Divorce Him, Then Dazzle novel Chapter 21

Camilla didn’t touch her drink. She stood there, facing the ocean, her wine glass barely tilting in her hand. “Daniel, can you just give me a real answer?”

Daniel stood next to her, both of them staring out at the seemingly endless waves. “A real answer about what?”

“I’m serious about wanting a divorce. I wasn’t joking.”

Daniel’s face tightened. “You’re starting with that again? Of all places, you have to bring it up here? You just have to ruin the mood. I already told you, trying to get my attention like this isn’t going to work.”

“I’m not trying to get your attention.” Camilla’s patience was wearing thin. “How can I make you believe I mean it?”

Daniel glanced down at his watch, then back at her. “If you mean it,” Daniel said, eyes on her glass, “prove it—drink up, and say it again.”

Camilla stared at her glass. Even half a glass of red wine was pushing her limits.

She looked back at Daniel, her eyes searching his face. “You mean it?”

Their eyes met. For a split second, something conflicted flickered across Daniel’s expression. But he pushed it away as quickly as it came.

His heart was with Barbara. That was never going to change. To him, Camilla was just someone he needed for his plans. They’d been married for three years, but he’d never even touched her. If another man had her now, it really didn’t make much difference. It was just a detail, not a loss.

And besides, he actually wasn’t sure if she was even still a virgin.

If she was, Owen would be more than pleased.

Thinking of the things the Gates family had promised him, Daniel felt all his hesitation vanish. “Yes. Drink it and I’ll take you seriously.”

Camilla’s fingers tensed around the stem of her glass. She took a steadying breath, tipped her head back, and finished the wine in one go.

She hated the taste. Even red wine felt like too much for her.

When she finished, Daniel took the glass from her hand. “Come on, don’t just stand here. Let’s get you somewhere to rest.”

Camilla followed, her steps careful but a little wobbly. “Then let’s actually talk about this. For real.”

Owen’s eyes lit up with satisfaction. He looked like he wanted to say something, but Daniel stopped him with a signal.

They both stepped into the sitting area outside the bedroom before Daniel spoke. “Owen, there’s something I need to be honest about.”

Owen was barely listening, his gaze still drifting back to the bedroom. “Yeah, okay, just say it.”

“Camilla might be my wife, but my heart’s with someone else. That’s why, in three years of marriage, I’ve never touched her.”

Owen turned, his expression sharpening in surprise. “Say that again?”

Daniel hadn’t wanted to make this confession. But if Camilla really was a virgin and he didn’t explain things now, all the credit for that would go to someone else. He couldn’t risk being forgotten.

Guys like Owen, especially men who always get what they want, really have a thing about first times.

If this worked out, Owen might owe him more than he realized.