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Chapter Nine

last update publish date: 2026-01-18 19:42:58

The operatives moved forward. Eleanor had no choice but to leave, though she shot one last venomous look at Maddison before disappearing into the elevator.

The silence that followed was deafening.

William stood rigid, staring at the closed elevator doors, his hands clenched into fists.

"William."

"I'm sorry." His voice was rough. "You shouldn't have had to deal with that."

"She's wrong, you know. About you being cold. Incapable of love."

He turned to face her, and the rawness in his expression
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  • Left My Ex, Married The Billionaire CEO    Chapter Thirteen

    They left Grace's house around 10 PM, full of good food and warm family moments. Marcus had offered Lily a ride home, which Grace had approved of far too enthusiastically."Your grandmother is shameless," Maddison said as William's car pulled away from the curb."She really is." But he was smiling. "Thank you for indulging her. I know she can be... a lot.""She loves you. That's not 'a lot.' That's lucky."William glanced at her, something unreadable in his expression. "She told you about my mother.""Some. Grace said she died when you were fifteen. That she was trapped in a marriage she didn't want.""She was." William's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Father was controlling, demanding. He wanted a perfect society wife, and my mother tried to be that for years. But it was killing her. Slowly, bit by bit, until there was nothing left.""What happened?""Cancer. Ovarian. By the time they caught it, it was too late." His voice was carefully neutral. "She died six months after di

  • Left My Ex, Married The Billionaire CEO   Chapter Twelve

    Two hours later, they pulled up to an elegant brownstone in Notch City's historic district. Grace's home was beautiful, classic architecture, and warm lighting."Ready?" William asked, helping her out of the car.Maddison smoothed down her dress, a deep emerald that Claire had insisted was perfect. "Ready as I'll ever be.""Just remember, whatever Grace asks, you're allowed to tell her it's none of her business.""Will that work?""Never has before, but there's always hope."Lily opened the door before they could knock, her face bright with welcome. "You made it! Grace has been cooking all day. I think she's trying to fatten you both up.""She's been trying to fatten me up for fifteen years," William said dryly. "It hasn't worked yet.""Maybe Maddison will have better luck." Lily hugged them both. "Come in, come in. Oh, this is Marcus, Marcus Shen, not Marcus Trent from security. He's a doctor at Notch City General."A handsome man in his late thirties emerged from the living room, of

  • Left My Ex, Married The Billionaire CEO   Capteer Eleven

    "Focus." She tried to remember what Alexis had taught her. "I should drop my weight, create space, strike sensitive areas.""Demonstrate."She tried. Dropped her weight, twisted, and aimed an elbow backward. William moved with her easily, countering, ending up with both her wrists caught in one hand while his other arm banded across her chest."Too slow," he murmured near her ear. "And you're still hesitating. If this were real, if I were actually a threat, you'd be in serious trouble.""Maybe I don't see you as a threat.""You should." But his grip loosened slightly. "Everyone's a potential threat until proven otherwise. That's rule one.""What's rule two?""Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it is." He released her wrists but didn't step back. "Rule three, know your exits. Always have an escape plan.""And rule four?""Fight dirty. There's no honor in being dead."Maddison turned in his arms to face him. They were close, too close for a training session. His dark eyes hel

  • Left My Ex, Married The Billionaire CEO   Chapter Ten

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    The operatives moved forward. Eleanor had no choice but to leave, though she shot one last venomous look at Maddison before disappearing into the elevator.The silence that followed was deafening.William stood rigid, staring at the closed elevator doors, his hands clenched into fists."William.""I'm sorry." His voice was rough. "You shouldn't have had to deal with that.""She's wrong, you know. About you being cold. Incapable of love."He turned to face her, and the rawness in his expression made her heart clench. "Is she? I've spent fifteen years building walls, Maddison. Keeping people out. Using logic and strategy instead of feeling anything real.""That's not true." Maddison moved closer. "You love Grace. You protect people through Black Herd. You married me to save me from Gerald Whitmore even though you had nothing to gain.""I had plenty to gain. My father off my back, control of my own life…""You could have chosen anyone for that. You chose me because you're good, William.

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    The room went silent."You what?" William's voice was dangerously quiet."Jude texted me last night. He wanted to talk. I went." Maddison lifted her chin. "And before you lecture me about safety, I'm fine. It was a public place, broad daylight. He had information I needed.""What information?"She glanced at the others in the room. "Can we discuss this privately?"William nodded curtly to the three guests. "Give us a moment."They filed out, the woman giving Maddison a sympathetic look as she passed.Once they were alone, William turned to her. "Talk."Maddison told him everything, Jude's text, the meeting, the revelation about the kidnapping being a targeted hit. William's expression grew darker with each word."You should have told me," he said when she finished. "Last night. This morning. Before you walked into a meeting with a man who abandoned you to die.""I know. I'm sorry. I thought," She stopped. "I thought I could handle it myself.""Maddison." William's hands clenched at hi

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