Chapter 81 Different Paths
Finished
“I married you and found myself falling deeper in love But you married me and seem to love me less and less. We’re walking down two completely different paths. How can you say we’re even?” I hit my lip and pushed back at him.
This marriage was wrong from the start. He wanted a beautiful, obedient wife to carry on the family name. And 1–like a fool–believed he married me out of love,
Shawn’s lips pressed into a thin, unreadable line. He said nothing.
I gave a short, bitter laugh. “Love is like shifting sand. That old saying? Turns out it’s true.”
He sounded a little annoyed. “Enough. Whatever road we took to get here, we’re married now. We’re Yuna’s parents. That doesn’t change.”
I didn’t reply. Because once the truth is laid bare, what’s left of a marriage isn’t sweet or beautiful–it’s just a naked deal. I traded my looks for his commitment and his money.
But I learned the hard way–30 long years in my last life–that beauty fades, and with it, so does love.
Being pretty is a weapon. But it’s no foundation for happiness.
When we got to the office, Queena came right up. There are a few important documents that need your signature.”
Shawn nodded and followed her into his office.
I felt the curious eyes around me–gossip waiting to happen. I straighthened my back, walked into my own office, and shut the door behind me, leaving all those nosy stares on the other side..
It was a little after seven in the evening when Shawn knocked on my door. “I made plans with a few friends. Come have dinner with us.”
I glanced up from my computer screen. I’ve still got work to finish. You go ahead.”
He knitted his brows. “You can do it tomorrow. It’s not that urgent.”
I remembered my own plan, so I packed up my things and left with him.
We met his childhood buddies at a game room. They were already seated at a poker table, loudly complaining they needed a fourth player. Naturally, Shawn joined in.
They were playing poker. Shawn looked at me and said. “Bring a chair and sit by me.
Twas stunned. A few of the other guys glanced at me, then chuckled knowingly.
“Tiffany’s looking prettier by the day. No wonder Shawn brings her everywhere.”
“Better keep an eye on her, man. She’s a catch–you don’t want someone else swooping in,” another one joked, grinning.
Shawn ignored their teasing and lazily shuffled his cards.
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Chapter 81 Different Paths
He reached out and caught my arm. “Where are you going?”
79%
Finished
“I feel like a trophy wife you brought just to show oll. They’re judging me like I’m on display. I looked at him, a little hurt
I’d shown my emotions, expecting him to brush it off like he used to–telling me not to be so sensitive, that it was just harmless teasing.
But instead, Shawn gave the other guys a sharp look. “Cut it out. Stop joking about Tiffany, she’s sensitive.”
I was dumbfounded. The three men got the message and quickly apologized.
“Tiffany, sorry–we just used to run our mouth. Didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Yeah, you’re Shawn’s wife. We’re glad to have you here
“Shawn, maybe Tiffany’s bored. Want to switch and let her play a round?”
Shawn kept one hand on my wrist and used the other to keep dealing cards. “Sit down. You’re not a trophy.
With a gentle tug, he pulled me back into the chair. But in my mind, his words echoed: You’re not a trophy.
Was he lying again?
Right then, Shawn’s phone rang. He stood up and handed the cards to me. “Your turn.”
I shook my head. “I’m not good at this.”
“If you win, the prize is yours. If you lose, it’s on me. He knew how to coax a girl, I’ll give him that.
With him saying that, how could I say no? So I played. Maybe it was beginner’s luck, but I won two hands) in a row. The guys suddenly got serious, trying hard to win their money back.
Shawn returned at some point, but didn’t ask me to give up the seat. Instead, he leaned over me, resting one arm on the table. His scent–clean, cool, and a little dark–drifted around me, intimate and suggestive.
I had to admit when it came to winning women over, Shawn knew what he was doing.
That was how I got caught in his web in the first place.-
Back when we first started dating, he was generous–lavish gifts on holidays, romantic dinners, sweet gestures. Just three months in, he bought me a car and house. Now, I live in the new villa he bought for our wedding, but that wasn’t the only house he gave me I own three other properties, all from him. The first was a spacious four–bedroom right in the city center–he gave it to me after just a few months of dating. The second was a shop–his gift after I gave birth to Yuna. The last one? That was during a New Year visit. On our drive home from his mom’s, I pointed out a high–rise building and said the view must be amazing up there. A few days later, I got the keys.
