The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 23

As he picked up his fork and knife, he looked up and met her gaze. His eyes scanned her from head to toe before he spoke, his voice low. “Did you dress so shabbily on purpose just to embarrass me?”

“It was a secret marriage,” Suzie said flatly. “I couldn’t possibly tarnish your reputation.”

“What? Do you feel wronged by our secret marriage?” Jamie countered.

Wronged? Of course, she felt wronged. What woman doesn't dream of a grand, public wedding? But all she got was a certificate and a single meal, and just like that, she was a married woman. She could only blame herself for being so naive.

Suzie didn’t answer. There was no point in saying anything more; it was all in the past.

“Where did all the money I gave you go?” Jamie’s voice cut through the silence.

Suzie was confused. He gave her money? When had she ever taken his money? Was he talking about the marriage settlement?

After she moved in, the settlement funds had gone straight into Margaret’s hands. Her own expenses at the Baylor manor were paid for with her old salary. As for the designer bags, clothes, and jewelry, she’d heard they were just promotional samples from his company's brands. And every time Margaret visited, she would pack them up and take them away while Suzie was out. Aside from the food she ate, what money of his had she ever spent?

At the thought, Suzie’s voice turned cold. “Are we settling old scores now? If you’re talking about the marriage settlement, I’ll earn the money and pay you back.”

Jamie frowned at her words, his expression a mixture of annoyance and confusion. “When did you become so prickly? You know exactly what I’m asking, so why twist my words?”

He wouldn’t hold it against her? The divorce was on hold?

She took several deep breaths, suppressing the fury rising in her chest. “How generous of you,” she said slowly, “but we are getting a divorce tomorrow. Jamie, this isn’t about you wanting to divorce me anymore. It’s about me divorcing you!”

With that, Suzie stood up, grabbed her bag, and strode away. As she passed Jamie, he suddenly grabbed her arm. His cold eyes stared into hers as he demanded, “So desperate to divorce me. Is it because you’ve found some other man?”

The accusation stunned Suzie into silence for a moment. She never knew the man she once admired and loved could be so unreasonable. He was the one cheating, and now he had the audacity to turn it around on her?

“Jamie, don’t you dare slander me. I want to divorce you because you are an arrogant, heartless man. Is that clear enough? Now, may I pass?”