Chapter 15 You’re Out of Options
A sarcastic smile played on Caroline’s lips.
“Doesn’t it sting? You were so close to marrying her.”
14 min left
Caleb’s eyes were as cold and venomous as he glared at her.
“You know damn well why we didn’t end up together! You’re the reason, yet here you are, trying to blame others!”
Caroline laughed dryly. “Keep lying. But deep down, you know the truth. Your mom killed your wedding plans way before our hookup even happened!”
She sucked in a breath, her voice tinged with exasperation.
“And now? I’m stepping aside for you. Just marry your
sweetheart. I’ve even teed up the public outrage for you. What’s holding you back? Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.”
Caleb froze.
Those trending hashtags? His first thought wasn’t about losing Michelle.
No, it was disbelief at Caroline’s lengths to ditch him.
He couldn’t believe that even now, all she cared about was leaving him.
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Deliberately provoking her, he said, “I have loved Michelle for so many years. If I want to marry her, it’s gonna be legit. But you? You made her look like some homewrecker. You’re gonna pay!”
Caroline didn’t flinch, her face a mask of indifference.
“Then go ahead,” she shot back. “Hold her tight and tell the world she’s your soulmate. Problem solved. No one’ll care if she’s the side chick. Simple as that. Why you making it hard?”
Her calm only fueled his fury.
With a sudden shove, he sent her stumbling back onto the
couch.
Caleb moved in, bracing his arms on either side of her, caging
her in beneath him.
“So desperate to ditch me? You can’t wait to see me with someone else?” He leaned in close, his voice a low growl laced with menace. “What’s the rush? Got a new guy lined up, or upset because I didn’t satisfy you in bed?”
His breath grazed her ear, carrying the faint scent of sage.
That chiseled, handsome face hovered inches from hers.
Caroline thrashed beneath him, but he locked her down with his
legs.
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“Quit squirming,” he rasped, his voice rougher now. “You’re still my wife. Anything I do is perfectly legal. Once you get a real taste of me, you’ll see those other guys out there don’t hold a candle.”
Then he dipped his head and nipped at her earlobe.
A shudder ran through her, revulsion surging in her gut.
Steeling herself, she jerked her head aside.
Caleb pulled back instantly, wary of hurting her ear.
In that split second, Caroline yanked her arm free, cracked him across the face with a stinging slap, and drove her knee hard into his groin.
As he doubled over with a grunt, she shoved him off and scrambled free.
But Caleb wasn’t some pushover. He’d spent years training, hitting the gym, and sparring. His strength wasn’t just for show.
As he toppled, he snagged her arm, pulling her down with him.
To steady herself, Caroline had to brace against his arm.
Quick as a flash, he hooked his legs around hers.
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“What’re you running from?” he sneered. “You’re the one who stooped to slipping me drugs back then. Don’t play the saint now!”
“First off, I didn’t drug you,” she snapped, dripping with scorn. “Second, you think every woman’s dying to jump you? Who’d want a used–up guy some mistress already pawed over?
“You, in my bed? Scrub yourself two hundred times, and I’d still gag. Keep your hands off me!”
Caleb’s face turned to stone. “So you did find someone else?”
“Cut the rumors. With or without another guy, I’m done with you,” Caroline said, ice in her tone. “Since I dared to set up this situation, I’m ready. Even if you don’t run to the hospital, I can still use public opinion to force you into a divorce.”
His eyes glinted with danger. “What’s your next move?”
“Just look outside the window, and you’ll know,” Caroline said with a light laugh. “I’ve told you, once I’ve made up my mind, no one can stop me.”
Caleb clamped her wrists, hauling her to the window.
Down below, a swarm of reporters had gathered, cameras trained right on them.
He yanked the curtains shut, his face livid, voice thick with fury.
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Chapter 15 You’re Out of Options
“Have you lost your mind?”
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“This is crazy to you?” Caroline laughed bitterly. “When you kept pushing me, cornering me, did you ever think about the fallout? The second you nabbed Wilfred, I tweeted my address. Now every journalist in town’s camped out here.”
Caleb stared, disbelief etched on his face. “Do this, and you’ll never know peace again.”
“I’ll handle the fallout,” she shrugged. “Anything’s better than being stuck with you. Sign the divorce papers, and I’ll tell the press we’re splitting peacefully. If not…” She glanced at the window. “I’ll jump.”
“And if I get hurt,” she added, locking eyes with him, “everyone will pin it on you.”
Her eyes were cold, devoid of any old affection.
Caleb’s heart sank like a stone.
For the first time in his life, panic clawed at him.
Before he could respond, Caroline pressed him. “Still mulling it over? Drag this out if you want, but I can’t control tomorrow’s headlines. Caleb, you’re out of options.”
“So this is your grand plan to shake me off?” he said with a cold laugh.
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“You Martins have all the power,” she shot back, arching a brow. “I had to get creative. Have you made up your mind yet?”
Caleb flung her hands off him. “Fine, I…”
Before he could finish, a blinding beam of light blasted up from
below.
Moments later, multiple cars sped into the neighborhood.
A crew piled out, surrounding the reporters in a tight ring.
And then, the journalists began packing up and leaving.
The tide turned in an instant.
Caroline gaped at the empty street below, dumbfounded.
How the hell…
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