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

Chapter 42

*

The clock ticked endlessly, and I regretted not getting a digital one.

Her eyes had been so bright when she saw it in the pile of old junk my father had given to me as ‘Heirlooms. Even if it was broken, she saw the spark it still held.

So I fixed it and put it on the wall.

And she smiled.

But now, it felt like a curse.

I stared up at the ceiling, exhaustion in every inch of my weary body as I listened to the ticking of that clock. Every second felt like days, and every hour felt like years.

I’d been so drunk, and I felt every bit of it as I woke up. I deserved to feel awful. And I had all day.

Her eyes swam with tears as she declared she was leaving. I always hated her tears. They were too raw, too honest, and heartbreaking.

Every tick of the clock was the sound of her slamming the door behind her, the rattling of the walls, and the sound of her footsteps racing down the hall and further away from me.

Now, that was all I could hear. Our fight was on repeat throughout the night as my mind refused to drift away into the sleep I desperately needed.

No, I had to relive the sound of her breaking heart over and over, my cold and cruel voice replaying in my head as I pushed her away.

The sound of silence she left behind and that damn stupid clock. It was all becoming too much, too loud.

I’m a f*cking idiot. I threw my arm over my face.

Why didn’t I chase after her? Why didn’t I beg her to stay and apologize until my voice was hoarse?

Why did I have to ruin every good thing I had for myself? Why did I always have to get in my own way?

The sound of knocking on the bedroom door brought me out of my self-pity party, and I glanced at it, seeing the shadow move under the door.

Not good for you,” Mrs. Rivas sighed on the other side of the door, her footsteps loud. and heavy as she set down a plate.

she was gone. The smell of food traveled under the door,

button one last time. It

Hilde-” the voice messenge started again, but I hung up.

voice-mails already and not a single call back. I was beyond looking desperate; this was verging on

to stop.

I covered my face with

fix it. But just as I had settled myself into another long night

hope burst into my chest for the first time since I had let her walk away

needing to hear just the sound of her voice. Anything

Lacey replied, confused. “It’s

“Oh.”

the depression crushing me into the sheets as I bit out,

have a fight or something?” Lacey asked with concern in her voice. “Cause normally she’d

to think of what to say.

“I messed up.”

it to protect the last bits of my pride.

entirely my

just wanted to ask if we should go to the bridal shower or not. Because I don’t wanna step into that drama. Well, unless there’s

I rubbed my face, tiredly, my brain not going as fast as it normally would. I felt like I was swimming through molasses for

a ‘duh’ sort of tone. “Kathy’s her

or not.” I bit

“But at least make sure Adelaide charges her phone when

phone?” I perked up

but then paused. “Didn’t you know that? You two aren’t divorcing, are you? Cause if you are. I call getting Addie on Christmas and

my eyes traveling to the clock still ticking away on the wall. Her giggles as

had never lasted this long. It

of my wounded pride fractured like glass as I jumped to my feet. Before my mistakes and fragile insecurities. Adelaide’s safety came first.

had always

care as I raced to the bathroom, doing my best to neaten my exhausted appearance. I looked like a right mess, unshaven with dark shadows

gotten used to pulling all-nighters, but now. I loved curling up in bed with her, feeling her safe and warm. in my arms. One night without her, and I was

know what you do to me. Addie.” I murmured to myself as I stormed out of the bedroom. My pity