Chapter 3
Emma and I have always been women of action.
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The next day, we went back to get our documents for the divorce. Since she was divorcing first, I accompanied her to the Gray family home. Their mansion was in Greenwich, Connecticut, and when we arrived, we didn’t bother announcing
ourselves to the security guard–Emma still had her key card.
We expected the huge house to be mostly empty except for the staff, but when we saw several wealthy–looking women playing cards in the living room, we froze in
our tracks.
I whispered to Emma, “Didn’t you say your mom was on vacation?”
She looked just as confused as I felt. “She was posting Instagram stories from the Bahamas yesterday. Shit, what if she catches us?”
I nudged her. “Be subtle. You know where the documents are, right?” “Definitely,” she said with unwarranted confidence that made me nervous.
Mrs. Gray noticed us from across the marble–floored foyer, her eyes lighting up with surprise as she asked what brought me here.
Emma mumbled something vague about forgetting some papers and quickly pulled me toward the elevator.
However, after searching for ages through filing cabinets without finding the papers, I grew restless and got up to help her look more thoroughly.
Just then, my phone buzzed. Nathan had texted me:
Mom says you’re at the house?
I thought for a moment and just sent back a nodding gif.
Nathan: Have fun. I’ll come pick you up after work. I’ve asked Maria to make those honey garlic ribs you love.
I stared at the message for a good minute. What the hell was going on?
Why was Nathan suddenly being so… nice?
Last night, he’d clearly rejected me…
Thinking about it made me angry all over again.
Last night, Emma and I had gotten wasted at The Velvet Lounge, and both our
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husbands showed up to collect us like we were lost puppies. One for each. Emma made a scene, slurring insults at Ryan, while I just sat quietly, too drunk to fight. I’d planned to bring up divorce, but I fell asleep during the Uber ride home. When I
woke up, Nathan was gently removing my makeup with those cotton pads I keep
on my vanity.
His face has always been my weakness. The alcohol hitting me full force, I found myself mesmerized by his long, elegant fingers working so carefully on my skin. I grabbed his hand and placed it against my chest, my heart pounding beneath his
palm.
“Dr. Gray,” I slurred, “my heart races whenever I see you. Could you help calm me
down?”
I snuggled closer into his arms, my inhibitions completely gone. My body was practically begging for his touch.
His breathing stopped for a moment. He told me to lie down first, and he’d finish
quickly.
When he spoke, his warm breath tickled my ear, making my entire body tingle with
anticipation.
So I started undressing. My outer clothes came off, leaving just a thin silk slip. The curve of my bare shoulder gleamed in the soft bedroom light. Water droplets from my freshly washed face trickled down my collarbone, dampening the silky fabric
that clung to my nipples.
Lost in the moment, I gazed at him with hazy eyes and lunged forward. “Dr. Gray,” I purred, “haven’t we still not consummated our marriage?”
We were so close, so intimate that it seemed like the perfect moment to finally make this marriage real.
Nathan sat on the carpet beside the bed, and I straddled his waist, grinding against him, feeling the hardness beneath his pants. I was sure we were about to finally fuck.
But then he pinched the bridge of his nose and his large hands stopped mine from
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unbuttoning his shirt.
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“Alex, you’re drunk. Be good and stay still. I’ll make you some sobering tea, okay?” I froze in disbelief. I didn’t even register the gentleness in his voice; all I knew was that those deep, clear eyes showed not a hint of desire for me.
Nathan Gray truly felt nothing for me.
I burst into tears right then and there.
Remembering that mortifying scene and now seeing his text messages, I irritably
closed my phone, ignoring him completely.
Just then, the door to the study opened, and Mrs. Gray peeked in, her perfectly
highlighted hair framing her suspicious expression.
“What are you looking for?” she asked, eyes narrowing at the open filing cabinet. Emma, clearly frustrated with the search, blurted out:
“The divorce papers.”
