His Last Command Came Back to Kill Him novel Chapter 86

She wasn't going to accept this condescending charity, and she certainly wasn't going to trade her dignity for an easy out.

Clive watched her flatly reject the offer. There was no surprise in his eyes, nor did he look angry. He merely gave a small, imperceptible nod.

His tone remained perfectly level. "I won't force you."

He reached out, took the contract back, and tossed it onto the center console between them.

"I'll hold onto it. Whenever you come to your senses, you know where to find me."

Whitley turned her face away, refusing to respond.

Silence filled the car for a few heavy seconds before Clive spoke again, as if he had just remembered a minor detail. "In a few days, it's our third wedding anniversary. We're hosting a small family dinner at the house. Pick out an appropriate dress and make sure you're there on time."

He delivered it like a corporate memo—no room for discussion, no asking for her input.

Whitley kept her face turned toward the window, her expression icy. Without a word, she opened the door and stepped out of the car.

The anniversary dinner was being orchestrated by Bonnie and Vivienne. She knew exactly what would happen if she didn't show up. Until the divorce proceedings were finalized, she would play along.

But deep down, she knew it was entirely pointless. Marriage in these elite families was never just about the couple. It was all about maintaining appearances.

Cole watched Whitley walk away. "Mrs. Sherwood seems very upset."

Clive tracked her retreating figure. "She'll come around eventually. I'm doing this for her own good. Let's go."

Cole frowned. "I heard a rumor that Mrs. Sherwood is taking steps to file for divorce. Should I look into it?"

Clive massaged his temples. "No need. She won't divorce me."

***

The next day.

Instead of going to PurePath Biologics, Whitley decided to go pick out a dress for the anniversary dinner.

She had already rejected the idea of going with Clive. At this point, she couldn't stand being in the same room as him for more than five minutes, let alone playing the part of the doting couple on a shopping trip.

No matter how tense things were between them, no matter how much coldness Whitley showed her, Yelena always managed to bounce back, smiling and playing the part of the loving sister as if nothing had ever happened.

Whitley genuinely marveled at the sheer thickness of her skin.

She had stolen Whitley's husband, and now she was trying to steal a dress.

Whitley could let the man go, but she wasn't about to back down over a piece of clothing.

A faint, cold smile touched Whitley's lips. "Unfortunately for you, this dress doesn't suit you at all."

Yelena's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a flash of pure resentment darting through her eyes.

The dress required a very specific, sophisticated silhouette to pull off, and Yelena knew her own vibe fell short. But the fact that it didn't suit her only made her want to snatch it away from Whitley even more.

Just then, a cool, deep voice echoed from behind them.

"Whitley, let her have it. Why are you fighting with a pregnant woman?"