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.

"You called for me, Mrs. Lawson?" I asked, stepping into her office and closing the door behind me.


"Yes." She leaned back in her leather swivel chair, eyeing me with a mix of professional curiosity and newfound respect. "First of all, congratulations on your engagement to Mr. Flemington."


"Thank you," I feigned a smile, the muscles in my cheeks aching from the effort.


She nodded, tapping a pen against her desk.


"Secondly, since it's Mr. Flemington's firm we've partnered with, I wanted to ensure there wouldn't be any... awkwardness during the team presentation."


I blinked, confused. "Awkwardness? Why would there be, Mrs. Lawson?"


"Well, the CEO of our partner firm is your fiancé. I'm simply pointing it out so it doesn't catch you—or the rest of the board—off guard on the day."


"Don't worry," I said, my voice tight. "It won't be an issue. Was that all?"


Chapter 9 - ~ 9