Page 121 of Modern Romance Collection December 2024 Books 5-8

He freed it.

It was an envelope with his name on it.

Dante tore it open.

The contents fell onto the bed.

Her engagement ring.

Her wedding ring.

He stared at them.

She’d taken them off.

She’d never taken off her rings before. Not even in the shower. Neither had he. Not since she’d slipped it onto his finger in the courthouse.

And yet, here they were.

Her rings.

He turned the envelope upside down and shook it. A little rectangular slip of paper slipped free.

Her elegant handwriting swirled before his eyes: “I want out.”

His body tightened with a pulse of emotion he didn’t recognise.Didn’t like.

But he felt stripped down. Exposed beyond his nakedness.

She’d left him?

No, she wouldn’t leave him. Didn’t have any reason to leave—

Realisation dawned.

He’d made a mistake. Miscalculated. By letting his wife know how much he wanted her, he’d given her everything she needed to play him like a fiddle.

She’s never played games before.

No, she hadn’t. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t playing games now. So, what did she want? More money? A larger settlement if she remained married to him?

His temples throbbed. It made no sense. It was completely out of character. And yet, she was gone. But that was what women did, wasn’t it? They left when it suited them.

Dante picked up the simple gold band and slipped it onto his little finger. And there it sat beside his own.

He let out a deep, calming breath.

Emma would come back.

And when she did, he’d close the door in her face.

CHAPTER TWO

Three months later...

DANTELOOKEDDOWNat the rings on his fingers. He’d kept hers on, not for sentimental reasons, but as a reminder of how close he’d come to losing control. Letting his hunger for his wife become an obsession.

Determination straightened his spine.

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