Nigel’s POVE
Chapter 8N
“Why did you do it? Why did you keep it from me?” I kept murmuring, as if Rianne could hear me. “You knew I’d never agree to a divorce, so why? You don’t want me anymore, is that it?“>
“Rianne…” My voice cracked filling the hall. “I never stopped loving you! I was wrong! God, I was so wrong…“>
For a moment, the noise died. All the guests fell silent.§
The once–envied golden couple of the elite circle–me and Rianne–had truly fallen apart.”
I could feel their sympathy turning… into disgust–at Luella.}
Some of the executives‘ wives started whispering harshly, glaring daggers at her.
“She’s the mistress, right?”
“She wrecked
their marriage!“}
Luella had never faced a crowd like this before.
I watched her shake, covering her face, limping out of the hall in humiliation.
And then, out of nowhere, someone in the crowd shouted, eyes wide, staring at his phone.
8 5 5 3 2 2 7 FOR
“Holy crap! Hunther Rawlings… He’s getting married today!” That guy shook his head with a smirk on his face. “That cold, no–nonsense CEO every woman dreams of marrying? Damn, who knew he had it in him!”
The name slammed into me like a train.
‘Hunther. Rawlings.
I bolted upright and grabbed the guy by the collar. “Where did you hear that? Tell me!“}
The guy froze, clearly nervous, and just handed me his phone.
It was a wedding video.
The groom–that bastard–stepped out of a black Escalade in a custom tux, his hand wrapped around the bride’s, her veil glittering under the sun like a crown.
Just one glance. That’s all it took. ‘It’s her… My Rianne.’
I reached for the screen, my hand trembling. I wanted to touch her But just then, Joseph burst into the hall.
“Sir! We found Ma’am Rianne! She’s at Tallahassee-”
But I didn’t even wait for him to finish.D
As I stormed out, I gave just one order.
“Get rid of Luella and that kid. Don’t let them dirty Rianne’s eyes.”
Rianne’s POVE
At the hotel, in the bridal suite, Hunther was gently placing the final piece of jewelry on me: a diamond crown.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear, “Ready to marry me, princess?”
His deep voice made my heart skip, dragging me back the past in an instant.
We grew up in the same neighborhood. He always had a cold face and treated everyone the same.
Except for me.}
I was the one he teased, the one he made cry–but also the one he’d carry home on his back, whispering “princess” over and over to calm me down.
When I went to university down south, he joined the army.
We lost contact for four years.
That’s when I met Nigel, fell for him, and loved him.”
After that, Hunther disappeared from my world. It was like he avoided every place Nigel and I might be.
But the night before my wedding, Hunther called. He sounded drunk.., and crying.
“M–My princess, don’t… don’t marry him. Please. I’ve loved you so damn much for years. Goddamn it–I love you. I love you…”
That was the first time I realized just how long he’d been holding it in.)
But I couldn’t answer back. Not then.
Before he hung up, he muttered, “What the hell am I saying… Rianne, congrats on the wedding. Just promise me one thing–If you ever get divorced, call me first. I’ll come running.“>
I looked at him now–my Hunther–nervous and careful in his movements.}}
I smiled and wrapped my arms around him.
“I’ve been ready, my prince.”
Before he knew it, I had already tiptoed up and kissed him.>>
He froze in surprise, stiff for a moment.”
But then, slowly, he cradled my head and deepened the kiss.
Suddenly–the door burst open. Someone stormed between us, ripping us apart.
“Don’t touch her!”
I stumbled backward, nearly falling, but Hunther caught me immediately, checking for injuries.
Thankfully, it was nothing serious.§
Rianne’s POVE
