Page 153 of Hateful Games

Just like that, I forget all the complications of my life.

Chapter Forty

Rosalie

The next hour flies by as I take laps in the pool until my muscles burn. The stretch feeling utterly divine. Why go to the gym when you could float like this? Swimming to the edge, I flick my hair back which has come close.

Just then, my phone rings, followed by the house bell ringing.

Must be Bianca.

I pad barefoot inside the house, after rubbing myself with the towel. Swinging open the double doors, a grinning Bianca awaits. She’s dressed in a crop top with a knot and denim cutoffs. Unlike me, she has a sexy hourglass figure.

Looking me up and down, she teases, “This isn’t the picture of a person in an emergency.”

“Iris wasn’t kidding, huh?” I mumble, inviting her in.

“Wipe that look off your face,” scolds Bianca. “I’m not that bad of an option.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers.”

“Wow, being married hasn’t made you humble at all.”

“I thought being a mom did that.”

Ignoring my jab, she surveys the mansion with a slack jaw. “Is this Nova’s place?”

“It’s a gift from his parents.”

“Ahh, makes sense.” She chuckles. “Got worried for a second there. Can’t imagine Nova buying such a beautiful family home.”

“Oh, he is planning on a family,” I reveal. “On my first night, he told he wants me to have his babies. Not a baby. Babies!! Plural, Bee. Can you believe him?”

“Here I thought Dash was moving too fast.” Her hand flies to her chest. “Are all men the same?”

“No. We’re the unlucky ones who got saddled with them.”

“I have no complaints.” She grins.

I make a face and stroll to the kitchen. “So, when are you two tying the official and the hopefully the final knot?”

“In three months,” she answers, placing her purse on the island. Intertwining her hands, she props her chin on them and softly asks, “How are you settling in?”

“He wants to make our marriage work.”

Her eyebrows shoot to her hairline. She contemplates before saying, “Is he being genuine? I thought he abhorred your family.”

“He’s plotting something. If I can find what, maybe I’ll get rid of him.”

“Do you know why he hates your father?”

“Not yet.” The mystery is gnawing at me. More so than ever now. It could be the perfect leverage against him, if I play my cards right. The faster I learn his motives, the harder I sabotage him before he ruins me.

“Is divorce truly not an option?”

“I wish, but my dad had me sign another contract when I turned eighteen. While unconventional and downright disgusting, it is legal and binding.”

Squeezing my hand, Bianca murmurs, “I’m sorry, Ro.”

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