Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim (Angela and Dexter) novel Chapter 7

Chapter 7 

“It’s none of your business.” Angela tried to pull away, but Dexter scooped her up by holding her around the waist. 

“Are you really risking your life out of sheer stubbornness? You’re nuts, Angela!” Dexter scolded, his expression glum as he carried her out the door and shoved her into the car. 

“I’m not going with you! Even if I die, it has nothing to do with you!” Angela protested. 

Erica turned around from the front seat and spoke in a somewhat chastising tone. “Mrs. Bamford, I was the one who caused your job and housing issues. It had nothing to do with Mr. Bamford.” 

She thought Angela was out of her mind to speak to Dexter like that. Who did she think she was to stream at him? Angela clearly didn’t know her place. 

Angela ignored Erica. Without Dexter’s approval, who would have dared to humiliate and push her around so mercilessly? 

The only reason he had done that was to make her submit and continue being his spineless trophy wife. 

But she was determined not to give him that satisfaction. She would earn enough to buy back the house and retrieve everything that had once been Marie’s down to the last item. 

There was no way she would let Dexter keep mocking her. 

“Are you done throwing a tantrum, Angela?” Dexter yanked her back, gripping her delicate) wrist so tightly it felt like he would crush her bones. 

Angela fought back her tears as a fierce headache came on again. 

Upon noticing how unwell she looked, Dexter softened his stance slightly and said, “She already explained things to you. Stop lashing out. 

He then instructed Erica to start the car. 

Angela didn’t struggle further. She only had a little over 1,000 dollars left. It wasn’t enough for her to survive long, so she needed to go back and retrieve anything that was valuable. 

The doctor prescribed medicine and advised her to rest. 

Erica personally brought her warm water and the medicine but found Angela rummaging through the drawers. 

“What are you doing?” Erica asked coldly, not even bothering to address her as “Mrs. Barnford“. 

Angela didn’t look back or respond to her. She was searching for her jewelry. 

Chapter 7 

+25 BONUS 

In all the years of her marriage, everything she had worn had come from the Bamford family. While all those clothes were valuable, they had never really felt like hers. Only the few precious items Joseph had gifted her belonged solely to her. 

From the back of the safe, Angela carefully took out a small royal–blue velvet box. She told herself she would only pawn these off if absolutely necessary. And if she did, she would make sure to buy them back later. 

Suddenly, the box was snatched from her. “Mrs. Bamford, this is Bamford family property. You can’t take it.” 

Angela’s hands were suddenly empty as Erica’s icy words sounded from the side. Her mind went blank as she frowned at the stern–faced woman in professional attire standing before 

her. 

“Give it back to me,” Angela demanded flatly, but her gaze was so intense she looked like she could kill. 

Erica was taken aback and jumped slightly in surprise. Angela was usually soft–spoken and timid. When had she become so assertive? 

Erica gritted her teeth and continued, “Mrs. Bamford, I’m just carrying out my duty. Even if this was a gift from Mr. Bamford Sr., you can only use or keep it privately while you’re with the Bamford family. Once you leave, these items will automatically revert to Mr. Bamford.” 

“Fine!” Angela hissed in her mind. Her breath grew labored as a wave of humiliation overwhelmed her. 

Holding back her tears, she turned to the bottom drawer of her bedside table and took out her wedding ring. 

Erica opened her mouth to speak again. 

Angela clenched her teeth and said, “This was designed by me and crafted by someone I hired. It didn’t cost the Bamford family a single penny. It has nothing to do with Dexter, Mr. Bamford Sr., the Bamford family, or you.” 

With that, she turned and walked out. 

Erica felt a sudden panic and reached out to grab Angela’s arm, trying to stop her. 

Dexter had told her to come and apologize to Angela, not to add fuel to the fire. Thus, Erica hurriedly said, “I’m sorry for my attitude earlier, Mrs. Bamford.” 

Angela was usually easy to pacify. With just a few kind words, she would likely relent. She had always been that much of a pushover. 

“Get out of my way!” Angela shook off Erica’s hand sharply. Her voice was icy as she said, ” 

2/4 

+25 BONUS 

Don’t touch me with your filthy hands.” 

Erica was stunned. 

“What are you doing now? Haven’t you caused enough trouble?” Dexter asked in 

annoyance. 

Upon seeing Angela storming down the stairs with a long face, a surge of anger arose within him. He couldn’t understand why she had been acting out nonstop lately. He had no idea what had gotten into her. 

“Dexter, you’d better sign the divorce papers and give them to me soon. I don’t want a cent from the Bamford family!” Angela bellowed harshly. 

Her piercing gaze struck Dexter. He was taken aback and momentarily at a loss for words. 

How had she changed so much? She was fierce and unrelenting–it was as if she had become someone else entirely. 

Erica hurriedly followed her downstairs. “Mr. Bamford, she refused to take the medicine I brought.” 

“Let her be!” Dexter snapped, standing up irritably. He ignored the increasing sense of frustration that grew in his heart and said with a sneer, “If she dies, it’s her own fault.” 

Angela moved to another motel to stay for the time being. She submitted résumés online and searched for a new apartment. But for days, she got nowhere. 

Just then, she received a call from Zack. “Angie, please help me! They’re going to cut off one of my hands. I’m going to die! Please come and save me!” 

“Where are you? Where’s Dad and Judy?” Angela asked coldly.