Chapter 557 Nicole, She Is Not My Lover! 1
Nicole's face drained of all color.
She stared at Theron and the woman clinging to him, her mind sharp enough to piece together that this must be whoever had been calling all evening.
Theron hadn't answered those calls, only to meet her afterward in secret.
Were they lovers?
The humiliation was crushing. No woman could remain composed in such a moment, and Nicole didn't wait for Theron's explanation. She jabbed the elevator close button, wanting nothing more than to escape both him and his mistress.
The elevator doors began sliding shut between them.
"Nicole." Theron shoved Ondine away forcefully and wedged his hand between the closing doors, squeezing inside.
He reached for Nicole's hand, trying to explain, but she jerked away from him and pressed herself into the corner of the elevator, her body trembling.
She felt utterly betrayed.
"Nicole, let me explain." Theron moved closer and pulled her into his arms despite her resistance. Her slender frame felt impossibly fragile against him, and when she couldn't break free, she bit down hard on his shoulder.
Hard enough to draw blood.
Theron didn't flinch. He looked down at her, his gaze softer than the night itself.
To Theron, Nicole was both a mature woman and somehow still childlike. Their life experiences were worlds apart—he'd witnessed every dirty trick in business, encountered countless women in social circles. Nicole's purity was something he treasured.
The elevator chimed their floor. Theron half-carried, half-guided her into their suite, and the moment he closed the door, Nicole pulled away and began silently gathering her belongings. There wasn't much, but the scattered items took time to collect.
Theron didn't stop her. He tossed his coat over the sofa back and leaned against the door, watching her with curious eyes.
He'd seen Nicole sad, seen her happy, but never jealous and angry. The sight pleased him—she was jealous because of him.
When Nicole tried to leave, Theron blocked the doorway.
"Tomorrow, I'll have my lawyer send you divorce papers. Move aside, Theron." Nicole's voice was barely above a whisper.
Theron towered over her, his gaze burning. His words came slowly, deliberately cruel. "Ready to divorce over this? Am I not worth fighting for, Nicole? Not worth hearing my explanation? Besides, we've already made love—you might be carrying my child. Planning to be a single mother? How noble and dramatic of you."
"You bastard." Nicole's eyes filled with tears. "You sneak off to meet your lover in the middle of the night, and I'm not supposed to be angry?"
Theron's heart clenched. He stopped tormenting her, taking her things and setting them aside before pressing her gently against the door. He wiped away her tears with infinite tenderness, but fresh ones kept falling.
Nicole looked ready to shatter.
Theron brushed the softest kiss across her lips, then stayed close, touching his nose to hers with a quiet sigh.
"She's not my lover." His voice was low as he told her about the past, glossing over the painful details of Ondine's betrayal.
He wasn't a man of poor character. He and Ondine were finished, and he disapproved of her current behavior, but he wouldn't humiliate her in front of Nicole. He only needed Nicole to hear his explanation.
Nicole's thoughts were in chaos. Deep down, she believed him.
Pride made her stubborn. "I need time to think. Either way, you let her hold you like that, right there in the elevator lobby. It was shameless."
Theron gently traced her nose with his finger. "Mrs. Voss, are you jealous?" he asked tenderly.
Nicole didn't want to admit it, but she couldn't lie to herself. Seeing another woman in Theron's arms had hurt, had made her jealous—especially when his expression told her this beautiful woman wasn't some random encounter, but someone who'd shared his past.
The thought made her sick. She turned her face away.
Fire flickered in Theron's eyes. In one swift motion, he lifted her onto the piano.
Before she could react, Theron leaned down and murmured against her ear, "With you in my life, where would I find the energy for other women?"
The piano resonated with a deep, muffled sound.
"Theron." Nicole's voice shook uncontrollably, her hands suspended in air before finally wrapping around his neck.
Desire stirred in Theron. He whispered against her ear, coaxing softly, "Nicole, call me honey."