Married To My Ex-Husband’s Rival by Jobet GraySon

Chapter Twenty Three

Third–person POV

Richard waited anxiously in his car outside Amber’s apartment building. They had agreed that he would pick her up so they could go together to meet his parents. He had called her the previous night to inform her of the meeting, and to his surprise, she agreed immediately, her voice filled with unexpected confidence as she assured him that he had nothing to worry about.

But Richard couldn’t shake off his nerves. There was a lot at stake, and he didn’t want Amber to make any mistakes or say anything that might give away the fact that their marriage was a contract, a business arrangement. He wanted her to blend in seamlessly to win his parents‘ trust and approval.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally caught sight of Amber making her way down from her apartment. The sight of her took his breath away. She looked completely different from what he was accustomed to seeing.

Today, she had dressed elegantly, exuding a sense of sophistication that he hadn’t witnessed before, and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from her, studying every detail, from the way she carried herself to the grace with which she moved.

Amber, noticing his intense gaze, arched an eyebrow and asked, “Is there something wrong with how I’m dressed? Did I miss the memo on the dress code?”

Richard quickly composed himself, realizing that he might have been staring for too long. “No, no, nothing’s wrong at all. I’m just… surprised. You look absolutely beautiful, Amber.”

She scoffed, a hint of amusement touching her eyes. “Well, Richard, just because you’ve only seen me in casual fits or like a black widow doesn’t mean I can’t pull off looking stunning every now and

then.”

A smile tugged at Richard’s lips, and he shook his head. “No, of course not. I just… I didn’t expect this, that’s all.”

Amber smirked and threw him a playful look. “Careful now, Richard. Don’t go falling for me just because I’ve glammed up. We still have a contract to uphold, remember?”

Richard chuckled, a knowing t

Ad skipped.

That will never happen.”

With a playful roll of her eyes, she darted toward the car, gracefully sliding into the passenger sea

Chapter Twenty Three

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driving, he couldn’t help but steal glances at her, admiration clear in his eyes. He had never seen this side of her before, and for the first time, he felt a sense of pride at the fact that she was going to be the woman everyone would refer

voice uncharacteristically soft. “Richard, I meant what I said. I won’t make any mistakes, and I won’t let your parents catch onto the fact that we’re not

is

was sitting beside him in the car. He could sense the tension

front of my parents,” he said, his voice gentle. “But if, at any point, you start

I’ll do my best to make a good impression.”

met and fell in love?” she asked delicately.

right words. “Honestly, coming up with elaborate stories about love is not my strong suit,” he admitted with a rueful smile. “I did tell them the basics–that I’m madly in love with you. But if they start digging deeper, I need you to act like I’m the only thing that

it sounds very cringe. But they’ve always valued relationships and love. If you can convince them that I’m your rock and that I

let out an exaggerated sigh, playfully rolling her eyes. “Oh

see her tension ease, if only for a moment. “I have faith in you, partner. Just be your charming self, and

small smile tugging at her

rock and my world.” She paused, then

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Chapter Twenty Three

her eyes. “Even if it does sound cringeworthy,”

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car turned into the driveway of the grand Romero Mansion, Amber’s jaw dropped in awe at the sight before her. The sheer size and magnificence of the mansion were breathtaking. Unconsciously,

with a hint of amusement in

with a teasing

blinked, her surprise evident on her face. “Richard, this

voice filled with

the mansion. “Amber, you keep acting like you weren’t

to Kayden Black, who, might I add, is pretty wealthy himself. I