Chapter 89 DAMNED EX-HUSBAND
POV: ELISABETH
My legs seemed stuck in place, growing weak as if they had lost all strength. My heart was beating so hard it felt like it was about to explode in my chest, while a constant chill down my spine sent unpleasant shivers throughout my body, bringing with it all the negative emotions. I was sweating and trembling, turning to the CEO as tears threatened to spill from my eyes.
“It's him... it's... it's him!” I swallowed hard, wanting to retreat. But Morgan looked at me confidently, with a slight smile, supporting my hips with his arms and positioning himself slightly in front of me, like a protective wall. “What are you doing?”
I whispered, ignored by him. I looked around, seeing the security guards forming a circle around us and Greg, armed and ready to shoot if necessary.
“My, Mr. Morgan, are you always this hostile to your visitors?” He smiled sarcastically, unconcerned, his sadistic gaze fixed on me, and I kept my head down, feeling cornered. “You haven't answered my question. In Seattle, is it possible to get married while already being married? Forgive me, as you can tell from my accent, I'm not from this country, and I'm unfamiliar with the local laws.”
“Bigamy is illegal in our country, dear. And who might you be?” Heloise intervened, amused, giving the journalists more material for gossip.
“How rude of me. I'm Pavel Andreev, director of intelligence for Andreev Russian,” Pavel said proudly, puffing out his chest and raising his chin even higher.
“A Russian, huh?” Heloise licked her lips, eyeing my ex-husband, which made my stomach churn. “You are full of surprises, Mrs. Elisabeth. You have good taste, snagging two handsome businessmen.”
“Andreev Russian, the company that supplies military weaponry worldwide?” Patrick inquired, maintaining his tone low but cold and sharp. “Interesting.”
“So, you've heard of my company?” Pavel kept a cynical smile on his lips, not blinking. His posture was that of a businessman, but I knew the psychopathy behind that mask. “What an honor!”
“I've heard a lot about Mr. Andreev,” Morgan said, glancing at the surrounding journalists, uneasy with the silence as they recorded everything to further sensationalize an already sensational moment. “Why don't we go to my office to talk?”
“How chivalrous. I never thought my wife's other man would be so courteous,” Pavel laughed, prompting others to laugh along.
“Ex-wife!” I said, almost in a squeak, straightening up as his eyes challengingly met mine. I raised my chin, taking a step forward. “The divorce papers were sent and signed. My lawyer assured me of your signature.”
“My light, didn't you know?” Pavel called me by his nickname for me, provoking me. “There was an accident with your lawyer before she could file the paperwork, and as a result, the divorce was voided.”
“But... it's been five years...” I said, gaping in shock. He had definitely eliminated Dr. Wendy.
“Mr. Pavel Andreev, why didn't you inform your wife of this sooner?” a reporter asked.
“My little Light didn't make communication easy. She's a little runaway mouse, isn't she, my love?” Pavel took a step forward, causing Morgan to move protectively in front of me. He stopped, his jaw tensing. “Anyway, I'm crazy about this woman. I don't want the divorce, which is why I came to Seattle.”
“How do you feel knowing she's engaged to another man?” The questions continued, asked by the journalists who were ecstatic about the tension of the moment.
“Love endures all and forgives all, isn't that right, my light?” Pavel licked his lips, eyeing me up and down with his predatory gaze.
“Mrs. Elisabeth, will you give your ex-husband a chance at reconciliation or continue your life with your lover, CEO Patrick Morgan?” Another sharp question was thrown.
“I don’t…” I started to say, but the CEO interrupted me.
“The free interview is over. Please, leave the premises. The scheduled statement has been made. My security will escort the press to the exit,” Morgan said, keeping his eyes firmly on the man in front of us and caressing my hand with his finger as I gripped his tightly out of nervousness. “Mr. Pavel, it would be a pleasure to discuss this unusual situation. I believe we can reach a reasonable agreement.”
“Reasonable agreement?” Pavel tilted his head to the side, scratching his chin. “Hmm, Elisabeth is a very valuable woman, isn’t she?”
Laughing, his eyes darkened, just like when he used to get angry and torture me for hours without mercy.
“I can’t deny that she is,” Patrick said, glancing at me sweetly. “Shall we?”
“Of course, show me the way,” Pavel said excitedly as Morgan pushed me towards Greg and made way for my ex.
“Go straight. At the end of the corridor, there is a private meeting room. I’ll join you there in a moment,” the CEO maintained his merciless tone and protective posture despite the tension in the air.
Pavel Andreev walked calmly, following the path, eyeing Heloise with malice.
“Miss, what is your name?” he sighed, biting his lips.
“Heloise Forbs, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, extending her hands, and he grabbed them, placing a kiss on the back.
“You haven’t yet felt the pleasure of knowing me, Mrs. Forbs. I’ll be in touch,” Pavel winked, resuming his walk and casting me a threatening side glance. Cowardly, I shrank behind Morgan, terrified. No training could erase the fear of this cursed man, who had hurt me so much.
“Patrick…” I called out in alarm when everyone left the area. It was strange that Heloise didn’t protest, leaving with a broad smile on her face. “We need to run!”
“Elisabeth, I said I would protect you, and I will… Look at me,” Morgan lifted my chin, brushing our lips together. “Greg will take you back to our home. You’ll be safer there. I’ll see what he wants here. He won’t do anything knowing the world saw our little altercation.”
“Are you crazy? It’s risky to stay alone with him. I can’t…” I stopped when his tongue invaded my mouth in a deep kiss. “Please, I can’t lose you.”
I moaned with our mouths still pressed together.
“I told you before that it offends me when you doubt my capability. Who do you think trained Greg?” Patrick caressed my cheek, looking at his friend, who shook his head. “Take her away, keep Elisabeth safe.”
“Let’s go, Mrs. Elisabeth,” Greg said, pulling me by the arm.
“You can’t agree with this!” I yelled at Greg, pulling my arm. “You can’t leave him alone.”
I watched Patrick walk towards the meeting room with his hands in his pockets.
“He knows what he’s doing, he knows how to take care of himself, Mrs. Elisabeth. We’re nearing the moment we talked about before your training,” Greg said, dragging me towards the emergency exit, seeing the CEO’s men carefully scanning the area before we descended towards the garage. “You need to be strong even in the face of fear.”
“I’m just not ready to go back to Pavel’s sadistic tortures…” A tear rolled down my cheek as I looked back. “Please, Patrick, stay safe.”