Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband novel Chapter 456

(Cass)

It’s fine. Really.

I mean, they’re paying me double the normal chef rate to do this, and honestly, after everything I’ve been through, I am lucky to be here.

But as I dump another stack into the industrial washer and catch my reflection in the steel, I can’t help but feel I’m clutching at straws.

A letter doesn’t mean instant success, I have a long road to get there.

By the time the shift ends, my arms ache, and my stomach growls so loudly it’s probably scaring the mice away.

The head chef mutters something about “grit” and “paying dues” when he finally waves me off for the night. They are all butt-hurt over me getting paid more than half of them.

Whatever. I’ve always been good at keeping my head down and proving people wrong.

The night air hits me like a slap as I step out of the estate’s main building. The path to the cottage is dark, and my legs feel like lead with every step. All I want is to collapse on the couch, shove some food in my face, and sleep for a year.

But then I hear them.

The deliberate footsteps.

“What, are you waiting to see if I trip on a rock or something?” I snap.

Viktor doesn’t reply, just keeps walking at a steady pace.

“Seriously,” I say, stopping in my tracks and turning to face him. “Do you have to follow me everywhere? It’s not like I’m running off to start a drug cartel in the woods.”

He pisses me off, always hovering, always watching, always judging.

Everything he stands for is what I hate. Looking after corporate fat cats, black and white outlook on life, discipline, rules, boring as fuck life, ugh.

“Must you follow me like some creepy-ass stalker? What’s the matter, bored of babysitting billionaires?”

His face is stoic, his eyes like ice. “It’s my job.”

I throw my hands in the air. “Oh, your job! Well, congratulations, Viktor, you’ve managed to elevate yourself to the esteemed position of following me—a broke, washed-up ex-junkie—through the woods. Bet your parents would be so proud.”

At this point I just want to piss him off as much as I am. It’s stupid, but I’m on a roll.

His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t bite. Of course, he doesn’t. He’s probably incapable of being human ever.

“Done?” he asks, his voice calm, infuriatingly so.

“Not even close,” I spit, stepping closer. “You think you’re better than me, don’t you? With your suits and your rules and your perfect little world. But let me guess—your big ‘job’ consists of kissing Jayden’s ass and glaring at people who step out of line. What’s next? Gonna frisk me for hidden contraband? Cavity search? Yes please!”