Page 85 of Misconducts & Temptation

Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of mock pity. “You really don’t get it, do you? Keaton is... damaged goods. He’ll chew you up and spit you out without a second thought. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen. He did it to me multiple times."

“He’s my husband,” I shot back. “I won’t just give up on him because it’s difficult.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but the amusement returned quickly enough. “Oh, sweet Elodie,” she purred. “You’re setting yourself up for heartbreak. He’ll never change—not for you or anyone else.”

I squared my shoulders, meeting her gaze head-on. “Maybe he doesn’t have to change for me to care about him.”

She pushed off the bedpost and took a step closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Do you really think you can handle his darkness? His anger? Because he’s not going to soften just because you wish he would.”

“Maybe not,” I admitted quietly but resolutely. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.”

Lola gave me a long, calculating look. "You think staying with him is going to help that pathetic family of yours?" she asked, her voice dripping with condescension. "I looked into you, you know. When I found out Keaton married someone—coward. I know your stepfamily is in debt. I know that's the only reason why you'd marry Keaton. But, see, I can pay off the debt. And all you'd have to do is annul the marriage."

I straightened up, a smirk playing on my lips. "It was consummated," I said, meeting her gaze steadily.

Her eyes flickered with anger, a flash of fury breaking through her composed facade. "Then divorce," she snapped. "Keaton is mine. He may not know it yet?—"

"He wants nothing to do with you," I interrupted, my voice cold and firm. "You cheated on him. With his cousin. With his best friend. You're nothing more than a whore."

The word hung in the air like a bitter curse.

Lola's face twisted in rage, and before I could react, her hand flew up and slapped me hard across the cheek. The sharp sting burned through my skin, and I staggered back a step, my hand instinctively reaching up to touch the spot where she'd struck me.

My heart pounded in my chest as I steadied myself, refusing to let her see the pain she had caused. Instead, I met her furious gaze with defiance.

Without thinking, I slapped her back. The sound of my hand connecting with her cheek echoed in the room, loud and shocking. My anger flared, hot and consuming. No one talked about Keaton that way. No one. Even though I was furious with him, he was still my husband.

Lola's eyes widened in surprise for a split second before narrowing with pure rage. She lunged at me, her fingers clawing for my face. I stepped back just in time, but she managed to grab a handful of my hair, yanking it painfully.

I gritted my teeth and swung my arm, catching her in the side with my elbow. She grunted and released her grip, but only momentarily. She came at me again, this time aiming for my throat.

Instinct kicked in. I blocked her hand with my forearm and shoved her back with all the strength I could muster. Lola stumbled but quickly regained her balance, her face twisted in fury.

"You're going to regret that," she spat, charging at me once more.

I dodged to the side, grabbing a nearby vase and hurling it in her direction. It missed her by inches, shattering against the wall behind her. Lola didn't even flinch; she was too focused on me.

She tackled me to the ground, and we both went down hard. Pain shot through my shoulder as we landed, but I ignored it. I couldn't afford to show weakness now.

We grappled on the floor, a tangle of limbs and fury. Lola scratched at my arms and face, trying to gain the upper hand. I fought back just as fiercely, landing blows wherever I could. Despite her privileged upbringing and polished exterior, Lola fought dirty.

But so did I.

I managed to roll us over so that I was on top, pinning her wrists to the ground. Her eyes blazed with hatred as she struggled beneath me.

"Get off me!" she screamed.

"Not until you learn some respect," I growled back.

She bucked beneath me, trying to throw me off balance. But I held firm, using every ounce of strength I had left.

"Keaton doesn't want you," I said through gritted teeth. "And no amount of manipulation or cruelty is going to change that. He's mine. He's my husband. And he'll always be mine."

Lola's eyes flashed dangerously as she stopped struggling for a moment, glaring up at me with pure venom.

The door burst open with a loud crash, and Keaton's father stormed in. "What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, his voice echoing through the room.

"Lola was just leaving, Mr. Douglas," I said, getting up from the floor and brushing myself off. "And she won't be back here."

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