Secret Billionaire’s Contract Bride: Marrying My Enemy’s Lover

Chapter 41

There was no handsome face to greet me when I opened my eyes. There was no morning greeting or warm body next to mine. There were no giggles in the air as he pressed kisses along my neck, begging me to stay in for just one more minute.

It was just cold and empty.

I hissed as I stepped into the cold shower, the luxury of hot water had spoiled me.

I’d been used to this tepid cold water, the five minutes rule, as I washed and stepped out in a hurry through chattering teeth and shivering skin.

But now, I half-expected the door to open, for him to be there as he stepped in behind me, whispering my name as he seduced me into another round.

The kitchen didn’t smell like Mrs. Rivas’ fresh baked goods sitting on the counter, no sign of the freshly brewed coffee still steaming. My violet mug with ‘I hate mornings’ written on it was missing.

I did my best with the instant coffee I scrounged for in the cupboard. The lack of groceries was apparent after weeks of not being here.

The coffee was bitter with no creamer to soothe its harshness. No sugar to sweeten its sharp taste.

It was just bitter. Bitter and empty like everything else in this stupid apartment

Now, I could only see the flaws. How the light in the kitchen flickered, and the bumps in the stained carpet never laid down. flat. How the window let in a draft of cold morning air, and the leaky faucet never stopped dripping.

Even the cupboards all squeaked when I opened them, and each sound was worse than the last. I didn’t always hate this place, but after living with Damon, everything about it was off to me.

I ground my teeth together, pouring out the half-finished too-bitter coffee as I rinsed the dish and wished I was anywhere

else.

It was easy to grab my coat, shoes, and keys and leave the apartment behind. I locked up the apartment, intending to leave when I ran right into something bright blue and fell onto my *ss.

I groaned, rubbing my tailbone as I glanced at what I had run into.

“Oh, my! My glasses!”

The old woman in the bright blue sweater felt around the old floors for a pair of glasses just out of reach, a newspaper falling directly beside her.

“Mrs. Merryweather!” I cried as I jumped to my feet, grabbing her glasses and placing them in her hands.

“Oh, thank you, dear!” Mrs. Merrywheather smiled as I helped her to her feet. I snatched the newspaper off the floor and stiffened.

It had a picture of Ashton and Corinna on the front, both waving to the camera, but it was the headline that caught my

attention.

friendship of the Steyns and Hildebrands? Stocks have plummeted

handing the newspaper back.

if it isn’t my favorite neighbor,” Mrs. Merrywheather chuckled. “It’s been difficult to see a hint of you around here these past few weeks.”

reminded me of when my grandmother would scold me and made me feel guilty. “I

It’s been easier than ever to grab my letters! They just pile on your doorstep!”

feeling warm for the first time that

to get to work, but I’ll see you

I hope not!”

old woman with

company, but I’m not blind

in the hallways. It was peeling and turning

smiled up at me. “You know, Robert and I used to fight, and I

I asked, quietly.

loved him.” Mrs. Merrywhether smiled sadly, her gaze distant as she finished. “Now I think of those days, and I wonder how many moments I had wasted being angry and storming

in her eyes. I’d never met her husband,

I murmured, squeezing her

kindly. “I loved him, and he loved me. That’s more than many get in this world. If you truly love

on her feet as she pointed at the stairs. “And

winked, and I

she meant to me, and by the misty

knew she knew.

a

like a rose in my chest, I

close to the markers. Rosaline, reset cameras four through five and make the closeup

ground, dusting himself off as the scene reset in front of me. I crossed my arms, watching closely under the

today. Addie.”

boss,” Jenna grinned. “And you are the

eyes fondly, staring intently at the camera. “I have somewhere to be, so we need to get out quickly. No more mistakes.”

Wed

already,” Jenna protested. “We’re more than halfway done.”

can’t mess up now,”

his headphones on as he mixed the sound and lighting. Once she was sure he wasn’t paying attention, she leaned over my shoulder to whisper,

is none of my business, Jenna,” I said, calmly. “You won’t be getting any juicy details from

me.”

wedding, silly,” Jenna rolled her eyes, taking the seat next to me. “I

to her with a

I said,