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.

expression became incredibly grim. With a cold laugh, he grabbed her wrist and threw her

he was just as

He was thoroughly angered, and his fury was so intense

let it

endured the previous night. She lay exhausted on the bed; she had already been awake for some time but was

left during the night. Before he had left,

forced herself to sit up and opened an art app, Heartistry. A few days ago, she had registered an account on the platform and uploaded some of her previous illustrations and designs. She had

that her work had already garnered thousands of views. Today, someone had even sent her a

looked

can draw it for you. I'll need a 50-dollar deposit, and I charge 200 dollars for

set a low price. It was one similar to her rates back when she had been in

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

that not having a job at the moment was fine. At least she could rely on her design skills to support herself. No matter how powerful and capable Dexter was, he wouldn't

could use this opportunity to build

forced herself to get up. After washing up, she planned to go to the store to

Chapter 9

neck, chest, and shoulders. Last night's madness replayed in her mind, and a

the entire afternoon painting. She had no idea that someone had

sun was blazing, and

the car. You're going to get heatstroke.” Another one

teasing remarks? In fact, Dexter

his head at Dexter upon recalling what had happened

than him in age. When they had met, his eyes had

you and your

was a loud and boisterous man. He had even encouraged his subordinates to appreciate the obvious mark on Dexter's

out of the conference room huffily without so much as a word to his

snapped, his sharp gaze

and dared not

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

to admit that she had changed. Now, he had no intention of letting her have it easy anymore. If she wanted to keep playing hard to get, she could do

back!"