Semua Bab Dear Ex-Husband, Revenge is Mine!: Bab 11 - Bab 20

MAVERICK I never gambled. I’d never made reckless bets. I sure as hell had never waited for a ghost before.Yet, here I was. Sitting in the grand ballroom of the charity gala that had been organized by my father, surrounded by Seattle’s elite, my whiskey untouched as I stared occasionally at the door.Waiting for Iris.Call it wishful thinking, but when I sent a text to Iris three days ago, I’d hoped that she would show up. I took my phone out, opening up Iris’s chat.The last message was from me. The night after our dinner, I’d gotten hopeful when she said she would think about it. So I’d sent her a text:‘Charity gala, Sunday, 9pm. If you ever change your mind, you’ll find me there.’It was a long shot. I never took risks like that, but something about Iris Blake made me want to break my own rules. She was the best option for this. I had no other choice.She should have been here by now. Iris was supposed to want this as much as I wanted. She was supposed to crave revenge just lik

IRIS I made sure my expression didn't give anything away as I spoke. It had been two years since I last saw Eleanor. The woman who had smiled in my face pretending to be my friend, and then slept with my husband and took my place.My ex-husband.And now? She stood in front of me, wearing an expensive, too-tight, obvious dress, her hair curled to near perfection. Her sharp eyes drank me in, sizing me up like I was her competition.“Well, here I am, Eleanor,” I said, flashing her a fake grin. “Did you miss me?”Maverick squeezed my hand, silently asking if he should remove me from this situation, but I shook my head gently. This conversation was long due.Eleanor’s lips curled into something resembling a smirk. “Of course, it’s always a pleasure seeing you, Iris.”Liar, but I could play that game.I clapped my hands together, tilting my head. “And look at you, Eleanor,” I purred. “Enjoying your promotion from assistant to wife.”If I hadn't been paying attention, I wouldn’t have heard

IRIS Quentin Sinclair was just as I remembered him.Tall and handsome, dressed in a black tailored suit that screamed money and authority. His salt-and-pepper chin-length hair was tied in a low ponytail.Now that he was in front of me, I could see how much Maverick resembled him. His cold eyes regarded me, and I didn't miss the sneer on his lips.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “Mr. Sinclair,” I greeted coolly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”“I missed you at the gala. Didn't get a chance to talk to you and I would love to do that right now,” he paused, looking around. “In private.”Holding back a sigh, I nodded, leading him through the hallways until we got to a secluded area. His bodyguards lurked around but they weren’t close enough to hear.His lips twitched as he looked at me.“Let’s not waste time with pleasantries, Ms. Blake,” his voice was leveled. Calm. “We both know why I’m here.”I crossed my arms. “Do we?”When I was still married to Sebastian, there w

IRIS A ring. A fucking ring.I had known this was coming. Of course, I had. This was all part of the plan, the arrangement, the show we were putting on for the world to watch.But somehow, sitting in Maverick’s car as he drove us to one of the most exclusive jewelry stores in Seattle, I felt like I was walking into a trap. Or maybe, I was setting the trap myself.Maverick’s car was too quiet. Too still.I was still a bit shaken over Quentin’s visit. Quentin had already planted a seed of doubt. And I was fairly sure that he wasn’t the only one who had a feeling that it wasn’t a real marriage.Moving in with Maverick would change that, and—more importantly— also protect my daughter. Still, I hated this.“You’re quiet,” Maverick finally said, turning his head to glance at me.I hated how easily he played his part. Hated that he was so calm while the inside of my head was a fucking mess.And I was the one who had been married before.The irony was glaring.I kept facing forward even as

IRIS Maverick’s sharp, calculating gaze zeroed in on the picture.My breath hitched and I exchanged panicked glances with Megan, racking my brain for an explanation that would fit.His expression didn't change at first, but I knew him well enough by now to notice the subtle shift. The tightening of his jaw.Maverick took a step closer to the photo. My stomach dropped.“Whose baby is this?” His voice was too calm. Too steady. If I didn't come up with a reasonable explanation right away, I was going to start hyperventilating. Already, my breath was coming out in short pants.Calm down, Iris. Fucking think.Before I could scramble for a response, Megan swooped in like the goddamn superhero she was.“Oh, that’s my daughter!” She chirped casually, moving to stand beside me. “Isn’t she adorable? Iris loves taking pictures with her.”I was so close to falling to my knees and worshipping Megan.Maverick turned, studying her with that same unreadable intensity.“You have a child?” he asked he