From “Clingy” to Gone My Independence Was His Biggest Regret novel Chapter 10

Chapter 1

Honey, let’s go on a cruise for our wedding anniversary in three days. I have a surprise for you.j

frown at my husband’s text, sensing something off.

call him directly.

Don’t you hate the ocean? Why do you suddenly want to go on a cruise?”

amien pauses for a second before responding casually.

What? Isn’t this what you’ve been pestering me about?”

low that I’m willing to go with you, you’re questioning me?”

f you don’t want to go, I cancel it. Just stop nagging me about it.”

y suspicions fade as I quickly agree,

at the next second, my phone receives a video.

the video, someone in a private room is shouting about placing bets.

bet ten million that in three days on that cruise, Damien will kneel and propose to Luna, and Ivy will definitely faint from crying!”

this is his idea of a surprise?

‘ell then, I guess I need to prepare a little surprise of my own.

amien, I hope you like it.

y fingers shake as I grip my phone, brain still trying to process what I’m seeing.

nother voice chimes in with a laugh.

o Damien, what do you think about this bet?”

Three days from now, you pop the question to Luna right in front of Ivy–what’s your money on for her reaction?”

ind for the stakes… how about we make our six months pregnant Ivy put on a little bikini show in the ocean for us?”

ro, I’m so here for this!”

Count for in–twenty million!”

he video fills with overlapping voices throwing down bets.

ty knuckles go white around my phone as I spot that familiar silhouette through the haze of cigarette smoke.

Alright, I’m betting…”

don’t stick around to hear the rest.

shut off my phone and collapse into a hospital waiting room chair, still unable to wrap my head around the idea that Damien would cheat on me.

Ата?

Chapter 1

That’s the other woman’s name?

My stomach lurches as my phone buzzes with another video–this one’s older.

Same room, someone’s asking Damien with a smirk:

“Dude, you’ve been flying out to see Luna every week for two years now. Ivy really has no clue?”

“And doesn’t Luna get crazy jealous? All those marks she leaves on you–you’re not worried Ivy will notice?”

Damien takes a drag of his cigarette, that signature smirk playing on his lips.

That’s exactly why I knocked Ivy up. A whole year without having to touch her–how’s she gonna find out?”

Once Ivy pops out my heir, I’m getting snipped. Way better without the rubber, you know?”

The video ends and I’m doubled over, throwing up.

t hits me like a ton of bricks–the man I married three years ago is probably rotten to the core.

stumble back to our mansion in a daze and sit in the living room for god knows how long until Damien rolls in reeking of booze.

le wraps his arms around me from behind, and I catch a whiff of some cheap perfume.

Ivy, baby, did our little one give you trouble today?”

I’ve got everything set up for our anniversary cruise. You’ve been dying to hit the beach, right? You pumped?”

lis voice is right in my ear, and my whole body goes rigid thinking about their sick bet.

Three years and you’re still this shy?”

amien chuckles and presses a pastry box into my hands before heading to the bathroom.

Vater starts running, and I open the box.

weet Treats‘ newest flavor–mango.

ut I’m severely allergic to mango.

hree years, and he still can’t remember.

toss the pastries in the trash, done with hesitation. I head to our bedroom and dig out a black box from the depths of the closet.

aside is an agreement Damien’s grandfather left me before he died.

sign my name and call our family lawyer.

Mr. Foster, I’ve changed my mind.”

I’ve signed the agreement and I’m texting you a photo now.”

But could we wait three days before making this public?”

Three days from now–our wedding anniversary.

f Damien wants to use me as a pawn in his sick game, I’ve got a little anniversary gift of my own.

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Chapter 2

Chapter 2