Love Began When The Facade Shattered

na's figure, the implication cle

ve he would push things this far in such

hem of her sweater, li

row waist, the edge of her white unde

shoved her away, his expre

y steadied herself. Inside, her heart leapt with relie

ting. The act of playing pure whi

d, she would be nothing but a wid

ny things, but marriage was not

id coldly, his voice

g away. Joy surged through her chest, thoug

.." she

snapped. "Don't mak

sweater back down, snatched her coat,

out of the club, she

't touch her. Her pulse was still racing too fast,

, a dance at the edge of a blad

Elena treated Min

eel," Mina said, shaking her

ough Mina's with a grin.

"But weren't you afraid he m

at body, and that kind of pe

together. "What ar

her eyes. "Honestly, if I had a child

, caught o

ought up divorce once more, she should simply say yes.

a's warning came from a place

l was over, Mina fi

l together, chatting easily, whe

and her expression ha

ld. It wasn't about lingering feelings-just

Elena urged, tugg

on't worry. I'll teach him a lesson." She yanked her

m not scared. I simply don't want t

"You're right. He's noth

leave, wanting

out as he rushed forward, pla

ront of her friend, her bod

aside and faced him head-on

oice dripped with wounded pride. Losing face had eaten a

outh, his hand shot for

swiftly, his gras

he lunged again, this t

ould touch her, the sound sharp and ringing. Pain

hock froze him for a second before r

torted, her eyes blazing with contempt. "Try to lay a

r-push her hard enough, and she alw

r relationship had been more about calls and

, and carried herself with grace. To Jerald, tha

on. He hadn't imagined she coul

e her needed to be broke

a tugged Elena toward the exit. She knew too well that in

, fury boiling over as he yelled after her retre

n had seen everythi

he's got guts. That man's Jerald Martin, a playboy. A while back, a video of hi

Frank had already dug it up. He handed his phone

deo in silence, his fa

sigh. "Jerald's the type to hold a grudge. After bein

" Greyson said coldly as he turned away. "If she ends

hould remind Greyson t

catch up. "Sir, do you st

e image of Elena's fake smi

answered

.

nger hadn't cooled, her voice sharp as she railed aga

howed no tr

asked. "You're still married. He shou

st at the mention of Greyson. Just the thought

nothing sho

ingly accept him as my h

don't you just move in wit

dare to lay a

es until Mina finally relen

om her father had bought for her before remarrying. I

scrolling through videos, when her phone

ment before picking

lock. Divorce." The voice on the other e

o the screen, confirmi

sbelief. How had Greyson

of his means, tracking down her nu

y was re

in a sweet voice, "When I married

re just waiting around to

of it herself once, but hearing him talk about his own

so advanced now. With treatment and the right mindset, any illn

nt ever

t, wanted to hear so

picturing the cool, detached look that

arder than it already is, then be

ad no intention of em

could see straight through he

almly. "Not unless you explain it to your p

ut whoever she married, the risks and

e path felt a little

yes narrowe

as sh

re was no chance they'd ev

anipulations only de

ying me comes

gerous edge, making Elena's

r tone. "Focus on your health. When you've decided-or i

ack, she ended the cal

phone, staring at the unfamilia

ed the number under hi

king face, and she could almost

t he wa

she thought. The less she saw

Sallie dispatched so