Chapter 21
Gemma
&
Lucky Draw
This is not the place to get into an argument with Cassian, but
he’s making it extremely difficult.
I look over, expecting to find Donovan glaring at us suspiciously. Instead, his eyes twinkle.
He waves a hand at me when I open my mouth to speak and explain why Cassian and I are whisper–yelling at each other.
“Don’t worry, all married couples have their little secrets. It makes my heart glad to see the way you two confide in each other.”
I feel a hollow guilt, knowing that he’s misjudged what he’s seeing so badly, but Cassian just chuckles and says, “That’s good, Grandpa, because I certainly couldn’t repeat what Gemma just
said to me out loud.”
Heat floods my cheeks and I glare daggers at him as everyone
else around the table also chuckles indulgently.
Bastard.
“Gemma, have you tried the potion I brought you?” Donovan asks.
“Do you think it will work?”
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Lucky Draw
I freeze. I threw that potion into a corner in my room at Zina’s place and totally forgot it existed.
“Um…”
“It’s only been a day,” Cassian chides his grandfather. “It can’t possibly be working yet.”
I relax unexpectedly. In all these years, Cassian has never spoken
up for me.
Of course, he’s doing it now, when I all I really want him to do is sign the divorce papers.
Though…I can’t help but feel some warmth that Cassian finally
seems to be here, showing up for me, defending me.
In three years of marriage, it’s all I wanted.
But now it’s too little, too late. I told him we’re over. That’s the only
reason he wants me now, because I told him he can’t have me.
“Forgive an impatient old man,” says Donovan. “But do keep taking it, Gemma. Even aside from pregnancy, it’s good for your health.”
“Of course, Grandpa,” I say.
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Chapter 21
Lucky Draw
I feel like I’m dying inside. I hate lying to Grandpa Donovan even more than I hate the evil looks Cassian’s four aunts keep shooting
- me.
Most of all, I hate sitting this close to Cassian, feeling his knee press against mine under the table.
I hate him heaping food on my plate, and speaking to me, and pretending to care about me when he doesn’t.
It just hurts.
We’re all eating in silence when Adrian walks in.
He’s tall and handsome and just five years older than Cassian, and he exudes the kind of magnetic, mature charm some men
grow into.
He grins at everyone and stoops to kiss his grandfather on the
cheek.
“Sorry I’m late,” he says. He takes off his coat and hands it off to a servant before sitting down in the only seat left at the table as if
he’s exhausted.
It’s the seat across from me.
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Lucky Draw
“It’s all right, Adrian,” Cassian says sarcastically. “Everyone else here who runs international enterprises still managed to make it on time, but you are incredibly busy.”
Adrian’s businesses are nothing compared to the size and scope of the empire Cassian runs, and they don’t take a sliver of the same ruthlessness or intelligence. Everyone here knows it.
However, Adrian doesn’t snap back at Cassian. He doesn’t even
look upset.
He heaps food onto his plate and nods seriously, like he and
Cassian are just talking shop and aren’t at all hostile to each other.
“I am, especially these past few days. We rooted out a mole at
Nautilus, which took quite a bit of effort and string–pulling on my
part, to find someone with the programming skills to do it.”
His eyes flash to Cassian’s, and I know that he also suspects Cassian is the one who put a spy in his company in the first place.
Cassian just lifts an impassive eyebrow. “It sounds like your programmer did the work, not you.”
Before Adrian can retort, Cassian sets down his fork and rises,
then holds a hand out to me. “We’re finished. It’s time for us to go home, Grandpa.”
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Lucky Draw
Donovan frowns and looks down at his gold watch. “It’s early.”
Cassian takes my hand and places it on his arm, ready to escort
me from the room. “Well, we need to see if that new potion you
got works, don’t we?”
Heat floods my cheeks as his family members snicker behind their hands, but Donovan laughs warmly. “Of course. Such a beautiful
wife, I don’t blame you. Be careful on the roads as you go.”
We both nod our heads deeply to the old Alpha and leave.
As soon as we’re out of the house, I yank my hand out of Cassian’s. He looks at me impatiently.
“What are you doing?”
“I don’t want to hold your hand! And don’t imply that you’re going
to have sex with me when you won’t. We’re getting divorced!”
He steps close to me and takes my hand again, pulling me forcefully toward him and lowering his face to mine like he’s about
to kiss me.
My heart beats wildly, but he just hisses, “Be quiet, wife, we’re still
close enough for other people to overhear.”
“Do you really think it’s your duty to stay married to a woman you.
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Chapter 21
don’t love?”
Lucky Draw
“My grandfather does, and that’s all that matters. You haven’t
convinced me otherwise yet.”
But he still lets me go as we wait for a servant to bring the car
around.
As we’re standing there waiting, he says, “I heard the way my aunts speak to you. I should have believed you before.”
I’m completely stunned by his words. I don’t know what to say,
and before I can speak, he continues.
“I won’t let them speak to you that way moving forward.”
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