Eight Years of Maybe One Day of I Do—Bride Swapped Deal With It novel Chapter 58

Chapter 5

Serena spoke first. Like she couldn’t believe it.

1 pocketed my phone. Nodded.

“Who is he? Is he military? If you guys are struggling financially, Damon and I can totally help out.”

Before I could refuse, Damon cut her off. Sharp.

“Enough, Serena. You’ve been out of line all night.”

He turned to me.

“Claire, if you’re really married, why are you living alone in a condemned apartment? I checked earlier-there wasn’t even a pair of men’s slippers by the door.”

“I don’t know who this guy is, but if he’s really your husband? He’s not good enough for you.”

I blinked. What the hell?

“That place is where I honor my mother.”

“Every year around this time, I go back and cook a meal there.”

“It was set for demolition a few years ago. My husband traded another piece of land-worth way more-to keep it standing.”

“There’s no slippers at the door because the entire block belongs to him now.”

“Whether he’s ‘good enough’ isn’t your call, Morgan.”

“Whoa, why are you getting so defensive? Are you upset Claire got married? Maybe she even has kids by now.”

Serena forced a smile.

Damon’s face stayed calm. But his next words? Ice cold.

“Serena, if you don’t want to finish this meal, you can head back to base.”

Her face went stiff. She shut up.

The rest of dinner was tense as hell.

I ate just fine, though.

When we finished, Damon pulled out a bank card and slid it across the table.

“There’s some money in here. Take it. You don’t have to pay me back. I’ll add more if you need it.”

I stared at the card. Confused.

“Why are you suddenly giving me money?”

“For what I did back then. I should’ve made it up to you a long time ago.”

I froze. Shocked it took him years to grow a conscience.

It was almost funny.

When we divorced, he threw me scraps like I was a beggar. Knew I couldn’t do shit about it.

Now-years later, both of us remarried-he’s handing me cash?

Does he think I can’t say no?

I picked up the card. Turned it over in my fingers. Then changed the subject.

“If you really feel sorry, you and your mom can go to my mother’s grave and kowtow a hundred times.”

“Maybe then I’ll believe you mean it.”

His jaw tightened. Silence.

I didn’t expect him to agree anyway.

I tossed the card back on the table, grabbed my bag, and stood up.

He grabbed my wrist.

“Take the money.”

“It’s for your own good.”

I pulled my hand back. Slow. Firm.

“Morgan, you’re crossing a line.”

His eyes were red.

“Then let me drive you home.”

I shook my head. “My husband’s picking me up. Don’t bother.”

I paused. Smiled politely.

“Thanks for dinner. I had a great time.”

Great show, too.

Damon’s never been impulsive. Never let emotions cloud his judgment.

I didn’t think his sudden concern tonight was because he still had feelings for me.

It’s just who he is. Control freak to the core.

And Serena? She’s not as happy as she pretends to be.

I know exactly what kind of man she married.

I hit the restroom first. When I came back out and stood on the curb waiting, I heard voices from the alley behind me.

Chapter 5

Why are you telling me to shut up? Am I supposed to just sit there and watch my husband fawn over another woman? Do you even have a

heart?!”

Her voice was shrill. Cutting.

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