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 grand ballroom of the Flemington Tower was a sea of shimmering gold and cold ambition. 


It was the fiftieth anniversary of the Flemington Group, a milestone that felt more like a sentence to me. I wasn't there for the brand, and I certainly wasn't there for Franklin. I was there for Frederick.


But public perception is a ruthless beast. To the world, I was still the Mrs. Flemington. To play the part, I had to wear the weight of my past—the heavy wedding band and the engagement ring that felt like a shackle against my skin.


I arrived early, hoping to find a moment of peace before the vultures of the press descended. Frederick spotted me immediately, his face lighting up like a Christmas tree. He rushed over, pulling me into a fierce bear hug.


"You came," he whispered, stepping back to kiss both my cheeks. "I was worried you'd changed your mind."


"I couldn't disappoint you, Frederick. Not after everything."


Chapter 54 - ~ 54