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.

"In here. Now," my grandfather barked, his brow furrowed as he led the way to the study.


Octavia had vanished into the night only moments after her devastating confession.


 I knew I had hurt her—the scars of our two-year arrangement were etched into her every word—but I hadn't realized the depth of the wound until she laid her heart bare on the dining table.


I stepped into the study, the heavy oak door clicking shut behind me.


"What the hell was that, Franklin?" he roared, turning to face me.


 "What is wrong with you? You had a woman who was faithful, who cared for you, who stood by you when you were at your lowest... and you let her walk out that door without a single word of regret?"


"I already told her I wasn't signing the papers, Grandpa," I said, my voice tight. "I'm not letting her go."


"Why?" he glared, his eyes boring into mine. "It's not as if you love her."


"I don't know! I just... I can't do it."


Chapter 40 - ~ 40