He threw money on the bed after our one-night stand.
I threw it back in his face at his own inauguration.
By sundown, we were engaged. By the week's end — married.
Franklin Flemington needed a wife to secure his empire. I needed a miracle to save my family. For two years, we played our parts flawlessly — the golden couple the whole city envied.
Behind closed doors, I was invisible to him.
When the two years were up, I handed him divorce papers without blinking.
He stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "I've given you everything a husband should. What more do you want from me, Octavia?"
I smiled, signed my name, and walked out.
I thought that was the end. I thought I'd finally won.
I forgot one thing — Franklin Flemington has never lost anything in his life. And he has no intention of starting with me.
Game on.

"I'm sorry, let me call you back," Franklin said calmly into his phone.


 Seconds later, the line went dead. He set the device on his desk and looked at me. 


"What do you mean you want a divorce, Octavia?"


He spoke so softly, with a touch of gentleness that almost made me believe he cared. But I knew better.


"Did I mumble, Franklin? I said I want a divorce. The two-year contract we signed—the Non-Disclosure Agreement—expires in one week. I'm giving you a heads-up now so there are no surprises. Our time is up. I expect you to abide by the rules we both agreed to."


"The contract hasn't expired yet," he countered, his voice unnervingly warm. 


He wasn't the sadistic egomaniac I had lived with for two years; he was acting like a reasonable man, which was far more terrifying.


 "Why would I want a divorce right this second?"


"Because it's been two years of hell and I want out!" I snapped, my frown deepening.


Chapter 32 - ~ 32