Enemies to Partners

Astra's POV

"Astra is a lovely name," Roman said, hands in his pockets. "I would never have guessed I'd be calling my mother-in-law that."

"What are you doing here?" I hissed.

"Should I be asking you that?!" His eyebrow furrowed. His eye blazed into mine.

"I have nothing to say to you," I made to leave, but he stood in the way.

Silence settled between us like a wet shroud. 

"I need to go."

"Where? To be with your aging husband?"

"Oh, shut up, Roman." I shot him a glare. "You left me!"

"And you married that old skunk?!"

"Well, look who's marrying the old skunk's daughter."

He groaned frustratedly. "I'm not even here because I want to marry her. I'm here because I don't!"

What does that even mean?

"You're not here to call off the engagement, are you?"

"How can I call something off that I didn't consent to in the first place. The Damaris…your old skunk of a husband basically shoved this offer down my throat."

I scoffed impatiently. "Lucien can't shove anything down your throat, Roman. Everyone knows how powerful you are. People like you can wiggle your way out of anything because you have the money." I tried to leave, but he grabbed my arms.

My eyes trailed his veiny hand locked on my arm. It was just as he grabbed me that night at the motel. He grabbed me so tenderly and firmly, he didn't let me go all night long. Shit! I'm slipping again. I shook his grip off. 

"You don't understand, Astra. This is beyond money!" His eyes pleaded. 

He seemed distressed. That's strange.

"Lucien and my father built the Lotus-tale park together. My father trusted Lucien with all his heart and made him whip up a contract to bind them both to this park. Now that my father is dead, Lucien has been manipulating the terms of the contract, making working conditions hard for the workers of the pack. He's destroying the park! The only way I can stop him from doing further damage in the contact is to marry Cherry."

My eyes studied his eyes, blazing with sincerity. This must be pretty serious for him. "Why is the park so important to you?"

Roman stood back, his gaze settled, his eyes sad yet determined. "I will trade all of my ten billionaire businesses worldwide to save that little park, Astra. It's that important to me!"

I sighed as I looked away.

"None of this matters to me anymore. We are getting a divorce anyway." I made to leave, but Roman quickly grabbed my arms again, his eyes serious. This time, I didn't resist

"You're getting a divorce?"

"Yes. Lucien is kicking me out of his life." I sigh, trying to fight the tears in my eyes. "It's only a matter of days before I'll be thrown out into the street with nothing."

"With nothing?" His grip tightened on me. I could tell he was upset. Why does he care? "Surely you should have some compensation of some sort, considering the fact that your skunk of a husband cheats on you."

"I can't get anything because I went into the marriage blinded by love!" I lashed. The silence resumed between us. A tear rolled down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it off, hoping he didn't see it. He did. His gaze softened on me. 

I don't want him to look at me that way. I don't want his sympathy, not after he left me. 

I looked up at him, my eyes fierce and defiant. "The only way the prenup can be annulled is if I have a child for him or concrete evidence of him cheating on me. I have none of those."

"Then I'll get it for you," Roman said casually, like he was ordering takeout.

"What?"

"I'll get you all the evidence you need to put the old skunk in his place." Roman shook his shoulders like that would be absolutely no effort on his side.

"Look," Roman leaned in so close I felt my back pressed against the wall while he placed his hands on the wall I leaned on, close to me, so close I felt his breath on my face. "We might hate each other right now, but we do have similar interests. We are both desperate to get back at the Damaris. Could it be that hard for us to put away our differences and just work together to kick these arrogant lots in the ass?"

I looked up at him, my breath heavy, my lip ajar. "You think I can help you stop Lucien from destroying Lotus-tale's park?" 

Roman nodded, his eyes on my lips.

"How?"

His other hand curved around my waist, pulling me close. 

"It's a simple plan…"

His eyes were still on my lips, and the air between us was humid and breathy. I feel his soft, minty breath in mine. My hands pressed against the wall, fighting the urge not to pull away, until…

"Roman!" 

We froze.

That's Cherry's voice.

Shit!