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.

She didn't

"You get what you want. I get

worried I'll go

smart for

this. You're as dangerous as he is." Just as frightening—and, against her better judgment, just

out and shook his hand. “Let's

Giselle loved a gamble.

always bet on herself to

had no other

been driven into a corner. There was no retreat, not now. Every opportunity had to be

Could Forrest double-cross her?

trust

right now, she had no

the day ever came that Forrest betrayed her,

sure he and Mila paid

down, she'd

the open. Giselle forced down her swirling thoughts, finalized the partnership and staffing arrangements with Forrest, and

Forrest stayed behind.

watched her disappear down the stairs, his expression unreadable. When his coffee was finally gone, as if something had clicked into place, he reached for his phone and made

...

Upstairs, in her bedroom,

sat on her bed, silent after Forrest finished speaking. The line was quiet;

heavy silence filled

couldn't quite name what

A strange, unexpected calm.

by suspicion, by

find peace, living in a

now, with the truth finally out, she felt eerily composed-so

Mostly, she felt confusion.

rising tide of anger at

she let out a low, tired sigh. Her voice was hoarse when she finally spoke. "Thank you, Forrest.

so great. Want me to come over?" Forrest's voice

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