Page 58 of Vow to Hate You

She laughed lightly. “You might be my legal husband, but I told you before—my personal life ismine. I don’t need to tell you anything.”

Why was my wife so damn infuriating? And why the hell did some part of me enjoy when she riled me up? There was no doubt I was furious about her lying to me, yet seeing her standing up for herself made me proud of her after seeing how her father raised her.

“Clearly, there are no rumors since it was only Ash who saw me,” she continued when I didn’t answer. “I must be doing a good job at keeping my actions quiet since you have no idea what I was doing. Don’t worry, whatever I do, I’ll make sure it stays secret.”

“That’s not what I meant?—”

“If anything,” she interrupted me, “you’re the one who’s going to cause rumors. Showing up at four in the morning to argue with me on the sidewalk? A little stalkerish, don’t you think? Live your own life, Damian. I know I will. By doing whatever—or whoever I want.”

Her words made me snap. She’d been home long enough to know that sleeping with anyone other than me was not fucking happening.

“I told you the other night—I want you to be happy,” I said, my voice hushed to keep my words between us. “Spend time with your sister? Go have fun anytime you want with her. Don’t want to plan business dinners? Fine, we’ll eat out. But one thing I won’t do?” I leaned closer, my eyes narrowing. “Iwon’tsit back while you sneak out at night to be with another man.”

She jolted in shock when I grasped her chin to keep her close. Her eyes gleamed with fury, and I knew without a doubt I would come to regret these words at some point. But right now, my mind was too far gone to care.

“I told you to walk away if this isn’t the life you want,” I continued gruffly. “You’re still here. I will do whatever I can to see you enjoying life.Exceptwatch you go find pleasure in another man. I don’t care that you’ve been gone for five years. Or how you pretend to hate me. That is one thing I won’t fucking do. You’remine.”

Her body was rigid, but after a moment, she relaxed in my hold, a sinful smile spreading across her face.

She let out a humorless chuckle. “Oh Damian. I haven’t slept with anyone since I’ve come home. But if I did? You wouldn’t know. No matter how much you try to keep tabs on me.”

My jaw clenched. “Natalia?—”

“I’ve told you I’ll live whatever life I want whether I stay or leave,” she cut me off sharply. “You dictating what I do will blow up in your face. So stop trying.”

Tearing herself from my grasp, she spun on her heel, storming away before disappearing into Charlotte’s apartment building. I stayed completely still, forcing myself not to go after her. Not that I could—I didn’t have the door code to get into the damn lobby.

“Fuck,” I muttered as I headed back to my SUV. Usually, I took control of all conversations, but when it came to my wife, she knew exactly how to push my buttons.

I didn’t care if she saw our marriage as nothing but a contract. I wanted to know what the hell she was up to.

CHAPTER 24

talie

“I don’t know. I think I should tell him you’re here?—”

“Kal, I’m here to surprise him.” I smiled sweetly as my heart raced. “You don’t want to ruin it, do you?”

I was at the employee entrance of Damian’s club, and I had to admit Kal took his head of security job seriously. There was a code on the door, making it impossible for me to enter unless he allowed it.

He stared at me warily, running a hand through his black hair. His eyes traveled down my skintight club dress before quickly meeting my gaze again. “Last time, he didn’t seem too pleased you were here.”

I giggled. “A lot has changed since then. I promise he’ll be excited to see me.”

He pressed his lips together, indecision swimming in his eyes. As Damian’s wife, he didn’t want to disrespect me, but he also didn’t want to get in trouble. A tinge of guilt sliced through me, though it wasn’t enough to leave.

“The show already started,” he informed me. “He doesn’t have his phone on him, so you won’t be able to see him until after.”

“I don’t mind waiting.”

My stomach churned with excitement and nerves. The first night coming here popped into my head, causing heat to rush down my spine. Until Damian revealed himself on stage, the show had been amazing. Watching the show would definitely be a good way to spend the night. It would be interesting to see how long it took my husband to realize I was here.

We’d barely spoken since he showed up at Char’s apartment at four in the morning to interrogate me. His jealousy had sent a whirlwind of emotions through me. I couldn’t deny the satisfaction when I realized my husband cared enough to know what I’d been doing when sneaking behind his back.

I had no intention of sleeping with anyone, but my stubbornness had refused to let me admit that to him. Let him go crazy. Who knew Damian Valentin was an over-the-top possessive asshole?

The question was—did he care for me or was he doing this because I wore his ring?

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