punched in the chest. He never kissed me like that. Not in public. Not with that kind of love.

Tears blurred my vision, and I turned on my heel, rushing out the door, my heart shattering into pieces.

As I pushed through the exit, gasping for breath, I didn’t even realize I was crying until the cool night air hit my tear-streaked cheeks.

Richard’s voice called after me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Because in that moment, everything I thought I knew crumbled away, and I was left standing there, broken and lost.

When I got outside, I got a good look at myself through a window outside. I looked plain. My hair was styled in a bun. I was dressed in a casual blue dress with flats. There was nothing flattering about me. I felt worthless at that very moment. I couldn't help but blame myself. Maybe if I had just been better, maybe if I had tried harder. Maybe things wouldn't have ended like this.

But max? Max really was a bad person. A horrible person to say the least. I had thought trying harder would finally make him notice me but how wrong had I been for so long. At that very moment I was tired of feeling sorry for myself, tired of hanging on to a marriage that was clearly over. A love that was clearly one sided. I was tired of being manipulated. I needed to be someone else. Although I don't remember who I was in the past but I knew for sure I wasn't this pathetic and worthless

So I made a decision.

I was going to change myself for the better. I'd make them all regret the things they did to me.