Cameron gazed upward and shot Cade a lazy smile. The look she gave him was filled with scorn and defiance. It was as if she were staring at an idiot. She turned to leave.Cade grabbed her by her arm and nearly lifted her off the ground. The pain shooting through her arm left her completely incensed."Do you have any idea what you look like right now, Cade?" She stared straight at him and enunciated every word. "You're like a jealous husband who's throwing a hissy fit for no reason."There was a dark look in his eyes as he spoke mockingly. "Jealous husband to who? You? You have a way of flattering yourself. There's not a shred of basic self-awareness in you at all.""Then who is it that's forcing me to make a choice? You're so angry that it seems like you caught me cheating…"Cameron smirked."Why don't you ask Mr. Monet what all this looks like?"Having been mentioned by name, Fabian looked incredibly distressed. He was frantically signaling to Cameron with his eyes to not mention
Cameron's words were blunt and harsh, leaving Cade laughing out of sheer rage."Are you stupid, Cameron? Others are capable of making the most out of any situation, but you somehow mess up even the best opportunities."She raised her hand and patted his chest. It looked as if she was brushing off nonexistent dust, but Cade had a feeling that she was actually wiping her hands on his shirt. She tilted her head and smiled, looking as sly as a fox."Are you saying that you're a 'good opportunity'?"He turned to look away to avoid her gaze. "You're still my wife in name.""What if I butt heads with the Ackerman family?"He turned his gaze back to her, his expression cold. "I'll find you a perfect burial ground only because you're my wife."There was a flicker in Cameron's eyes as her gaze grew unfocused."A burial ground? No, thank you. Just let me take my money to the grave. I don't want to end up a penniless spirit who still has to work even in the afterlife."She had already bou
"Oh, Paul, take me.""Calista Everhart, look at me. Who am I?" The lights were switched on. Calista's eyes widened the moment she recognized the man's face. "Lucian Northwood? What are you doing here!"Lucian held her chin with a cold expression. "If you dare to send yourself to my bed, you should know I'm not easy to deal with." "It's not what you think. I was wrong …" She tried to free herself, but it was too late. Agonizing pain consumed her the entire night. After the deed, Lucian tossed a credit card at her. But she slapped him across the face. He licked the corner of his lips and sneered. "Isn't this what you came for?"His words destroyed her, but there was no turning back now. "Lucian Northwood, I don't want money. I want you to marry me!"Three years later. Calista was watching the entertainment news at Everglade Manor. The report covered a dancer named Lily Scott, who accidentally fell off the stage. The scene was a mess. A man in a suit walked through the crowd with
"Calista Everhart, what do you mean by this? A divorce agreement?"Calista woke up as soon as she heard Lucian's voice. "Literally, a divorce."He smiled coldly. "Before you go to work, come to my office and take this trash away. I want you to be at Everglade Manor at 8 pm. Bring your luggage too." She sneered. "Lucian Northwood, are you—"Before she questioned his sanity, she suddenly understood why he was contacting her."You don't have to worry about Lily being called a homewrecker. The only people who know about our marriage are our parents and close friends. "To the outsiders, you're still the good guy willing to fully support your girlfriend's career and suffer the loneliness. Now that your sacrifice has borne fruit, everyone is happy for you." Pictures of Lucian sending Lily to the hospital had been taken and released last night. And now, Calista was bringing up a divorce. Lily would take the blame as the homewrecker if words got out.When Calista finished, she realized that
The words "living separately" squeezed Calista's heart. It was a sad and painful feeling. She could count how many times Lucian came back to Everglade Manor after they got married. It was no different from living separately."There are only three months left. I don't see the point in living together." He stared at her for a few moments. Then, he smirked. "I decide if it's pointless or not. Ask David for a two-hour break today. Bring your luggage back to the manor." "I—" A knock on the door interrupted her. David was outside. He reminded Lucian, "Mr. Northwood, the meeting will start soon."Lucian buttoned up his sleeves. "Get out."Calista remained unfazed. "Lucian Northwood, I am not going back.""You keep saying the same thing over and over." This wasn't the first time they had fought. So, he was unbothered. It wasn't the first time she had moved out, either. But it usually took her a few days before she returned. She knew he wasn't buying it and thought it was a waste of t
Calista was using Lucian's credit card. She thought it would be a waste to use her money to stay at a hotel.She called Yara to ask for her address. Then, she drove there. Jonathan followed her the entire way, but she ignored him.An ornament scratched her hand as she took her luggage out of the car. It was bleeding, but fortunately, it wasn't serious.Yara lived on the 17th floor. She was expecting Calista, so she left the door slightly open. She was momentarily stunned when Calista brought her luggage into the house. Calista hadn't mentioned it over the phone. Yara thought Calista looked like she had run away from home.She skipped putting on her face mask as she helped Calista with the luggage. "You should've told me about your luggage. I could've waited for you downstairs …"Then, she said, "You have a scratch. What happened?" Yara was worried and wanted to get a medical kit. But Calista stopped her. "It's fine. It'll heal in no time.""You spent so much money taking care of y
The journey to Stansend Manor was quiet. Jonathan didn't dare to change the speed in such a tense atmosphere.It wasn't until he stopped at the parking lot that he heaved a long sigh. He got out of the car to open the door for them.Unlike Lucian, Calista didn't particularly enjoy such service. She was about to open the door, but he suddenly asked, "I like someone brainless with a hot body?"Calista almost choked on her saliva. She forgot that she said that. She only wanted to speak ill of him. Who even knew what type of woman he was into?She looked back and noticed his gaze. It fell just below her collarbone. Calista wasn't sure if it was intentional. Something was brewing in his gaze, one that she took as disdain. "Don't men like big boobs in general?" That would explain his lack of arousal throughout their marriage. But Lily wasn't that curvy either.Lucian frowned. "I don't."Calista could only smile. Her beauty had a fierceness to it. And with that smile, she coul
Calista didn't notice anything wrong with what Lucian said. Besides, she was still angry about his indifference. So, she responded with a sullen hum. Lucian took a sip of the soup. He placed the spoon back with a little force, and it clanged against the bowl. He then lifted the blankets and lay down. Calista still had her back to him as she turned off her bedside lamp. After that, she closed her eyes, ready to sleep.For the past year, they would sometimes sleep in the same bed. But there was always space between them. The bed was big enough to fit two people. However, that night was different. Calista was fast asleep when Lucian suddenly pressed his body against her. His firm chest pressed against her back, and she was wrapped in his embrace. She could feel his muscles through the thin layers of his clothing.His hot and rough breath brushed against her ear, raising the temperature in the room. It was scorching. Before Calista could react, she felt something pressing again