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 woke up feeling significantly more rested than the day before, the heavy exhaustion of childbirth finally beginning to clear from my mind.


Turning my head, my heart instantly melted at the sight beside me.


Franklin was sitting on the edge of the mattress, completely captivated by the tiny bundle cradled against his massive chest. He was still wearing his dark lounge pants, his broad, bare shoulders making him look like a literal fortress protecting our daughter. He was holding a tiny burp cloth, gently dabbing at Lael's chin.


"Good morning," I murmured, my voice a little rough from sleep.


Franklin's head snapped up immediately, the fierce, vigilant look in his dark eyes instantly dissolving into pure warmth when he looked at me. "Good morning, my queen," he whispered, leaning across the bed to press a soft, lingering kiss against my lips. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"


Chapter 263 - ~ 263