Love and Devotion No Longer His to Claim by Dream Fish

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

At that moment, Dexter wanted nothing more than to crush Angela's jaw to make her remember. No one knew better than he did just how important that wedding ring was to her.

Angela, on the other hand, struggled hard against him. Red marks appeared on her pale cheek from his vice– like grip. Her eyes were red, but she clenched her teeth and refused to beg for mercy.

That illusionary love she had once held on to had vanished the moment she had discovered Elena's existence. Selling that ring had been a relief.

Otherwise, it would have only reminded her of the humiliating life she had lived the last three years, being nothing more than a doormat to Dexter.

As she struggled, her towel slipped and exposed her breasts-it was an alluring sight.

Dexter's gaze darkened as his eyes shot to her exposed skin for a brief moment. He then smirked wickedly while remarking, "What's this? Are you trying to seduce me now? Do you think that using such cheap tactics will make me go easy on you?"

His gaze was filled with mockery, as though he saw her as nothing more than an escort.

"Fine..." Dexter's smirk grew wider, but the look in his eyes became colder. “Since you're so eager, I'd hate to disappoint you."

He moved in to kiss her lips. After all, the only thing Angela had going for her was her face. Dexter thought she had crossed a line and deserved punishment that day.

"Get away from me!" Angela shouted, somehow mustering enough strength to push Dexter away.

Then, she slapped him hard across the face.

The sound of the slap echoed in the room. Dexter's face turned sharply to the side from the force of the slap. A glaring red handprint quickly appeared on his grim face.

"You've already disappointed me enough, Dexter Bamford. Don't make me sick," Angela spat, her gaze fixed on him as she held back tears.

The humiliation she had endured in recent days was nothing compared to that single comment Dexter had made just a second ago.

Angela found herself laughable. She had loved him for so many years, only to have him teach her the importance of knowing when to cut her losses when something was no longer worth it.

“Get out!” She glared at him with her jaw clenched. She pointed toward the door, her gaze

Chapter 9

icy.

grabbed her wrist and threw her onto the bed, pinning her down

was crazy, and he was

thoroughly angered, and his fury was so

let

truck. She had no idea how she had endured the previous night. She lay exhausted on the bed; she had already been awake for some time

during the night. Before he had left, she

opened an art app, Heartistry. A few days ago, she had registered an account on the platform and uploaded some of her previous illustrations

sent her a friend request. The person asked

hesitated, realizing that she hadn't even looked into the

she replied, "I can draw it for you. I'll need a 50-dollar

one similar to her rates back when she had been in

replied, “Okay" Then, they sent her the prompt-ripples on a green

rely on her design skills to support herself. No matter how powerful and capable Dexter was, he wouldn't be able

this opportunity to build her

she planned to go to the store to buy

Chapter 9

mirror, she noticed the obvious love marks on her neck, chest, and shoulders. Last night's madness replayed in her mind, and a displeased

spent the entire afternoon painting. She had no idea that someone had been lingering downstairs where she was staying for

blazing, and

You're going to get heatstroke.” Another one of Dexter's

it necessary to get this mad over a few teasing remarks? In fact, Dexter was

shook his head at Dexter upon recalling what had happened

who was more than ten years older than him in age. When they had met, his eyes had been immediately drawn

Bamford, I didn't expect you and your wife to be so close," he had

was a loud and boisterous man. He had even encouraged his subordinates

of the conference room huffily without so much as a

snapped, his sharp gaze cutting toward

dared not utter

moment later, Dexter got into the car. However, his anger wouldn't subside. All he could think of was the laughter he had endured and

letting her have it easy anymore. If she wanted to keep playing hard to get,

me back!"