Page 99 of Vow to Hate You

A heavy silence fell over the room. Jack remained sitting on the couch, his eyes darting between me and my father. Surprise flashed through Christian’s eyes at my answer before he scowled.

“I knew it five years ago,” he growled. “She is not suitable to be the wife for a Valentin. You choosing her over a business? What else would you do?”

Anything.I’d do fucking anything for her. It was why I didn’t chase her when she left. Why I dealt with both my father and hers over the years, no matter how insufferable they were.

“You have three weeks to get everything in order,” he said stiffly. “Sell it. Or I’ll find out what Natalia is doing behind your back and file the papers myself.”

He jerked a nod at Jack before storming past me, leaving the office. Jack stood, buttoning his suit as he walked toward the door. I stepped in front of him, slapping my hand to his chest.

“Stay the fuck away from my wife,” I warned in a deadly tone. “I don’t want you following her anymore.”

“I don’t take orders from you,” he spat out, knocking my hand away. “You want me to stop, then talk to your father.”

My chest heaved as I watched him leave my office, slamming the door behind him. Sliding my hand into my pocket, I pulled out my phone.

“Rhyett,” I said, once he answered. “Get Ash. We need to talk. Right now.”

CHAPTER 40

damian

“I think it’ll work,” Rhyett muttered, glancing at Ash, who was typing furiously on his laptop. The three of us were surrounding my desk, like we had been for the last three hours.

I sighed. “Yeah, it will.”

Ash glanced at me from his screen. “Nothing will change.”

“Everything will change,” I grumbled. “It is what it fucking is. I can’t keep the club when he’s holding my marriage over my head.”

My phone vibrated on my desk, and I picked it up when I saw Talie’s name.

“Hey,” I answered, rubbing my eyes with one hand. “I should be home soon.”

“It’s fine.” She paused. “I’m going out with Char. I’ll be back at the apartment later tonight?—”

My exhaustion faded as I stiffened. “Where are you?”

“We’re going dancing,” she replied. “I wanted to make sure you were okay before I went into the club. You still haven’t told me what’s going on.”

My father’s words filtered through my mind. What was my wife doing on her nights out with her sister?

“What club are you going to?” I asked, doing everything to keep my voice level and calm.

Silence lagged over the line for a few moments. “Why?”

Because I had a shit night and seeing her always made it better.

“I’m all done,” I told her. “I’ll come meet you.”

Rhyett frowned. “We’re not done?—”

I strode away from my desk. “Text me the address, Natalia. I’ll be there soon.”

“Damian…” she trailed off, the nerves in her voice making my stomach roll. “Why don’t I just see you at home?”

“Are you hiding something from me?”

“No—nothing bad,” she rushed out. “Do you not trust me to go out without you?”

---