The words barely registered. My stomach dropped the second the hotel staff told us we’d be sharing a
room.
I stared at her like she’d made a mistake. My chest tightened, heat crawling up my neck.
“One room?” I asked, trying to stay calm, but my voice cracked slightly. “Are you sure?”
The woman smiled politely. “Yes, ma’am. The hotel is fully booked. This suite is all we have.”
I could feel my pulse thumping hard. My fingers twitched as my brain tried to catch up. This couldn’t be happening. We had shared a room before, back when everything was different back when I was foolish enough to believe he loved me but that man was gone. This Rick barely looked at me unless he had to.
Rick stepped forward, barely sparing me a glance. “It’s just one night,” he said calmly, like it was no big deal. “Let’s not create a scene.” I didn’t understand why he was being this casual about it at all.
My legs moved to follow him, but my stomach twisted tighter with every step.
My thoughts spun in every direction as we walked through the long hallway.
Rick opened the door and stepped inside first. I followed, and the moment I entered, my chest clenched
even more.
The room was stunning. Warm light came in through the tall windows with heavy velvet curtains, a soft cream rug covered the shiny marble floor.
There was fancy furniture along the walls, but my eyes went straight to the huge bed in the middle.
Just one fucking bed, sheets perfectly tucked, pillows piled high.
It hit me like a punch. I remembered nights like this, staying in hotels, talking late, whispering promises under the covers. His arms around me, his lips on my skin. My throat tightened as all the memories rushed back. Was any of it real? How could the man standing here now have ever told me he loved me?
I didn’t realize I was staring until his voice cut through.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked, his voice sounded so cold and I was starting to get used to it by now.
I blinked and snapped my head up. He was by the bed, loosening his tic, his brows slightly raised like none of this meant anything.
I closed the distance between us fast, my heels clicking against the marble. I stood directly in front of him. The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them “Who is she?”
I couldn’t stop thinking about her. None of this made sense, why would he have wanted an arranged marriage with Marissa if he had someone he loved already.
His brow lifted slightly, but his face stayed calm. He started unbuttoning his shirt, moving slowly. “That’s
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none of your business.”
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I stepped closer, my stomach tightened painfully but I had a frown on my face, I needed to know the next decision I was going to take and I was done with all of this by now. I thought I was saving him and proving my stupid family wrong, but it felt like I had walked into a trap on my own, “answer me.” I added in a
harsher tone.
Before I could react, his hands moved fast, grabbing my wrists. He spun me around and pressed me against the wall, pinning me there. His grip was firm, his body too close. My breath caught.
“That is Benita,” he said. His voice was steady, cold, “and she is the love of my life.”
The words hit harder than I was ready for. My heart dropped in my chest, my breathing quickened, but I stayed frozen, trapped in his hold.
She’s the only thing that feels right, the only memory I have before my accident.”
His eyes didn’t move from mine, my body tensed, my stomach twisting deeper.
I love her with everything I have, the only reason I married into your family was because my father made a business deal with yours, a deal I couldn’t refuse.”
His words sliced straight through me like a knife, every sentence burned worse than the one before.
And leave it at that,” he said finally. “Benita is the only woman I love.”
I stared at him. My throat closed up as my stomach flipped painfully, the timeline clicked in my head, he oved Benita even before his accident. His father had been telling the truth all along. He’d been in love with someone else while I thought I mattered to him.
The disgust inside me grew sharp. I hated myself for ever believing this marriage would save him, would ix us. My hands trembled, but my voice came out low and steady.
Why did he play me then? Why did he use me back then? I had so many questions he had no answers to hem I wished I could go back in time just for the sake of it
I wasn’t about to lose everything I’d spent my entire time building for nothing. I didn’t need him or his bullshit. With a frown on my face I stared at him in disgust and crossed my arms across my chest,
This bullshit wedding is over, you can go ahead with your original plan to be with Marissa you’re both losers who suit each other extremely well. I want a divorce
I waited for him to respond. but instead of arguing, he grabbed my wrist again and yanked me toward the
bed.
“Rick!” I gasped as I stumbled back, my feet barely catching the door. He pulled me down onto the mattress, his body hovering above mine in one quick motion
His face was close, his breath warm against my skin His hand braced the bed beside my head, caging me
underneath him.
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Chapter 14
My chest rose fast, my eyes wide, my voice cracking softly. “Wh..what are you doing?”
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Chapter 15
Chapter 15
