Chapter 1
All because I was helping his little side chick with her bath and accidentally hurt her.
My husband Damien Cross threw my dying mother out in the pouring rain like GARBAGE.
After Mom died from that, I shoved divorce papers at him.
“Let me go. Please.”
He glared and KICKED me to the ground.
“Stop the fucking act, Riley! Rain doesn’t kill people!”
“Besides-I’ve kept you two parasites alive for YEARS. You wanna leave? Pay up. Few million should do it.”
I nodded.
Days later-BOOM. Money in his account.
The bastard had no clue that cash? It was supposed to save my life.
The second those words left his mouth-WHAM! A ledger book smacked me right in the face.
Damien used the tip of his designer shoe to flip it open.
“Getting a good look?” His voice was ice-cold poison. “Every single penny you’ve blown since you married into the Cross family? It’s all right here.”
The pages were covered in his sharp handwriting-row after row of my expenses.
Everything from an extra slice of toast at breakfast to Mom’s ER bills.
Every. Damn. Thing. Down to the last cent.
My fingers curled into fists as I stared at that ledger, tears streaming down my face.
I never thought Damien would sink THIS low.
“Thirteen point two million total.” He leaned down, his breath hot against my ear.
“I’ll round down for you, Riley. That’s a lot of cash-you’d have to whore yourself out until you’re dead to pay it back.”
jerked my head up and met his ice-cold stare.
This man who used to love me was now saying the most vicious shit imaginable.
My throat burned as I glanced at Vivian Hayes wrapped around Damien’s arm. I let out a bitter laugh.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t that necklace around Miss Hayes’s throat worth about ten million?”
Five years as Mrs. Cross, and my entire existence cost less than his little bird’s jewelry.
SMACK! A vicious slap sent me crashing to the floor.
ands next time, sweetheart. I hate seeing you hurt.
room spun as I clutched my face. Blood dripped from my nose onto the floor.
Ew! Gross! Vivian shrieked, lifting her dress. “Watch where you’re bleeding, you nasty cow! That’s getting on my shoes!”
When Damien saw the blood, panic flashed in his eyes. But the second he spotted those divorce papers-pure disgust.
What’s your game now, Riley?”
That look of cold hatred brought back our wedding day. Damien’s hands around my throat, slamming me against the champagne tower:
Your mother KILLED mine, and you still think you can marry me? You evil bitch-I should strangle you right here!”
le didn’t kill me that day. But every day since? I wished he had.
stayed silent. Wiped the blood. Stumbled toward the door.
hat’s when Vivian grabbed my hair and yanked me back.
Listen up, old hag. You got my shoes dirty. Now lick them clean.”
crashed back to the floor, but my eyes burned with defiance.
ick this homewrecker’s shoes? NEVER.
grabbed the table to stand up. Damien kicked me right behind the knees.
You want that divorce? She tells you to lick-you lick.”
ly whole body froze. I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.
Divorce… Once I’m divorced, I’m FREE.
ly last shred of pride crumbled. I stuck out my tongue in pure humiliation.
ick after lick. Until Vivian’s heels were spotless.
ivian clung to Damien’s arm, pouting. “Baby, since this old cow is so good at licking shoes, why don’t we send her to Midnight Bar? She can lick shoes
or ALL the customers!”
I still haven’t made her pay for hurting me earlier~”
ly fists clenched tight. I stared at Damien’s face in disbelief.
We weren’t even divorced yet. I was still technically Mrs. Cross. Wouldn’t he leave me even a shred of dignity?
amien’s dark eyes settled on me. Then he stepped on those divorce papers and ground them under his heel.
You need to learn your lesson, Riley.”
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.