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.

I tossed and turned until the sheets were a tangled mess.


 Sleep was a ghost I couldn't catch. Every time I drifted off, Octavia's face appeared—not the smiling woman from the orphanage, but the girl with the jagged, angry eyes from the restaurant.


I sat up, raking my hands through my hair, and grabbed my phone. 1:55 AM. The house was silent, but my mind was screaming. I couldn't wait until morning. I dialed Anthony.


"Hello?" he answered, his voice thick with sleep.


"Anthony. I need a formal invitation sent to the JeffTech executive team immediately. It's a mandatory strategic retreat for both companies.


 Professional tone, high stakes. We're heading to the Lakeshore Resort on Long Island this weekend. Everyone attends—no exceptions, especially not Octavia."


"I... I understand, sir. I'll draft it first thing in the morning—"


"No," I cut him off, my voice cold and firm. "I need it in their inboxes before dawn. I want them waking up to this news."


Chapter 66 - ~ 66