Page 39 of Marrying My Orc Boss

I watch as she walks out of the room, her hips swaying gently with each step. And I feel a strange ache in my chest, a longing that I can't quite put into words.

The truth is, I've grown to care for Sally more than I ever thought possible. She's become more than just a means to an end, more than just a pawn in my game against Director Shields. She's become someone I genuinely care about, someone I want to protect and cherish.

But I know that I can't have it both ways. I can't use her to take down Shields and then expect her to forgive me and move on. It's not fair to her, and it's not the kind of person I want to be.

“I’m fucking pathetic,” I grumble, slamming the car door and starting the engine.

With a heavy heart, I make my way to the office, trying to push thoughts of Sally out of my mind. But it's no use. She's everywhere I look, her laughter echoing in my ears, her scent lingering in the air.

CHAPTER 23

Sally

“Director Shields, of the renowned Zenith Enterprises, was arrested just this morning on charges of illegal dealings – dealings of what, we don’t yet know.”

The sound of the newscaster’s voice sends an eerie sensation down my spine. It’s more to do with what she’s saying than her voice, though. More than a week after we returned back home, Drakar finally admitted the purpose of our trip and his investigation. It broke my heart a little to get irrefutable proof that our romantic getaway wasn’t about romance at all.

Now, Director Shields, the director of Drakar’s company, has finally been apprehended for the crimes my husband has been trying his damn best to gather evidence on.

My husband. But for how much longer?

With Shields finally coming face to face with karma, my role as Mrs. Drakar Tvojan may soon become redundant.

The glaring light of the television mocks me with each flicker scaring the shadows away before inviting them back in.

You knew, it jabs viciously. You knew the parameters of this marriage when you signed on the dotted line.

Yes, I knew. So, why does my heart clench at the thought of taking this ring off my finger?

I shift my ring finger, watching the diamond sparkle in the glow of artificial lighting. The truth is that I’ve always been a means to an end where Drakar is concerned. My presence was a temporary fix, and time has run out.

As the newscast drones on in the background, I can't help but feel a sense of impending doom. I had hoped that once the scandal was resolved, Drakar and I could finally explore the possibility of a real relationship. We’ve grown close over the past few months, and I’d allowed myself to believe that there might be something more between us. But now, as I hear the newscast, I realize that I was just fooling myself.

The newscaster's voice is somber as she reports on the latest developments in the case. Director Shields has been arrested, and the evidence against him is mounting. I should be relieved, but instead, I feel a sense of dread. Without the scandal hanging over us, what reason does Drakar have to keep up the charade?

I hear the sound of keys jingling outside the door, and my heart races in anticipation. This is it. The moment of truth. I take a deep breath and steel myself for whatever comes next.

And then I hear it. The sound of his voice, low and urgent, as he speaks into his phone. "We don't need to continue the marriage charade anymore."

My heart sinks like a stone. So it's true. Now that the scandal has been resolved, Drakar no longer has any use for me. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I can't help but feel a sense of betrayal. Hadn't we grown closer over these past few months? Hadn't we shared something real?

Apparently not.

I listen to Drakar's words on the phone, feeling like someone has punched me in the gut. The pain is immediate and intense, and I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I try to hold them back, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

Shattered by the revelation, I gather my things silently, as I hear Drakar make his way straight to his home office. My movements are mechanical and robotic.

I can't believe I was so foolish to think that this marriage was anything more than a sham. I’ve allowed myself to be blinded by the possibility of a happy ending when all along, it was just a means to an end for Drakar.

But it seemed so real at times. The way he held me. The way he’d kiss me. The way we could sit with each other and it was like nothing in the world could disturb what we had. Or at least, what it felt like we had.

I take one last look around the space, my eyes lingering on the photo of us that sits on the mantle. It seems like a lifetime ago that it was taken. I can't help but feel a sense of regret, knowing that I will never be able to really experience the happiness that we faked in that moment.

“Goodbye,” I whisper, feeling my throat swell with emotion.

I square my shoulders and make my way to the back door, my heart heavy with the weight of my disappointment. I know that I need to leave, to put this all behind me. But as I step out into the cool evening air, I can't help but feel a sense of loss. This was the life I had imagined for myself, and now it's all slipping away.

As I slide into the driver's seat of Matilda, I can feel the weight of my emotions pressing down on me. The quiet hum of the engine is a stark contrast to the tumult inside me, and I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I glance in the rearview mirror and see the reflection of the building where I had hoped to build a life with Drakar. It's all gone now.

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