Page 21 of My Ruthless Husband

With a hand in my curls and another banded around my back, he begins speaking but my ears fail to catch his words.

My traitorous body melts against him while a sensible part of me is screaming to pull away.

His fingers tighten in my hair as if to get my attention. He’s successful as I feel his mouth brushing the shell of my ear. “You shouldn’t have run.”

My breath hitches. I lift my head to stare at him. The man I had run from not once but twice now. The man with eyes like burning coal. The man who is staring down at me with a calm that betrays the storm in his blazing gaze.

I begin pushing against his chest. He doesn’t budge. “I only agreed to go with you because I want to end this with some semblance of dignity and respect.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw. “End what?”

I give up struggling and fist the lapels of his suit jacket. “Didn’t you hear what I said earlier?” I glare at him. “I want a divorce. I want to end this sham of a marriage.”

“Real marriage.” His grip on my hips tightens as he corrects me.

“It’s ironic hearing you say that after I saw multiple proofs in your office claiming otherwise.”

He tenses, his expression shifting to a more dangerous territory.

“What happened?” I tilt my head to the side. “Cat got your tongue, Mr. Montgomery? Or are you concocting more lies to feed me in that manipulative head of yours?” A tiny shiver shoots down my spine as he leans closer.

He stares at me for a few seconds before smoothing a curl from my face. “You’re scared,” he murmurs. “Saying that cost you a lot of courage.”

My lower lip trembles. Yes, it did. But it’s the mocking pity glinting in his eyes that shatters it completely. He backs away, leaving me chilled, as the elevator doors slide open.

Seizing my hand, he steps out and begins to drag me behind him. “I see you went snooping behind my back.”

“I didn’t—”

“But it seems you failed in your task miserably.”

What?

As if sensing my confusion, he stops in his tracks and faces me. “Because angel, your snooping should have taught you that you surrendered the rights to your life to me the moment you married me.”

Chapter Six

Two years ago

Asmile spreads across my face as I tape up the last box, ready to move out of the dorms.

My roommate, Jessica, and her friends lounge on the floor, chatting excitedly about a frat party tonight.

When I turn to face them, they fall silent as if they are noticing me for the first time in the room.

“Hey, River.” Jessica recovers quickly and smiles. “There’s a frat party tonight. Wanna come with us this time?”

Jessica and I get along just fine, but I wouldn’t say we’re exactly friends. That’s mainly because I’ve politely declined every party invitation she’s ever extended. To be honest, loud crowds and thumping music just aren’t my scene. I’m more of a quiet night-in kind of girl. But there’s another reason too, one that’s hard to ignore: my dad.

As the daughter of a wealthy business tycoon, I’ve grown up under the scrutiny of the tabloids. Every move I make, every step I take, is watched and waited for. One misstep, one careless mistake, could damage my dad’s reputation and hurthis business. So I’ve learned to be careful, to always think twice before acting. It’s not always easy, but it’s just part of who I am.

My dad wasn’t thrilled when I decided to move into the dorms in the first place. His fierce protectiveness can sometimes make him unreasonable. But I was determined to learn to be independent and self-sufficient. I wanted to prove to myself that I could survive living with strangers and making my own way. It took some time adjusting, but I’m happy with the independence it has given me.

The only drawback has been my roommate’s boyfriend, who seems to think our dorm is his own personal crash pad. He’s always spending the night, and let’s just say their... activities make it impossible for me to get a decent night’s sleep.

So, I’ve decided to take the plunge and move out for good. This summer, I’ll be finding an apartment off campus, and I couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter of my life.

“I can’t. I’m leaving in a few.”

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