Chapter 0021
I
"When do we go to court?" He broke into my thought process, his voice mockingly urgent, "Tomorrow? Now? I'm ready whenever."
"Fine!" I closed my eyes in frustration and raised my palm. "Fine, okay?" I met his gaze, my resolve wavering under the pressure. "I agree." I caved in, knowing that delaying further would only prolong my unwanted ties to him.NôvelDrama.Org © content.
I'd just have to bag super-rich clients afterward to make up for this withdrawal, I reassured myself. Besides, I could even negotiate double the money back from him since he was willing to pay any amount for the two custom-made jewelry pieces he had ordered from us.
"But remember," I added, locking eyes with him, "Once I've raised the money, you can't back out." My tone was firm, a subtle warning hidden beneath my words.
He hesitated, his eyes probed, making my skin tingle. Then he lifted his chin. "Of course. But until you've raised the money, you must return to our residence. To the outside world, we must maintain the appearance of us being husband and wife, just like before."
"And if I don't?" I arched a brow and folded my arms on my chest, my chin tipping up.
He chuckled, seeming amused. "It's simple. I'll raise the breakup f*e. How about two million dollars?!"
Fuck you, Mark Torres. Fuck you!
Although I was sure I could pull the two million dollars together, there was no way I would let him milk me dry.
"Whatever," I muttered, rolling my eyes and sitting back, "I'd move back in and get you the f*e as soon as possible."
If I could inform Grace and our finance department and also finalize the necessary paperwork today, I was certain that I could get the money ready by tomorrow. That way I would just have to spend a night in his place. It's not so bad. I mentally shrug. It wasn't a big deal.
"What? You're going to cry to mummy and daddy to give you a million dollars to pay your approved husband so he signs the divorce papers?" He mocked.
"It's none of your business how I get the money as long as you get it."
He shrugged, "True." Then with a smug smile stretching across his lips, he reached out for me. His movement was so sudden that I couldn't move away from his grasp.
His fir
fingers closed around my wrist like a vice and he effortlessly pulled me up from the bed, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.
"Now, go out there and be a good wife," he commanded, his tone laced with an irritating arrogance.
Without another word, he strode out of the room, leaving me to scurry after him like the dummy bride I had once been. I picked up my bag with the leisure of one who had all the time in the world and stepped - out of the room at my own pace.
As I made my way out, I made a mental note to either meet up with Grace or call her to speak with her about the withdrawal after the party.
I almost collided into his back when he came to an abrupt stop, his sudden halt jolting me out of my wandering thoughts and I crashed back to reality.
I looked up, and there she was, her figure outlined against the dim light filtering through the floor to length windows below the stairs, behind her. Her eyes glinted with tears, her lips pulled down in a heartbreaking grimace. I guess the anger that had once blazed in her gaze as she watched Mark storm out of the courtyard with me on his shoulder had worn off because in that moment, she looked utterly pathetic.
She seemed to have been climbing up the stairs in search of us because right now, she stood frozen at the top of the stairs, her eyes fixated on Mark.
I cleared my throat, breaking whatever trance they were in. Her gaze slid from Mark to me.
I didn't know what prompted me but I found myself straightening my dress and smoothening my hair, hinting at what didn't happen between us. But she need not know nothing of the sort happened. The indications were there; Mark throwing me over his shoulders and bringing me to a room. His tie was slightly loosened from when he loosened it when we were talking and my hair was a bit scattered from when he threw me on the bed. My silk dress also had a slight crease from kneeling on the bed and it had also ridden up.
Her eyes eyed me up and widened at my actions with disbelief and betrayal. She looked like she was struggling to comprehend what I was hinting at. The silence between us stretched taut, the weight of her gaze bearing down on us.
Hmm, how does it feel to be in my shoes?
"Mark," I said his name so softly that he turned back in surprise, his expression told of his confusion at my sudden demeanor. He watched, with curiosity, as I walked to him and closed the distance between us. Holding his gaze, I reached out and forcefully linked our arms together. I leaned my head on his shoulders and let my eyes rest on Bella. "Darling," I purred, fluttering my lashes, "My head hurts, I need you to take me home."