Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja) novel Chapter 2135

His tone was indifferent, completely ignoring Athena's silent plea for help.

Athena felt paralyzed, as if she'd been hit with a stun gun. Before they walked in, he'd promised her he wouldn't offer her up as some kind of bargaining chip. Yet here they were, not even ten minutes in, and he'd conveniently forgotten his promise.

Before Athena could process what was happening, the director's greasy hand reached out, pulling her into an unwanted embrace.

"Last time I tried to get close, you slapped me. So, you’re not as high and mighty as you pretend, just too good for my bed, huh?" he sneered, gripping her chin and moving in for a kiss.

Terrified, Athena turned her head away, but not before a heavy slap landed on her cheek. The sound echoed in the room, causing everyone to freeze.

Someone, worried about the tension between him and Tyler, quickly stepped in to defuse the situation.

"Come on, it's just a woman. And she’s Tyler’s guest, after all. Even when you’re kicking a dog, you gotta consider its owner."

Realizing his mistake, the director turned to Tyler with an apologetic grin.

"Tyler, my bad. Got a little carried away. If you’re upset, go ahead and smack the one in your lap to even the score. I’ve got plenty more where she came from."

The woman with Tyler flinched slightly, but he chuckled softly. "I could never hit a woman, director. Women are to be cherished, not slapped around. Maybe if you were a bit gentler, she'd let you kiss her."

The tension eased as everyone started chatting again, momentarily forgetting the unpleasantness.

Athena felt like she was going to be sick as the director's hand crept further up her dress. She tried to stand, but he pushed her back down.

With a sinister tone, he whispered, "What’s the matter? Want another slap? Being with someone like Mr. Bennitt, you should know he likes things wild. You’re too uptight to keep someone like him interested."

Tears welled up in Athena's eyes as she looked toward Tyler. But he was too busy feeding wine to the woman in his arms to notice.

Desperation washed over her as she bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. The director, mistaking her silence for submission, let his hand wander further.

Damp hair clinging to her face, she bent over the sink, dousing herself with more cold water. The chill brought some clarity, and regret washed over her. She shouldn't have run out; she'd just made things difficult for Tyler. After all, those people were his business partners.

Drying her face with a paper towel, she resolved to return. It was just a couple of groping hands. She could endure it.

But as she turned, she saw Tyler leaning against the wall, a cigarette dangling between his fingers, his eyes glinting with mischief.

"How was it?" he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

His question struck a nerve, and Athena felt a wave of unspeakable grievance.

"You said you wouldn’t trade me away," she accused, her voice trembling.

Tyler laughed, tapping her cheek lightly. "Sweetheart, I thought you knew me better than that. I never mean what I say. If all my oaths counted, I'd have been struck by lightning ages ago."