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.

"Fuck! I messed up. I messed up big time," I growled, slamming my palm against the steering wheel as I tore down the highway away from Octavia's apartment.


The words I'd spoken to her replayed in my head like a car crash in slow motion. "I'm falling in love with you, Octavia..." Why couldn't I have just kept my mouth shut? She was still married. She was still healing. By confessing now, I hadn't just been forward; I'd been reckless. I'd made things awkward, and in my world, awkward was a luxury I couldn't afford.


"I'm on my way," I said the moment I picked up, my voice tight.


"You were supposed to be here an hour ago, Clinton. Don't keep me waiting." He didn't wait for a reply before hanging up.


Chapter 52 - ~ 52