Chapter 7
A flicker of panic crossed Caelum’s eyes, but he forced himself to stay calm. “That license Levin showed me yesterday was fake, right?”
I curled my lips into a mocking smile.
“It was real. Issued by the City Hall. One hundred percent legit.”
Caelum froze.
He looked like he couldn’t believe it.
Or maybe he’d just confirmed his worst suspicion.
His voice suddenly rose.
“How could you do that?! You’re my girlfriend! How could you marry someone else?!”
He was so furious his brows nearly twisted together.
His voice even trembled a little.
“You still think I’m your girlfriend? You spent all your time with Vivienne, acting like a couple!”
At the mention of Vivienne, his temper instantly deflated.
“Anyone watching would’ve thought I was the third wheel.
“You even gave her a room in your house.
“Every time you gave the two of us gifts, you picked hers out personally and handed me the leftovers. What, I only deserve freebies?
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Chapter 7
“Or are you just unwilling to spend on me?
“If I meant anything to you, you wouldn’t have treated me like that.
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“You know how many times we failed to get that license? You probably
don’t even remember.”
I held up my index finger and bent it.
“Nine times. Nine. People say once or twice is bad luck; three times is a sign. You ditched me nine times. If I weren’t so damn patient, I would’ve left you long ago.
“But no matter how gentle someone is, they’ll eventually get tired of being ignored.
“I’m the heiress of the Juventino family. I’m not desperate. I don’t have to hang myself from one tree.”
As I spoke, Caelum’s face went from red to pale.
When I was done, he muttered weakly, “Clarissa, how can you hold a grudge like this?”
It was his fault, yet he blamed me for holding a grudge.
I actually laughed.
“Of course I hold a grudge–because you gave me one to hold.
“I’m not the forgiving type. If that’s what you want, go marry someone
who is.
“Better yet, Vivienne’s already pregnant with your baby. Just marry her and stop dragging anyone else down.”
The moment I brought up the baby, Caelum’s face darkened.
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But he still forced himself to stay composed. “Clare, you’re just upset again. I came here because I want to marry you, and now you’re shutting me out.”
That one sentence hit a nerve.
He always did this–whenever I said something he didn’t like, he’d start gaslighting me.
Telling me I was too emotional. Telling me I was impatient.
Telling me I wasn’t gracious enough, not virtuous enough..
Under his constant criticism, I had started to lose confidence in myself.
I turned my face away. I didn’t want to look at him anymore.
“Clare, you love me. I know it. You only married Levin to get back at me. Be good, and go divorce him. Once it’s done, we’ll get our license that same day.”
Even now, he was still delusional.
“Stop disgusting me and get out. Even if I didn’t marry Levin, I’d marry someone else
“But even if you were the last man on earth, I wouldn’t marry you.”
He opened his mouth to argue again–but his phone rang.
As he picked up, his voice turned cold and vicious.
“What does your stomach hurting have to do with me? Go get an abortion. If you don’t, the Powell family won’t take you in.”
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