Chapter 25
Achill ran down Daphne’s spine as his towering figure blocked out the light, casting her in shadows. His eyes were like those of a wild animal, filled with barrly contained rage.
“Yancey, what are you doing?” she demanded, her voice trembling.
“Philip and Chester weren’t enough for you? Now you’re here for even more men? Yancey’s hands slammed against the wall on either side of her face, pinning her in place. His eyes blazed with fury as he leaned in closer, invading her personal space.
Daphne straightened and looked into his eyes. “Why bother asking who I’m with? None of your business,” she retorted, her voice dripping with defiance
Yancey’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes swirling with a storm of emotions.
Daphne’s face turned cold as she reminded him, “Don’t forget—we’re already divorced.”
With that, she tried to push his hands away, but Yancey’s strength was overwhelming. She couldn’t break free.
A wave of helplessness washed over her, and she looked up at him, her eyes filled with resignation. “Yancey, what do you really want from me?”
He was the one who said he didn’t love her. He was the one who agreed to the divorce. And yet, even after they were divorced, he still couldn’t let her go. Daphne couldn’t understand what was wrong with him.
Yancey stood there, his face a mask of unreadable calm. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice low and measured, “Divorce doesn’t crase the past You’re still my ex–wife.
phne’s eyes narrowed, her brows furrowing in frustration “So what? We’re done. Over. We have no business being in each other’s lives anymore
Yancey’s gaze was steady, almost unnervingly so. “I must protect the Goodman Group’s reputation. And that includes making sure my ex–wife doesn’t inadvertently drag it through the mud.”
if paparazzi snaps her with a new man every week… I’ll become a laughingstock–the cuckolded CEO! The thought hardened his resolve.
Daphne’s eyes blared with anger as she thought, Who does he think he is, policing my dating life? I’m divorced, I can do whatever I want
So she reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and warned, “I should’ve known you’re such a crazy man. Listen, we’re done. If you keep this up, 111 call the police and report you for harassment. Your company’s reputation will be the least of your worries then”
With that,
t, she called 911 immediately.
Yancey’s eyes darkened, but he took a step back, giving her space.
Daphne put her phone away, her expression cold. “Mr. Goodman, stay out of my business. You’re supposed to marry my dear sister soon. If people see us like this, they think we’re still together.”
“So you really want me to be with Hannah Yancey’s voice was low, almost a growl.
With a sneer.
Daphne turned to
d to the sink, pumping soap and scrubbing her hands as if trying to erase something invisible.
“Everyone knows Hannah is your true love,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “You don’t need to pretend We’re divorced, and I don’t care who you’re with”
She kept scrubbing, her movements almost frantic, completely oblivious to the storm brewing in Yancey’s eyes. Suddenly, he grabbed her arm, and before she could react, his fingers cupped her face. In the next instant, his lips brushed hers–a quick, unexpected touch.
Daphne’s heart skipped a beat. They’d been married for three years, but kisses were rare, let alone the ones he started. If he’d kissed her like this in the past, Daphne would’ve been in raptures.
But the old thrill was gone. Instead, she felt a wave of humiliation. She raised her hand and slapped him, her eyes and with tears. “Yancey, you’re
Yancey could have easily dodged the slap, but he stood there, taking it without flinching or getting too angry, his mind still reeling from what he’d Juhi done
He watched as Daphine wiped her mouth furiously with a handkerchief, over and over, like she was trying to erase him from her skin.
The faint warmth of her lips still lingered on his own. Weirdly, it calmed the rage that had been boiling in him ever since he’d seen her laughing with that guy
“Disgusted by my kiss?” he asked, his voice tinged with bittertiens.
Chapter 25
“Of course,” she snorted, her voice cold. “You think you’re something special?”
Yancey was at a loss for words,
“Looks like I’ll need to get my aura cleansed or something,” Daphne muttered, staring at him like he was a stain and shaking water “Just in case that brings me bad luck”
Yancey’s smile widened, but Daphne’s anger flared. She clenched her fists, ready to strike.
Suddenly, the restroom door creaked, and the sound of voices drifted in. Someone was coming.
ter off her hands.
Daphne’s heart pounded in her chest. She listened as the footsteps grew closer, her mind racing
She glanced at Yancey, who shouldn’t have been in the ladies‘ room. “Well, Mr. Goodman, she hissed with a smile, “looks like the whole world’s about to learn how you grace the ladies‘ room.”
Yancey’s lips twitched into a smile. “True, but what if people find out you are with me? We might have some serious explaining to do then”
Daphne’s heart sank–it made sense. She could even picture the rumors flying–they got caught together in the restroom right after their divorce! No matter what they said, it would be impossible to stop the gossip. People were always hungry for scandals, and the truth rarely mattered.
Yancey raised an eyebrow. “May I leave now!”
Daphne grabbed his grm, her eyes flashing with panic and anger. “Hider she hissed.
If anyone walked in now, their relationship would be the talk of the town. They had just managed to divorce and break free from each other; she didn’t want to be linked to Yancey again, especially not in a scandal.
She pushed Yancey into the lau stall, planning to find her own hiding spot. But before she could move, the restroom door swung open, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the room.
There was no time to escape. Daphne quickly retreated, closing the door. She reached for the lock, only to realize in panic that it was broken, the latch dangling uselessly. There was no way to secure the door,
“Great, what a lucky woman, she muttered under her breath.
Every time she crossed paths with Yancey, chaos followed. Hiding in the restroom was humiliating enough–now the door was a ticking time bomb. If someone walked in, they’d be caught like rats in a trap.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Daphne turned to glare at Yancey, mouthing. This is all your fault.”
