The Ex and Her Riches novel (Gwendolyn and Maverick)

“He’s likely played like a pawn, oblivious to everything. I think he’s driven here solely by obsessive determination,” she replied.

Gwendolyn stifled a laugh and continued, “I might as well leverage this about of amnesia to extinguish his hopes of ever getting together with me, sooner rather than later. It’s high time that he moves on with his life and stops pining for me. After all, I’m already Mrs. Jenson.”

Cedrick was elated to hear her utter the words “Mrs. Jenson.”

“So, when you said you’d choose me at the hospital, was it for Charles’ benefit as well?” he asked.

Gwendolyn cradled his face with her hands and looked into his eyes. “It seems you noticed Charles lurking at the door back then?”

He merely smiled and gave nothing away.

With his vigilant nature, how could he not have noticed Charles’ presence? He simply chose to ignore it.

“Why aren’t you answering it, Gwenny? Did you really say it for Charles’ benefit? Do you still care for him? If Gwenny truly suffered from amnesia and was first found by him, would she not have chosen him instead?

He kept the final question to himself.

He dared not gamble on the outcome.

Gwendolyn gently pinched his face. “Indeed, I intended for Charles to hear it, but it was also a genuine confession. I’ve chosen you in this life, Hubby. I will have no one else as my husband.”

Cedrick released her waist. He slowly straightened his thighs, with knees still chafed against the Lego pieces, as he embraced her with a single hand and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

His kiss was gentle, brimming with the longing and affection that had built up over these days. It was as if he was savoring a rare treasure. Despite the humble posture, there was no sense of debasement. He was the dominant force in this kiss.

As their kisses deepened, their breaths grew ragged.

His heart pounded with a wild, irrepressible fervor that was utterly overwhelming.

Gwendolyn was almost robbed of her breath. Struggling to breathe, she pushed against his shoulders to end the reunion kiss.

Wiping the corners of her slightly reddened lips, she avoided Cedrick’s intense gaze, reached for the ruler nearby, and changed the subject. “Now that I no longer have to feign amnesia in front of you, let’s settle the score for your smoking.”

Cedrick’s lips curled into an indulgent and doting smile. “Sure.”

Gwendolyn caught her breath and tried to avoid his seductive eyes.

“Given that you could smoke four in my presence the other day, be honest and tell me, how many did you smoke in this period?” she asked.

Cedrick pondered a moment before refuting, “Gwenny, you’re exaggerating. I only smoked three the other day. The fourth one was barely lit. I hadn’t taken more than two drags before you tossed it away.”

Gwendolyn frowned in displeasure. “What difference does it make between three and four? Are you intentionally nitpicking? Do you take pride in going through three cigarettes in a matter of hours?”

“No…”

grew more irate. How could his

for action. “Which hand did

then obediently extended his

rang out as the uncompromising

immediately felt a sharp

remained still, looking down at his hand, which was

It hurt, as always.

felt

his throat,

after getting punished?” Gwendolyn

sting in his nose. With a smile still tugged at his lips, he

was back. She had not lost her memories, nor had she

many cigarettes did you smoke in my absence?

mulled

want the truth,” Gwendolyn

two packs. I never smoked in front of them, but Benny did detect the

brows furrowed deeply. “How many cigarettes are there in a

I smoke is a pack of ten,” he replied

ten days’ time, you’ve smoked about twenty cigarettes? Cedrick, you might as well eat those cigarettes! Even Benny managed to detect the smell.

shook his head. “No. I haven’t slept well these past few days. I took to smoking to ease the dullness and didn’t really keep track of how much I smoked. Benny caught the scent one day even after I had taken a bath, and the scent had faded. I

that much. Trying to explain himself otherwise

extended his right hand, ready to take his punishment.

expected that he would indulge himself so over the past ten

that could wreak havoc on one’s health. Moreover, they had a child

to discipline you to etch the lessons deeply

tapped the edge of the bed. “Considering your current work commitments, a hand injury would

up at her words, and his

cordial, almost homely. But now, he felt an

it you’ve smoked twenty-five cigarettes in total. For each one, you’ll receive two strikes. Once done, we’ll never talk

Fifty strikes…

the scores would be settled, he slowly got

with the dull sound

over him,

held his breath, clenched his fists, and

challenge the authority of house rules. An angry woman was truly

hold back, her blows landing with an unrelenting

a few days, arrange to get a checkup

of excessive smoking was monumental, and