The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 38

For his money? But then she refused a settlement when they divorced. What was it she really wanted from him?

Suzie quickly pressed her arms against her chest, pushing against him as she struggled in his searing embrace.

“Let me go!” she snapped.

“Answer my question,” Jamie insisted.

Suzie looked into his deep eyes and saw an unidentifiable flame burning within them. A chill ran down her spine.

Why did she agree to marry him? If she told him she had admired him, had a secret crush on him for years, would he believe her?

Of course not. In his eyes, she was just a gold-digger from the slums, desperately clinging to his wealthy coattails.

“Because you have money and status. Can you let me go now?” Suzie’s voice turned calm and cold as she stared at him.

At her words, Jamie’s jaw tightened, and his brow furrowed even deeper. “That’s about what I figured,” he said mockingly. “What’s the matter? Regret not taking the envelope? Came back today to ask for more?”

Suzie continued to struggle against his hold, and this time, he let her go.

“Jamie, I’m not interested in fighting with you, and you don’t have to lace every sentence with poison. I came to get my necklace. Give it back to me, and I’ll leave immediately.”

A playful, cruel look appeared on Jamie's face. “Your love token? How would I know where that is?”

Suzie was floored by his slow, deliberate words. Love token? What on earth was he talking about?

Just then, Jamie dropped his arm and moved out of the way. Seeing her chance, Suzie didn't hesitate and walked down the hallway.

“You never loved me, did you?”

Jamie’s sudden question stopped her in her tracks. An indescribable feeling spread through her. She swallowed hard, her back still to him, and replied flatly, “That’s right. I never loved you.”

Without another word, she hurried downstairs, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall during the short journey.

Hadn’t her love been humiliating enough? Was there a single day she hadn’t stood by the window waiting for him to come home? When she found out he liked a certain kind of evergreen, she’d gone out of her way to have it planted in the yard, only for him to give it a passing glance and a simple “hm.” When he showered, she would prepare everything he needed like a servant. When he worked in his study, she’d bring him coffee and keep the house quiet. If he casually mentioned he disliked the color pink, or a certain fragrance, that item would vanish from the house and her wardrobe forever. If there was a food he didn’t like, no matter how much she loved it, it would never appear on their dining table again. If she had kept a journal of every little thing she did for him, the notebooks would be stacked a mile high.

She had been a fool in love, giving everything she had. And he never noticed? Never felt any of it? Now, after kicking her to the curb and getting close to that Chloe, what right did he have to ask if she had ever loved him?