Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 486

"It's a wild theory, I know."

Giselle hadn't said a word for a long time, so Forrest pressed on. "But I've mulled it over and over, retraced every step. As implausible as it sounds, I can't find another explanation. And the thing is, I actually know that man-well enough, at least. When the news first broke, I was stunned."

Stunned wasn't even the half of it.

He'd known the man for years-his sworn enemy, truth be told-and when word came he was dead, there was satisfaction, yes, but mostly confusion and disbelief.

Was he really the sort to die so easily?

But then came the funeral, Mila's grief and trauma, the chaos that rocked Montgomery Holdings, and the chain reaction in the aftermath—all of it pointed to the same truth: the man was really gone.

If it was all a lie, would he really have let Forrest suffer those losses, wager his entire fortune just to keep up the charade?

What was the point?

Still, too many things lately didn't add up. Forrest couldn't shake the strange suspicion gnawing at him. He started digging, found nothing concrete... but it was exactly those vague, inconclusive details that made him doubt all the more.

Something was definitely off.

Naturally, his thoughts turned to Giselle.

She'd been acting strange, too. If his hunch was right, then suddenly Giselle's baffling motives and behavior made sense.

That's why he'd insisted on meeting her today.

He wasn't worried about being too blunt. After all, it was Giselle who needed something from him, and that put the power squarely in his hands.

Sure enough,

Giselle only stared at him in silence, her usually perfect smile fading, replaced by a cold detachment. The warmth in her dark eyes had frozen over; the way she looked at him now-this was the real Giselle.

Forrest said nothing, just took a sip of his coffee and waited. He already had his answer.

"What do you want?"

At last, Giselle spoke, making no attempt to deny it.

down his coffee cup, and extended his hand. "Ms.

didn't

curled in a knowing smile. "You get what you want. I get what I want. Fair

worried I'll go after

smart

"Maybe. But I'm starting to regret this. You're as dangerous as

reached out and shook his hand. “Let's

Giselle loved a gamble.

she always bet

had no other

running the company, Giselle had been driven into a corner. There was no retreat, not now. Every opportunity had to be seized, or she wouldn't

Could Forrest double-cross her?

didn't trust

she had no choice but

the day ever came that Forrest betrayed

Mila paid

went down, she'd take everyone with

thing she'd feared for so long was out in the open. Giselle forced down her swirling thoughts, finalized the partnership and staffing arrangements with Forrest, and then took her

Forrest stayed behind.

coffee was finally gone, as

...

Upstairs, in her bedroom,

Forrest finished

silence

name what

A strange, unexpected calm.

suspicion, by fear and anxiety,

living in a constant

finally out, she felt eerily composed-so much so that it

Mostly, she felt confusion.

a rising tide of

was hoarse when

Want me to come over?" Forrest's voice

then added, "Not tonight. And let's just pretend you never