Chapter 36
Winter froze for a split second as she stared at the divorce agreement torn in half. Then her expression settled, calm and resolute.
She slipped the pen back into her bag.
“That’s fine,” she said evenly. “I’ll have another copy couriered to your office tomorrow morning. Please keep an eye out for it p>
With that, her hand closed around the door handle as she moved to get out.
Chris leaned back lazily against the seat. From the moment he had taken the agreement to the moment he tore it up, his eyes had never left her face.
He lifted his gaze slightly. Gavin in the driver’s seat met his eyes in the rearview mirror and understood at once. The central lock clicked down.
The door locked.
Winter’s hand remained on the handle. Her patience snapped. “Unlock it p>
She wasn’t shouting at Gavin. He was loyal to Chris to a fault. As long as Chris didn’t give the word, Gavin would keep the doors locked all night.
She spun around, glaring icily at Chris.
But in the next second, Chris reached out, hooking a hand around the back of her neck and hauling her toward him.
The sudden proximity brought the scent of cedar and tobacco swirling around her. She pushed against him with all her might, desperate to escape the scent she once craved. But she couldn’t budge him. The harder she fought, the tighter he pulled her into his embrace.
Giving up on pushing, she dropped her bag and grabbed his forearms, baring her teeth to bite down.
Chris anticipated the move. He pinned her wrists together, forcing her arms back against the headrest. Winter was pinned firmly between the seat and his chest, unable to move an inch.
“Chris Xander, are you even a man?” she shouted, her eyes red with fury. “If you’ve got any spine, just sign the divorce papers and be done with it p>
“A divorce?” His voice was cool, dangerously close. “You call this a fair deal? You walk away free, get the house, and lose nothing. You really think the world works like that p>
The meaning was unmistakable.
“You want me to leave with nothing?” Her heart sank.
She had only wanted that house. Nothing more.
His fingers tightened around her wrist, firm enough to leave marks when she struggled.
He leaned closer, his voice low. “If you don’t want to leave empty–handed, then don’t let me hear those words again p>
“Which words?” she shot back. “Divorce? If you don’t want to hear it, I’ll say it even louder. Divorce. Divorce. Chris, let’s get a divorce p>
+25 Bonus
Her hair was still tousled from the chaos earlier. Heat had flushed her cheeks, and loose strands clung to her face. Her eyes burned with defiance, resentment, and resolve.
Chris narrowed his eyes. He tightened his grip on her wrists and suddenly lunged
forward.
“Don’t touch me,” she fought frantically, but she couldn’t dodge his kiss.
Chris forced her mouth open, kissing her with brutal possession. The more she struggled, the deeper he kissed her.
His fingers traced the back of her neck, then gripped tight, forcing her to angle her face toward his. His bridge pressed against her nose as he kissed her, eyes half–open, watching the reddened corners of her eyes.
+25 Bonus
JK
Winter didn’t know how Chris had found out the passcode to the apartment in Westbay. If he wanted something, he always had his ways.
He ignored her wishes completely. He had someone bring all her belongings back, making her attempt to leave look like a joke.
Without hesitation, she strode toward Gavin and reached for the suitcase.
“Give it to me p>
But without Chris’s order, Gavin would never hand it over.
He held onto the handle firmly. Just as Winter’s fingers were about to touch the suitcase, he flicked his wrist, sending the suitcase gliding across the floor, right past her.
“Sorry, ma’am p>
Winter grabbed at empty air.
When she turned around, the suitcase was already sliding away from her and toward Chris. He caught the handle with his fingers, pulling it behind him with a casual flick.
Two men, both nearly six–foot–three, were treating her like she was part of a game.
The scene might have looked almost ridiculous, but Winter was shaking with rage. She clenched her teeth to stop herself from losing control.
After taking a deep breath, she said indifferently, “It’s nothing valuable. I don’t need it p>
She turned and walked toward the door.
Chris’s gaze passed over her thin frame as he lifted his eyes and gave Gavin a look.
The next second, the bedroom door shut right in front of her.
Winter immediately grabbed the handle and twisted it. It didn’t move.
The door had clearly been locked from the outside.
Her grip tightened until red marks pressed into her palm. Her eyes burned with anger. “Chris, you’ve gone far p>
Chris took slow, steady steps toward her. He raised two fingers and loosened his tie, letting out a faint scoff. Weren’t you the one causing trouble first p>
“We’re getting divorced. Moving out is my right. What gives you the right to stop me?” she demanded.
He let out a low laugh.
As he moved closer, she felt like she couldn’t breathe. She turned and looked toward the open window in the master bedroom. It was the second floor. There were bushes below. Without thinking, she rushed toward it.
She couldn’t stand being in the same room with him.
THE
Every time she thought about how well he treated Skyla, it felt like her heart was being torn apart.
Every second felt like a knife carving into her.
too
+25 Bonus
What gave him the right to trample on her feelings like this?
His tie slipped into his palm as he strode forward. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back against his chest.
Chris’s expression darkened. “Did I ever agree to let you move out p>
His domineering tone made her throat tighten. “We’re getting divorced. Give me back the house in Westbury. You can bring Skyla here and live happily ever after. Everybody wins p>
Chris gripped her chin. “Winter, even acting out has its limits. I told you I don’t want to hear that again. Stay in your place as Mrs. Xander p>
“Mrs. Xander?” She let out a bitter laugh as tears streamed down her face. “Have you ever acknowledged that title? When Jacob had people beat me? When you let Skyla move into my home? This so–called Mrs. Xander was nothing but a joke p>
That night at Jacob’s birthday party, so many people saw it with their own eyes. They saw how Chris openly protected Skyla and Jacob.
Skyla was his ex–girlfriend. But what the hell was Jacob to him?
The hand gripping her wrist stiffened for a split second.
Winter seized the chance and tried to pull free. But the moment she struggled, Chris pinned both her hands against the door.
“Chris, you coward! Haven’t you wanted to divorce me for a long time p>
She fought with all her strength. Her shoulder hit the light switch. With a sharp click, the bedroom lights went out.
The room fell into darkness. Only a thin strip of light spilled from the bathroom, stretching across the floor but leaving the corner by the door in shadow.
“Mmph p>
His tie was wrapped tightly around Winter’s wrists, the other end clenched firmly in Chris’s hand.
+25 Bonus
Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.