Chapter 10
When my move, she’d always nag me to stop staying cooped up at the Langley estate. She kept telling me to get out, to see
the world
But Travis was always busy.
And I…I couldn’t bear to leave him. Or my mother.
In the years I spent trying to be Mrs. Langley, I gave up on my dreams one by one, until there was nothing left of the girl I used to be.
Yet somehow, Julian still remembered the little wishes I once whispered as a child.
Something in my chest stirred–something I thought had died a long time ago.
I reached for his hand and held it tight. “Thank you”
“For being someone I can lean on
Julian brushed a hand over my hair. “I made you a promise a long time ago. I’m sorry it took me so long to come through.”
What I didn’t expect was Travis following us across the globe on our honeymoon.
Every time we returned to the hotel, he’d be waiting at the entrance–with a bouquet of trimmed roses in hand, the stamens clipped away, and some ridiculous imported gift.
Every time he saw me, his eyes would turn red.
is wrong. Please… come back to me.
“Elise, I was
“These past works without you have l
you have been hell. I missed you so much.”
“I swear I’ll never hurt you again. I sent them away–those women. I chased them out of my life. I can‘
I can’t live without you, Elise!”
I laughed coldly and walked up to him, whispering near his ear, “Do you know what my mom said to me before she died?”
“She said she didn’t want to be a burden anymore. She said I should leave you–and find my own happiness.”
“Travis, the moment you fell for those two golden girls, I stopped loving you.”
“I only stayed with you for her. To keep her alive.”
“You killed her. You pushed me away with your own hands.”
“You destroyed everything I cared about–my room, my baby, my rabbit. Everythlog All because of those two You really think I’d ever come back to you ?**
Travis went pale. He shook his head over and over” “No I never meant for mom to die
Tears blurted my vision as I screamed at him, “Don’t you dare call her Mom!”
lup
1 yanked up my sleeve, showing lam the raw, jagged scar still marring my arm.
she knew I married sqmeone who nearly burned me to death, she’d haunt
I you i
Travis averted his gaze, unable to look at the scar. He stumbled back like he’d been punched. “I am sorry! I told the guards to get your out! I didn’t know you’d get hurt!”
I santrked “Travis, “sorry” doesn’t Is what you did And I’m going to make sure you pay the wound at a time.”
After that day, Travis never tried speaking to me again. He just followed silently belund Julian and me.
Sometimes Julian lost his patience and had his bodyguards rough Travis up.
But he didn’t fight back–just stood there like he was made of stone and took every hit
R
ReelShort
And when it was over, he’d stumble to me, blood on his lip, whispering. “Elise. does this at least make you feel better?”
I’d pull Julian closer and walk away without a word.
When the honeymoon ended, I stepped into my new role–Director of Marketing at Hart Enterprises.
There was no deeper strategy. No grand ambition.
I just wanted to destroy Travis Langley’s empire, piece by piece.
Every time Langley Corp. launched a new project, I cut in first.
Within three months, I’d stolen dozens of contracts from them.
Meanwhile, Travis was too busy being dragged down by the chaos those twin parasites left behind. He couldn’t focus on the business at all
Langley Corp’s finances spiraled into a nosedive.
Eventually, his parents–the oh–so–proud Mr. and Mrs. Langley–came crawling to my office at Hart Enterprises.
The same couple who once looked down on me like I was dirt were now bending so low they nearly kissed the floor.
all.”
“Elise, we used to be family, after all.”
“Travis… he just made a mistake. A mistake all men make. But he’s always loved you. Please, could you spare Langley Corp, any further losses
D
