29. Gemma
“Hello, wife.” Oliver stands on the threshold, his cold gaze pinning me in place.
I stare at him, nausea roiling in my gut. What the fuck is he doing here?
“Aren’t you going to invite me in, darling?”
“Don’t call me that. What do you want?”
He holds up a manila envelope. “Bringing the signed divorce papers. This is what you want, right?”
I snatch the envelope from him, my fingers trembling. After months of stalling, he finally signed. I’m free.
I’m about to slam the door when Oliver forces his way inside. “Don’t be rude. I just want to chat.”
“We have nothing to talk about.”
But he saunters into the living room like he owns the place. “So this is your new little love nest.” His gaze sweeps over the open floor plan. “Quaint.”
“Get out.”
He ignores me. “Didn’t take you long to find a replacement. Tell me, does he fuck you like I used to?”
“Don’t speak about him.”
Oliver raises his hands in mock surrender. “Touchy subject? Trouble in paradise already?”
“We’re done here.”
“I’m not finished. I would check the envelope.”
“What?”
He steps closer, backing me against the wall. “Still so naive. You thought I let you go so easy?”
I shove Oliver away from me. “What the hell are you talking about?”
He laughs. “Take a look at those papers. You’ll see.”
With trembling hands, I open the envelope and scan the documents. It’s the divorce settlement.
“Where’s your signature?” My hands tremble. “What is this?”
His eyes gleam as his lips curl slowly, like a predator cornering its prey. “A little insurance policy. To make sure you play nice for a bit longer.”
“I’m done playing your games!” I shove the papers against his chest. “Sign the damn papers, Oliver.”
His hand locks around my wrist, squeezing until I whimper. “Not yet, darling. We’re not quite finished with our little arrangement.”
I try to wrench my hand away, but his grip only tightens. “Let me go, you bastard!”
“Now, now. No need for name-calling. Unless you want your dear brother’s company to take a nosedive?”
My heartbeat thunders in my ears. “What are you talking about?”
“Come now. Did you really think I married you for your charming personality?” He chuckles. “No, I needed access to Sebastian’s network.”
“You manipulative piece of shit.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere. Here are the new terms,” he continues casually as if discussing the weather. “You will accompany me to some events. After which, if you’ve been sufficiently... agreeable, I’ll sign the papers.”
“And if I refuse?”
His eyes harden to flint. “Then I’ll destroy your brother’s company. And trust me, I’m capable of it.”
I don’t doubt that. In the end, I was the one asking Bash and my father to give Oliver a job. So, maybe he really has the means and the ruthlessness to do so without a second thought. But I’ll be damned if I let him control me again.
“Go to hell, Oliver.”
His hand wraps around my throat, slamming me back against the wall. “You always did need to learn your place. Perhaps I was too lenient before. But not anymore.”
I gasp for air as Oliver’s grip tightens around my throat.
“You’re still the same weak, pathetic girl I married.” His cold eyes bore into me, relishing my panic. “We both know you’ll give in. You always do.”
I shake my head, trying to deny his words, but the lack of oxygen makes my struggles feeble.
“Because deep down, you know you’re nothing without me.” Oliver loosens his hold just enough for me to wheeze in a breath. “A pretty little accessory and a toy in bed. That’s all you are good for.”
The edges of my vision start to blur.
“Who else could ever want you?” His lips brush my ear as he speaks. “You’re damaged goods.”
Tears prick my eyes.
“In the end, it’s your fault.”
My knees buckle, but Oliver’s grip keeps me upright. “There’s my good girl. Just accept your place.”
The moment Oliver lets go of me, I collapse forward, coughing violently.
He kneels down to me, his fingers grazing along my cheek. “So, what’s it gonna be?”
I’m trapped. How did I not see this coming? Amanda warned me about Oliver messing with the paperwork, causing unnecessary delays. And now Elijah and Bash are caught in the crossfire of my foolish mistakes.
I take a shaky breath. “Fine. I’ll go to your stupid events if it means you’ll sign the papers after.”
He’s all charm again. “See, that wasn’t so hard. I knew you’d come around. But if you try any funny business, the deal’s off. I want you on your best behavior, hanging on my arm like a proper wife.”
My skin crawls at the thought. “Don’t worry, I’ll play the part.”
“Good girl.”
It sounds wrong coming from him, and the condescending pat on my head makes me fantasize about driving a needle through his designer loafer.
“Oh, and one more thing. No contact with your boy toy until after this is done. I don’t want him getting any ideas about sweeping in to rescue you.”
My heart drops. No Elijah? I open my mouth to protest, but Oliver silences me with a look.
“This is non-negotiable. Besides, a little time apart will remind you what you’ve been missing.” His eyes rake over me.
I cross my arms, feeling exposed. “I hate you.”
“Feisty as ever. I’ve missed that fire in you. Maybe after our arrangement, we can rekindle that... passion.”
His fingertips graze my collarbone, and I slap his hand away in disgust.
How did I ever fall in love with you?
“The only thing happening after this is you signing the divorce papers. Then you’ll be out of my life for good.”
“We’ll see about that.” Oliver glances at his watch. “Let’s go.”
His fingers dig into my elbow, hauling me up and jerking me toward the door. I struggle in vain as his grip tightens.
“Get the fuck away from her!” Elijah’s voice rings out from behind us.
With a snarl on his face, Oliver whirls around.
“Let her go.”
I’ve never seen Elijah this furious before.
Oliver scoffs. “Big words. This is between me and my wife.”
“Ex-wife.” Elijah takes another menacing towards Oliver.
“Oh, no. Wife is correct.”
“What the hell is he talking about?” Elijah’s gaze bores into me, eyes swirling with hurt and confusion. “You’re still married?”
My heart sinks. I should have told him about this sooner.
“It’s not what you think. Oliver was supposed to sign the divorce papers weeks ago.”
Oliver snickers. “Don’t sugarcoat it, darling. You’ve been keeping your devoted boy toy in the dark about us, using him for your career. But you don’t need to anymore.”
That conniving bastard.
“That’s not true!” I glare at Oliver before turning back to Elijah. “I was going to tell you, I swear.”
Elijah is silent, jaw clenched. “When? Before or after I asked you to marry me?”
“I...”
“Is this some sick joke? A game?”
I don’t have a choice. “Please, I’m sorry.”
“You made me feel bad for being engaged, led me on... all the while, you were still married to that bastard?”
“No, Elijah, please.” I reach for his arm, but he wrenches away. The disgust etched into his features cuts me deeper than any knife.
“Save your lies and excuses. You’re clearly not the woman I thought you were.”
“It’s not like that!” I take a step toward him, and Oliver’s grip on my arm tightens, holding me back.
“Get your hands off her before I remove them myself.” Elijah’s fiery gaze snaps to Oliver, who seems unfazed by the threat.
“Temper, temper. Wouldn’t want things to get... messy, would we?” Oliver asks.
Elijah surges forward, but I put up a hand to stop him. The last thing we need is him hitting Oliver to a pulp.
“Please, both of you, stop!”
Oliver’s hand runs up my side as he leans down to my ear, lowering his voice so that Elijah won’t be able to hear. “Do I need to remind you of what’s on line here?”
Observing us, Elijah makes a strangled noise, hands balling into fists.
I meet his eyes, and for a quick second, I think there’s tenderness. But it’s gone, replaced by hate.
Does he honestly think I used him? I was the one he opened up to and hurt him. Please, not like this. Not when we were finally at a good place.
I lost Elijah, perhaps forever. And it’s no one’s fault but my own.
I have nothing to lose anymore.
“How does it feel being the second choice?”