Chapter 14
I knew Mom didn’t call me back for no reason.
“I’ll start cooking. You and Chad have a talk.” She heads to the kitchen, all smiles.
My eyes land on the coffee table: Hermès boxes, a Rolex, cigars, top–shelf wine…
Figures.
“Joan, do you really not remember me?”
“You told my mother to call me here?” ]
“You wouldn’t see me! I had no choice.”
Chad’s eyes are all wounded – puppy. [
“Shane’s lying to you! I’m your husband–Mom can prove it.” [
He shoves our marriage certificate at me, flashes his wedding ring.[]
These are custom–made, one–of–a–kind. The designer engraved our initials inside.” []
He points it out like I’m an idiot: “My forever lover‘–that’s our vow.” [
Sounds familiar. Oh right, I used that line on him not long ago. When I stay quiet, he blurts: “If you don’t believe me, we can-”
“I believe you.” [
Relief floods his face, but then he scowls: “Joan, Shane took advantage of you. Let’s go to the police-” [
I cut him off: “The girl at the dessert shop? She’s pregnant.” []
“Joan, it’s not what you think! I was wasted, made a mistake-”
“You cheated.” My stare pins his panic. [
“I’ll make her abort. You’re always my wife… I know you were confused because of amnesia Just press charges against Shane, and we’ll start over.” [
Start over. Ha.
“I don’t remember the past.” I fold the certificate, dead serious. “I don’t know why I married you, but I know I wouldn’t like a guy like you.” [
“Joan, we grew up together! You loved me-
“But I don’t remember that!” I snap.
His red eyes remind me of myself two months ago–except I was worse, because I trusted him. The man I loved drove a knife into my chest. He’ll never feel that kind of pain. __
“If we were soulmates, if you saw me as your wife, if you really loved me–why wasn’t I waking up to you in the hospital? Why didn’t you take care of m?”
“Joan, that’s Shane’s fault! He kept you from me-”
I cut him off again: “You never called me. As my husband, didn’t you notice I wasn’t home for a month? If we were so in love, we’d live together, right?” [
Chad goes pale, stammering: “Actually… I had a car accident too, hit my head. That’s why I forgot you.” [
“Huh, how convenient. You remember now? You Sure I’m your wife?” [
My Husband Left Me for a Secretary–His Billionaire Buddy: Finally, Time to Crown My Queen!
76.5%
Chapter
*100%! The law says so!”
“But you’re a stranger to me.” 0
“Joan, come home with me. I’ll help you remember, 1-”
His phone rings. He checks the screen, frowns, answers, “What?” [
Before his assistant can speak, Eve’s shrill voice cuts in: “Chad, are you coming or not? If not, I’m jumping off your office building with the baby!”
“Don’t do anything stupid!”
D
After Chad bolts, I eat with Mom and leave. []
That night, the trending topic explodes:
#Billionaire Cheats on Wife with Secretary; Pregnant Mistress Threatens Suicide. []
My phone won’t stop buzzing–DMs, texts, even my dead – ass alumni group is lit. [
“Joan, is Chad really cheating?” [
“Rich guys always stray. Guess even you two aren’t immune. RIP love.”
“Joan, I thought you had it all. Guess every family has drama. Wanna grab coffee tomorrow?”
“Better to marry a nobody. My hubby’s broke but loyal. @Joanna Jones, you feel me?”
I ignore them. My mother calls, and I answer just to hear her take. [
“Joan, Chad cheated? I told you to have a baby! Now some floozy’s knocked up. What are you gonna do?” []
I hang up and block her number. []
Tears spill over as I bury my face in my hands. []
Then footsteps–arms wrap around me from behind, a sigh in my ear: []
“Do you love him that much?“]
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