She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Chapter 62

4

55 vouchers.

It was at Riverfront Court, a high-rise apartment complex on the east side of the city.

The elevator doors slid open silently, and Beckham strode out. He was still wearing that wrinkled shirt, with a dark suit jacket casually thrown over it, the one he’d grabbed from his car.

His hair was messy, blue-tinged stubble shadowing his chin, and his eyes were bloodshot, betraying exhaustion and lingering frustration. But his whole presence was icy and tense, like a bowstring pulled taut,

He walked straight up to the door of apartment 1608, raised his hand, and without hesitation, knocked hard on the heavy wooden door.

The sound echoed down the quiet hallway, urgent and annoyed.

After about ten seconds, the sound of shuffling footsteps came from inside, along with a woman’s muffled grumble. “Who is it? It’s broad daylight…” Her voice got closer.

The lock gave a sharp click as it turned.

The door cracked open, and Haley showed up behind it with a face that screamed she hadn’t slept enough, or probably got woken up.

She was rocking loose cartoon pajamas, her hair thrown up in a messy bun, and pillow marks still stamped on her cheek. One hand gripped the doorknob, and the other rubbed her eyes.

But when she saw who was outside, her hand stopped mid-rub, and all traces of sleep disappeared, replaced by surprise, caution, and blatant irritation.

“Beckham?” Haley’s voice shot up, loaded with sarcasm and not trying to hide the fact she wanted him gone. “Why are you here? Nobody wants you here.”

Beckham didn’t bother with her attitude, his eyes darting past her, trying to get a look inside the apartment. His voice was rough and tight. “Where’s Celia? I need to see her.”

Haley let out a mocking laugh, crossed her arms, and blocked the doorway completely. “Looking for Celia? Mr. Lucero, are you serious?

“Didn’t you two already get divorced? What kind of drama are you trying to pull now? Exes should stay dead in your contacts, or get deleted. Why are you popping up like a ghost at our door?”

Her words fired off fast and vicious, like a machine gun, making it crystal clear that she couldn’t stand her ex- brother-in-law.

Beckham’s brow furrowed, a vein pulsing at his temple. He didn’t have the patience or time to waste bickering with Haley. “Is she here or not? I need to see her.” As he spoke, he moved to push the door open.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” Haley’s expression shifted as she braced herself and shoved hard against the door. “I told you, she’s not here. Beckham, you’re trespassing. Want me to call the cops on you?”

“Call the cops?” Beckham froze, looking down at Haley, who barely reached his shoulder. His eyes were icy,

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Chapter 62

with the cold authority of someone used to being obeyed. “Go ahead, try it.

55 vouchers

“Let’s see who acts faster: you dialing 911, or me making sure this little apartment never gets a moment’s peace.” The threat in his voice was obvious. He knew he wouldn’t actually go that far, but right now, his frustration was doing the talking.

“You’re threatening me?” Haley’s eyes widened, but instead of backing off, she got more fired up. “Beckham, don’t think you’re untouchable because you’ve got money and power!

“We live in a country of laws. My law firm might not be as big as Lucero Group, but I’m not someone you can bully. Bring it on. Let’s see who really ends up embarrassed.”

The two of them faced off at the doorway, the tension so thick that one could cut it with a knife. Beckham met Haley’s defiant, almost provocative stare and knew barging in wasn’t the smartest move.

Besides, deep down, he wasn’t about to cause trouble for Celia’s friend.

He took a deep breath, trying to keep his frustration in check.

His voice was a little less harsh, but he didn’t back down. “Haley, I don’t have time for this. I need to see Celia, and it’s urgent, really important. Just let me take a look inside. If she’s not here, I’ll leave right away.”

Haley eyed him suspiciously, taking in his disheveled appearance and the rare anxiety in his eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder, ‘He doesn’t look like he’s faking it. Did something really happen? Is it about Celia?’

But then she remembered how Celia had been after the divorce, and how hard she’d worked to finally find some peace. Haley’s resolve hardened. ‘No matter what, I can’t let Beckham mess with Celia again.’

“I told you, she’s not here,” Haley said, her tone still sharp, but she stepped aside enough for him to see inside. “If you don’t believe me, take a look for yourself.

“But don’t linger. Once you’re done, get out. I don’t need you messing up the vibe in my home.”

Beckham didn’t say another word. He edged through the narrow space Haley left and stepped inside.

The apartment had a clean, modern look, with lots of sunlight and a real sense of everyday life.

A few suitcases sat in the living room, some still not fully packed. The air was tinged with the faint aroma of coffee and a soothing hint of essential oils.

Beckham’s eyes quickly scanned the living room, the open kitchen, and the hallway leading to the bedroom and study. The place was silent, no sign of movement or anyone else around.

“Where did she go?” Beckham turned to Haley, who was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, and his tone was flat and demanding.

“Why should I tell you?” Haley rolled her eyes. “Beckham, don’t you think you’re sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong? Celia has nothing to do with you anymore.

“She doesn’t owe you an explanation for where she goes or what she does. And you, showing up at your ex- wife’s place in the middle of the day? What, is your new girlfriend not keeping you satisfied?

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Chapter 62

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55 vouchers

“Or is Laylah not enough for you, so you’re suddenly missing your ex?” Her words were as sharp as ever, always going straight for the jugular.

Beckham’s face turned so dark that it looked like a storm was about to break. Haley’s words hit him right where it hurt, stabbing at his most sensitive nerves.

He fixed her with a glare as sharp as a blade. “Haley, my patience is wearing thin. Tell me where Celia is, or how I can get in touch with her.”

“What, you’re gonna skin me alive if I don’t talk?” Haley shot back, meeting his gaze without flinching. “Beckham, let me spell it out for you: Celia doesn’t want to see you, not a little.

“You’d better get the message and disappear from her life for good. That’s the best way to honor trainwreck of a marriage.”

your

“A trainwreck of a marriage?” Beckham repeated, the words rolling off his tongue with a cold, almost mocking smile. Whether it was self-mockery or something else, it was hard to tell.

He took a step closer, his tall frame casting a heavy shadow over her. “Haley, since you keep saying we’re done, you’d better hope she really didn’t do anything shady. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise what?” Haley shot back, chin held high, but inside, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease. ‘What is Beckham getting at? What could Celia possibly have done?”

“Otherwise,” Beckham’s voice dropped to a low, icy warning, “I wouldn’t mind making your law firm infamous in the industry.

“You know as well as I do: with Lucero Group’s reach, it wouldn’t take much for your clients to lose all confidence in you and your firm.”

That was a threat, plain and simple. Haley’s face changed, as she knew Beckham wasn’t bluffing. He could actually pull it off. Lucero Group really did have that kind of power. But there was no way she’d give in that easily.

“Beckham, is that all you can do, to bully people with your power?” Haley sneered, trying to sound calm. “Go ahead, take your shot!

“If I much as flinch, you win! Let the whole industry see how the great CEO of Lucero Group resorts to underhanded tactics to threaten a woman!”

Beckham stared at her, seeing how unshakable she was, ready to stand her ground no matter what, and it only made his frustration worse. He knew Haley wasn’t someone you could scare off.

She might look feisty and reckless, but she was actually sharp and tough and fiercely protective of Celia. Threatening her law firm would only escalate things, and wouldn’t get him what he wanted.

Besides, he already had enough problems on his plate. The board was already on his case about this morning’s scandal and the possible drop in stock price.

If word got out that he was targeting a big law firm, especially his ex-wife’s best friend, it’d make him and Lucero Group look worse.

19:37 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 62

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