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.

By the time the credits rolled on Dr. No, the digital clock on my microwave was crawling toward 10:00 PM. The apartment was quiet, the only sound being the hum of the refrigerator and the distant siren of a New York City ambulance.


"What a great movie," I sighed, stretching my arms high above my head until my back cracked. "There's just something about those old classics that feels more grounded, even with all the spy gadgets."


"Indeed," Clinton nodded, looking more relaxed than I had seen him in weeks. He gestured toward the coffee table, which was currently a graveyard of McDonald's wrappers and empty soda cups. "Do you need help tidying up the mess we made?"


"Nah, I've got it. Don't worry about it," I said, waving him off. "You paid for the meal; cleaning up is the least I can do. Besides, it's officially time for you to head home."


"Why do I have to go home?" he asked, pouting with a mock-sadness that almost made me smile.


Chapter 86 - ~ 86