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.

The following morning, I called into the office to let them know I wouldn't be coming in. My head still felt like it was encased in lead, and the thought of facing the fluorescent lights of the firm—or worse, another run-in with Bella—was more than I could handle. Besides, I was expecting Clinton. After our phone call, we had arranged for him to come by the apartment that afternoon.


When the knock finally came, I took a deep breath before opening the door. Clinton stood there, looking polished yet casual in a dark sweater, a hesitant but warm smile on his face.


"Hey. Come on in." I stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.


"Thank you for having me," he said as I closed the door. He reached out, and we shared a brief, lingering hug. "I'll be honest, Octavia—I really thought I'd lost the privilege of seeing you again. I thought you might never talk to me after everything."


Chapter 85 - ~ 85