Eight Years of Maybe One Day of I Do—Bride Swapped Deal With It novel Chapter 52

Chapter 7

The next day, I cut off the long hair Dominic loved and got a sharp pixie cut.

I swapped my hand-me-downs for camo gear and hiking boots, then followed the research team into the mountains.

Out there-no cell signal, no approval system, no Elena with her passive-aggressive comments.

Just dirt, rocks, and endless data.

I was exhausted.

Every day was climbing, wading through streams, covered in mud.

But I was happy.

I’d found her again-the Hadley who used to be fearless and full of fire. The Hadley who belonged to science.

Two weeks later, our expedition made a major breakthrough.

We discovered a rare mineral deposit with a new type of companion ore.

The find was worth a fortune.

Just as we were celebrating at base camp, a convoy of SUVS rolled in with “Thorne Corp” logos on the side.

Of course.

Thorne Corp was one of the sponsors.

Dominic showed up.

Alone this time.

He wore a designer parka and sunglasses, still playing the untouchable CEO.

The second he got out of the car, he spotted me taking readings with my equipment-my face covered in mud, my hair a mess, holding a field

instrument.

Dominic took off his sunglasses and frowned at me, his eyes full of disgust with a hint of something else… anger?

“Had enough of this yet?”

He walked up to me, towering over me.

“This is what you call independence?”

“Making yourself look like a beggar just to get back at me?”

“Come home with me and clean yourself up.”

He took a deep breath and lowered his voice:

“I fired Elena. I looked into everything about your dad, and how she embezzled the household funds…”

“Why are you telling me this? What does any of it have to do with me?”

I cut him off, shaking the mud off my hands as I turned to leave..

But that shake splattered mud all over his pristine white jacket.

Whatever. Not my problem to clean anymore.

Everyone around us knew the basics of my situation, and I could see them trying not to laugh-the almighty Mr. Thorne, actually looking pathetic for once.

Dominic’s face went dark. Nobody cared more about appearances than he did.

But then, weirdly, he smiled-though it looked painful-and reached out his hand toward me.

“It’s fine. It’s just a jacket.”

“Come back with me. Don’t embarrass me like this.”

I stepped back, dodging his touch.

“Mr. Thorne, have some self-respect.”

“If you’ve got that much free time, you’d be better off signing the divorce papers.”

“And watch where you step. Don’t break my equipment.”

“It’s worth more than your life.”

I said that and headed back to camp.

Just when I thought this mess was finally over, someone told me a tent had been set up outside the perimeter.

Dominic hadn’t left. He’d moved in.

That once-untouchable heir to a fortune now had stubble all over his face and dark circles under his eyes.

He’d sent a truckload of supplies-top-tier ingredients, expensive equipment.

Like he always did.

Like money could fix everything.

Anyone could see he was here to apologize.

But whether I accepted it or not?

That was another story.

One day, I’d just finished taking readings and headed back to camp when Dominic rushed over holding a thermos container, offering it eagerly.

“Hadley, this is that chicken soup you love.”

“I had it flown in special. It’s still hot.”

“Try it-you used to crave this all the time, remember?”

Chapter 7

I looked at the soup-rich broth with tender chicken and fresh herbs floating on top.

It smelled amazing.

But all I felt was nauseous.

I didn’t take it and looked at him calmly. “Dominic, your memory really is terrible.”

“I don’t like chicken soup.”

“The one who likes it is Elena.”

But he wasn’t ready to give up and pulled out a velvet box from his pocket, opening it to reveal a massive pink diamond ring that was practically blinding.

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