All Chapters of Love and Devotion: No Longer His to Claim: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

In a daze, Angela heard the familiar yet distant voice of Marie. She jolted slightly. In the hazy light of her dream, she saw Marie looking at her quietly with a gentle and loving gaze.Angela was stunned. Her voice trembled as she murmured, "Mom, is that you? I've missed you so much!"Tears filled Marie's eyes. "My child, you've suffered so much." Angela lowered her head, and her tears began streaming down like a broken dam. She hadn't cried like this in a dream for a long time.Her tears soaked the pillow, dampening her dreams.The faint sound of her soft sobs stirred Dexter from his sleep in annoyance. He thought irritably, "Why is she making noise in the middle of the night now?"He threw off the covers, ready to scold her, but stopped short when he realized that she was crying. Angela was curled up on the floor. She looked so small. At that moment, she looked like a child who hadn't yet grown up.However, her tears were real.An odd feeling of frustration surged in Dext

Angela gritted her teeth and stepped aside.Dexter propped himself using the bed. He stood up slowly and walked over to the wooden cabinet. Then, he opened it and pulled out her livestream setup and phone.Angela's expression turned icy. "Dexter, don't you dare go so far as to take away my livelihood!""Take away your livelihood? Ha! Is that something that should even come out of your mouth?" he snarled as though he wanted to tear her apart. "You're Mrs. Bamford! Yet, you go online to make money by exposing yourself! Don't you feel ashamed? I, for one, am utterly mortified!" "What's there to be embarrassed about? I didn't even show my face! I'm making money with my own two hands. It's not like I stole or obtained it illegally. Why can't I make money this way?" Angela retorted frigidly, her rebellious side kicking in."Does the Bamford family not provide for you well enough? Do you really need to stoop to something as cheap as flaunting yourself online?" Dexter threw her equipme

Angela took the towel from Donna and wiped herself off haphazardly."Don't poke your nose into others' business unnecessarily, Ms. Carrey," Angela said with a light smile. When she looked up again, her eyes held a cold, fierce glint. Did they all really think she was a pushover and someone anyone could just trample on without regard?"It was Mr. Bamford who asked me to take you outside. This way, please." Erica wore a smug look as she gestured for Angela to step out. Her words sounded polite, but her attitude was utterly provocative.Angela couldn't tolerate her any longer. "Donna, please close the door. I have a few things to say to Ms. Carrey." Donna wanted to dissuade her but stopped short when Angela gave her a firm look.Erica thought Angela was scared and became even bolder. "What is it? Are you trying to bribe me? Sorry, but my loyalty lies with Mr. Bamford." "Don't misunderstand. I just wanted to teach you a lesson." Angela slowly walked over to Erica, indifferently e

Donna took off the thin golden necklace to show it to Angela. It looked delicate and elegant. Angela felt a twinge of envy. She sighed and lamented, "No one is quite the same, Donna. Your husband treats you well, and you treat him well in return. That's how it should be. "But with someone like Dexter… Do you think I can bring myself to treat him well? I stopped seeing him as my husband a long time ago, so why should I respect him or love him? I'd rather use that energy to treat myself better." Donna didn't know what to say to that. In the shadows, Dexter overheard her words with absolute clarity. Did she no longer consider him her husband? Dexter took a deep breath and pushed down the strange, stifling feeling within him. He coughed and stepped out of the shadows.Angela quickly finished the oatmeal porridge in her bowl."Tomorrow night, come with me to Bamford Manor. Grandpa is hosting a mixer." He informed Angela coldly, his expression unreadable.Angela didn't look up a

Angela nodded and was about to say something in response to Finn's kind offer of help when someone suddenly bumped into her forcefully from behind. It nearly sent her tumbling to the floor on all fours. Luckily, Finn was quick enough to catch and steady her.But before Angela could fully regain her balance, the brute who had bumped into her grabbed her wrist and murmured, "May I have this dance, miss?" It was Dexter.Even with his dark costume and makeup, his commanding presence and those deep-set, piercing eyes gave his identity away immediately.Why couldn't he leave her alone?Finn hadn't recognized Dexter's voice. Holding onto Angela's hand, he looked Dexter in the eye and said, "She's my partner for this evening, sir." Inwardly, Angela cursed like a sailor vehemently. Still, she chose not to acknowledge Dexter. She pretended as if she didn't recognize him either."Oh, really?" Dexter fixed his gaze on her, his eyes flashing dangerously. "So, do you like him?" Angela wan