C08
Blake seemed to ignore my words entirely, pushing forward relentlessly. “I said, name your price!”
I didn’t budge, not for a second.
“Can’t you understand? I said, I don’t want to!”
I didn’t want to be tied to a man for money. I didn’t want to wait for happiness that was never meant to be mine. And, above all, I didn’t want to…
Endure the torment of hearing the man I once loved reveling in other women’s arms every night.
I would lose my sanity.
But Blake didn’t understand. All he saw was his bruised ego, wounded by public rejection.
He laughed though there was nothing light about it. “Fine, Laura. Very well!”
“I won’t ask you again.” His voice grew colder, more vengeful.
“But mark my words; without me, don’t even think you’ll live in peace in Seattle. One day, you’ll be on your knees, begging me.”
His face was contorted, dark, and menacing.
I stared at him, meeting his fury with silence, before slowly shaking off his hand.
“Do as you wish.”
Seattle had already become suffocating, unbearable. If it weren’t for a few lingering tasks, I would’ve left at that
moment.
Blake stormed off, his followers trailing behind.
That night, Blake declared his love for Kendall and announced their upcoming wedding.
[Come back and apologize. Promise to take care of Kendall, and I’ll give you another chance.]
[The wedding is in two days. You still have time.]
As I read his messages, I felt nothing but cold indifference. No pain, no regret, just a deep, bitter disappointment and an overwhelming sense of disdain.
Our marriage had always been a transaction, a deal with no love at its core. And now that it was done, it was only natural for me to walk away.
How could I ever go back to a union that was void of affection?
I didn’t care what would happen to him or whom he would choose to marry next.
Seeing my indifference, Blake placed his love for Kendall in the spotlight, flaunting it for all to see.
A grand fireworks display that lit up the night sky, a wedding dress worth millions, and a meticulously planned celebration, his so–called “wedding of the century…”
Every so often, I’d receive messages from both Blake and Kendall. One desperately urging me to return, the other
smugly parading their newfound happiness.
Ruker saw these messages, too, his brow furrowing as he used his phone to take screenshots
“What’s Blake trying to do now? Have his cake and eat it, too? Have you gotten your divorce certificate yer? I shook my head. “Not yet.”
“The lawyer said he doesn’t agree to the divorce. I plan to leave it as it is. After two years of separation, the marriage will automatically dissolve”
Riker placed his phone in front of me again, his gaze lingering on me for a moment. Then, as if struck by a thought, he asked, “Do you think Blake might have fallen in love with you and doesn’t want you to go?”
1 felt my eyes flicker, instinctively brushing off the thought.
After five years, if Blake truly loved me, he wouldn’t have treated me this way
Blake was selfish
He was willing to offer a small fortune just to get me back, not out of love, but so I could play the role of a maid, taking care of Kendall and making her happy.
To him, I was still the same Laura, the one who could be bought.
But he was wrong.
Five years had passed, and we had both changed,
I would never again lock myself into another five years for money,
From that moment on, whether Blake married one woman or ten, it would be none of my concern.
Two days later, Blake’s wedding went ahead without me.
