It was the ugly truth. I had agreed to his terms years ago because I needed money to support my mother’s medical life in the hospital. I hadn't actually thought I'd fall for him, but I did, only to be disregarded ever since. But after everything, I finally knew I would never love him again.
Brandon’s face darkened. His possessive anger flared.
“If you dare betray me and have another man,” he warned, his voice dropping into a lethal, cold whisper. “I swear, your mother will die.”
I looked at his handsome, furious face.
“Okay,” I said softly.
He didn't know. He had been so busy preparing for Paula's arrival that he hadn't even noticed my swollen eyes. He didn't know the hospital had called me three days ago.
My mother was already dead.
I snapped my suitcase shut, cutting off the conversation. “I’m leaving now. I’m just gonna stay with my friend.”
“Don't get any ideas about ambushing us at the company,” he warned, his lip curling in disgust. “I won't tolerate you throwing another hysterical fit in front of my staff just to get my attention.”
I knew exactly what he was referring to. Paula was only in town for a short while, and Brandon intended to parade her around the executive floor as his rightful partner.
The memory of our third divorce flashed in my mind. Back then, I had been foolish enough to think I could fight for my marriage. I had rushed to his office to deliver a crucial document he had left at home, only to find Paula sitting in his CEO chair, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. When I lost my temper and demanded she get away from my husband, Paula had squeezed out a few fake tears.
To protect his precious first love from the judgmental whispers of the senior executives gathering outside the glass walls, Brandon hadn't just told me to leave. He had called security.
As two guards grabbed my arms to drag me out, Brandon had coldly tossed our freshly stamped divorce decree onto the floor at my feet.
“She isn't my wife,” he had announced loudly to the entire floor, ensuring everyone heard him over my sobs. “She’s just an ex who doesn't know when to quit.”
Since that day, his PR team made it a point to leak our divorce status to the social pages every single time Paula returned. They painted Paula as his innocent, destined muse, and me as the delusional, clinging woman who was obsessed with his wealth.
But this time, his threats meant nothing.