Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 3

Effie's eyes widened in shock, and she rushed to explain herself.

"No, it's not what you think. I never saw it that way. Things between Mitchell and me have really fallen apart, and my grandma's getting older-she's always hoped I'd settle down soon. That's the only reason I want to get married."-

Use Lyman as a backup plan? She wasn't crazy.

Lyman's expression remained unreadable, giving nothing away.

"You're really willing to leave him?" he asked, voice cool.

She scoffed, a flicker of disdain in her eyes. "What's there to miss about a guy who can't stop cheating?" The sting of being humiliated in that private room still lingered, but it had also snapped her awake. After what Mitchell said, she was done-completely done.

Lyman's eyes glimmered with something bright as his brows arched, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.

He half-closed his eyes, lifting his chin ever so slightly, his voice low and rough as if straining with restraint. "You're sure about this?"

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her words were steady. "I'm sure. I'm done with trash."

so close his breath was hot against her sensitive ear. "You're the one who came to me first," he murmured, voice smoldering. "No

couldn't speak. Finally, lashes

caution to the

Tomorrow, we get the marriage license." Lyman

caught off guard. "That

there

Could you take me home?

her off at her

After her father, Shepard Bagnold, abandoned her and her mom to move in with his mistress Vera, everything had changed. Vera's daughter had

betrayal. She lost her grip on reality and, not long after, died in a car accident. The pain of

it all—her mother's death, her own broken childhood. She knew she'd

had landed a job at Mitchell's company, E&M Group. At the recent holiday party,

the jewelry business, earning a name for itself in just a few years. Maybe that's why

strictly on the design team. She rarely crossed paths with Mitchell, let alone paid attention to new hires. She only

mattered anymore-Effie had already drawn

never expected Mitchell to