The Cold Surgeon's Contract Bride novel Chapter 695

"After hearing Sabrina say those things, I was furious. But more than anger, I felt devastated."

"I wasn't upset that Maxwell lied to me. Business is a battlefield, and I wasn't surprised he'd pull a stunt like that. Growing up, I've seen countless schemes just like it."

"I was heartbroken because I thought you were part of the con against me. It hurt so much that I didn't even have the courage to confront you. I was terrified you'd admit it was all a lie. I was afraid you'd say you were only using me from the start and never had any real feelings for me."

"Aside from my lack of courage, I just couldn't bear it. I couldn't bear to lose you."

"I agonized over that heartbreak and reluctance for a long time. I couldn't bring myself to make the decision, so I forced you to do it. I wanted you to be the one to ask for a divorce. I wanted you to dump me."

"But I realized that no matter how cold and awful I was to you, you remained just as gentle and caring as you were in the beginning. You never complained, you never lost your temper, and you never once brought up divorce. That only made me feel more conflicted and tortured."

"Until I saw Zoey. The time we went to the university anniversary gala together, when Zoey threw herself at me, I noticed the look in your eyes. You minded how close she was to me, and that gave me the perfect opening."

"You finally reacted. I finally found a way to piss you off. So when Zoey invited me to her birthday party, I didn't refuse, because I had seen the invitation in your bag."

Ferris's voice dropped lower and lower, until it was barely a whisper. A raging tempest crashed against my chest. I closed my eyes as a tidal wave of emotions slammed into me. For a moment, I was completely at a loss for words.

So that was why he had been so blatant at Zoey's birthday party. He hadn't just allowed her advances; he had actively played into them, intentionally letting everyone jump to conclusions.

No, he intentionally wanted *me* to jump to conclusions.

He wanted a reaction from me. He wanted to see me angry and humiliated so I would divorce him.

I had to admit, Ferris was brilliant. He had found the ultimate weapon to break me.