Chapter 8
The company slowly gets back on track, and Dad’s health improves at his treatment center abroad.
Friends from Westlake City tell me that the notorious wedding ended in disaster. Charlotte’s social climbing dreams shattered completely.
She’s in prison now-charged with conspiracy to kidnap and attempted murder.
Blake apparently held some unidentified female body for days, refusing to let go. Nearly got committed to a psychiatric facility.
Until the actual family came to claim the body and beat the crap out of him.
Rumors spread about his “unusual preferences,” and the scandal brought disgrace to the Hawthorne name.
Hawthorne Industries stock plummeted for days. Blake’s overseas cousin swooped in and took his executive position.
I can only shake my head at the karma, though I suspect Adrian had a hand in it.
That so-called “cousin” went abroad with him years ago-they must be tight.
But none of this matters to me anymore.
Adrian and I decide to hit the courthouse first.
We planned to buy gifts for our high school friends, but right before leaving, Adrian gets possessive. “You just pick out mine. My assistant can handle everyone else’s.”
I poke his shoulder. “Since when are you this clingy, Adrian Cross?”
He shrugs like it’s obvious. “You’re my wife. Of course I want to be your human backpack 24/7.”
I’m laughing at his neediness when I turn around and see Blake standing there.
I thought I’d never have to see his face again.
The gut-wrenching pain and betrayal I once felt? Completely gone.
Blake’s voice sounds like he’s been gargling gravel. “Viv, I finally found you.”
Like he’s some hero in a Nicholas Sparks movie who crossed continents for his soulmate.
Adrian’s faster than me, pulling me against him possessively. “Bad timing, Hawthorne. My wife and I are heading out.”
Blake ignores him completely, staring straight at me. “Viv, come home.”
Those words-“come home”-I texted them to him countless times. When I agreed to move into his Tribeca penthouse, his one promise was that he’d always be home for dinner.
Later I discovered that was just his excuse to see Charlotte more easily.
I basically became that girlfriend who sends “where are you?” texts every night. He’d always reply with excuses.
But never actually showed up.
The rare times he did rush home? It was because Charlotte was upset about some photoshoot and needed his shoulder to cry on.
In my book, Blake has absolutely zero right to use the word “home” anymore.
“Leave. Stop messing with my life.”
19.52
You Chose the Bastard? Then Prove It’s Yours
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Chapter S
He won’t back down, desperately explaining. “I never married Charlotte that day. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
I give him an ice cold stare. “How is that my problem?”
“You couldn’t even recognize your fiancée of how many years? And then hugged a corpse for days? That’s straight up psycho behavior.”
The real reason he didn’t confirm my death? He was probably afraid to see my face-smashed by rocks, nibbled by fish.
Blake’s face flashes with grief and regret.
“I know I screwed up. Charlotte’s in prison now-I made sure of it.”
“Viv, this time I’m all yours. Only yours.”
“Can’t you give me one chance to make it right?”
I shut him down immediately. “No.”
I step closer. “I begged you too, remember? Begged you not to crush my dad’s company. Begged you to even look at me.”
“But Blake, I refuse to rot in our past together.”
His guilt is way too late, and I lost my patience waiting ages ago.
My eyes drop to the hospital bracelet on his wrist. “What makes you think I’d want to live with someone from the psych ward?”
Each word hits its target.
Blake’s face drains of color. He’s truly lost everything.
He lost the corporate power struggle, then got committed to a mental facility.
If he hadn’t sneaked out, Blake probably wouldn’t have found me at all.
I turn and take Adrian’s hand. “Let’s go, babe.”
That one little pet name keeps him grinning for hours.
Our wedding is set for fall.
The whole city’s skyline will light up with fireworks to celebrate us.
As the city lights sparkle, Blake slips past the night nurse to the hospital roof.
Since security dragged him back last time, his mind has completely checked out.
His arms are covered in scratch marks where he’s tried to “get the betrayal out.”
In the distance stands the Hawthorne Tower-the penthouse he bought for them.
Because Vivian loved fireworks, he’d outbid everyone for the penthouse with the best view in Westlake.
He’d imagined watching fireworks with her forever, being her forever person.
As he steps off the ledge, he becomes just another flash in the night sky-gone before anyone notices.
19:52
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You Chose the Bastard? Then Prove It’s Yours
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