He threw money on the bed after our one-night stand.
I threw it back in his face at his own inauguration.
By sundown, we were engaged. By the week's end — married.
Franklin Flemington needed a wife to secure his empire. I needed a miracle to save my family. For two years, we played our parts flawlessly — the golden couple the whole city envied.
Behind closed doors, I was invisible to him.
When the two years were up, I handed him divorce papers without blinking.
He stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "I've given you everything a husband should. What more do you want from me, Octavia?"
I smiled, signed my name, and walked out.
I thought that was the end. I thought I'd finally won.
I forgot one thing — Franklin Flemington has never lost anything in his life. And he has no intention of starting with me.
Game on.

I walked slowly back to my grandfather's private ward, Octavia's words echoing relentlessly in my mind. She hadn't even given me the chance to explain. I wanted to tell her the truth—that it was Anthony who had sent those nude photos. The entire thing had been staged, a cruel manipulation designed to tear us apart. I had never left her at the resort to meet another woman. But she shut me down before I could speak, and the pain of that rejection settled heavily in my chest. For the sake of her fragile health, I would hold back the full story until she was stronger. Pushing her now could do more damage than good.


As I entered the dimly lit room, the steady beep of the heart monitor greeted me like an unwelcome companion. My grandfather lay motionless, his once-powerful frame reduced to a pale shadow beneath the crisp white sheets. 


I sank into the chair beside his bed, the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.


Chapter 157 - ~ 157