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166 Still Getting a Divorce

Author: Anney GW
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-02 17:53:12

(Serena)

“You lit that fuse in me, Serena. That fire made me who I am now. That money came because I finally became someone who could stand on his own—and you were part of that. Now I want to offer you the financial freedom to do that for yourself.”

I shake my head. “You don’t owe me—”

“I know I don’t owe you!” he growls. “That’s the whole fucking point. This isn’t about owing you. This is about honoring you.”

I don’t know what to say to that.

“And by the way,” he adds, voice lower but dangerous now, “a lawyer would’ve gotten you twice that. Maybe more. You can go to court and take half.”

“I never wanted anything from you but love and to be put first.”

“I know. And that’s why you’re the only person I’d ever give something like that to. Because you don’t ask. Because you don’t expect. But you do deserve. And you need to let me help you put yourself first now.”

His chest rises and falls as he steps closer, his words burning with sincerity.

“That’s why I had to do it before you said no.
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  • The Billionaire Married Me, Then Forgot How to Love Me   166 Still Getting a Divorce

    (Serena)“You lit that fuse in me, Serena. That fire made me who I am now. That money came because I finally became someone who could stand on his own—and you were part of that. Now I want to offer you the financial freedom to do that for yourself.”I shake my head. “You don’t owe me—”“I know I don’t owe you!” he growls. “That’s the whole fucking point. This isn’t about owing you. This is about honoring you.”I don’t know what to say to that.“And by the way,” he adds, voice lower but dangerous now, “a lawyer would’ve gotten you twice that. Maybe more. You can go to court and take half.”“I never wanted anything from you but love and to be put first.”“I know. And that’s why you’re the only person I’d ever give something like that to. Because you don’t ask. Because you don’t expect. But you do deserve. And you need to let me help you put yourself first now.”His chest rises and falls as he steps closer, his words burning with sincerity.“That’s why I had to do it before you said no.

  • The Billionaire Married Me, Then Forgot How to Love Me   165 Face to Face

    (Serena)I don’t sleep.I pack. I book an overnight flight. I go.By the time I touch down in Geneva, it’s late afternoon.The clouds hang low over the city, threatening rain.I check into a boutique hotel—quiet, tasteful. I’ve never been here before. Never been anywhere really international until our honeymoon.I wince at the memory. Everything I thought was amazing turned to dust knowing he and Savannah had their first time together there.God this marriage is so fucking messed up.I need to talk to James face to face.Then I will know if he is sincere or maybe he is just done with me. Either way I move forward.I try him again from the car, then from the hotel room.Voicemail.So I message Theo:I’m in Geneva. Hotel Vailon. Two nights. He either comes to me or I will find him.I pace the floor, watching the dark settle in over the lake, lights flickering to life like stars reflected in water.Theo sends back a thumbs up.No idea what that means but I’m starving so I call reception

  • The Billionaire Married Me, Then Forgot How to Love Me   164 Shaken Not Stirred

    (Serena)“Wait—” Haylee stares at me, glass frozen halfway to her lips. “He offered you how much?”I take a sip of my cocktail and give her a small, helpless shrug. “One billion. From his private holdings. Not Hale Enterprises. Not the family estate. Just… James’s personal wealth.”Her jaw drops open. “Holy fuck! I—Serena, that’s not a settlement. That’s an empire.”“I know. It’s a ridiculous amount I can’t even get my head around.”“That’s private island, gold bathtub, I-wipe-my-tears-with-Versace kind of money.”I smile despite myself.Haylee’s in oversized sweatpants and a crop top, hair piled on her head like a pineapple, legs tucked under her on the couch.Her eyes are wide and there’s none of the weird awkward vibe I felt the last time we spoke.Must have been the hangover.“You could do anything,” she says, eyes sparkling. “Anything you’ve ever dreamed. Open ten bakeries. Fund women’s shelters. Travel the world. Sponsor yourself a Formula 1 team. Hell, buy the team.”I laugh. “

  • The Billionaire Married Me, Then Forgot How to Love Me   163 One Billion Strings

    (Serena)The law office is quiet.Neutral-toned furniture. Tempered glass doors.Everything meant to soothe you into forgetting you’re here to take apart something that once meant everything.I sit at the long conference table with my hands folded in my lap, trying to ignore the slow clench of anxiety in my stomach.Timothy, my lawyer, has papers spread neatly before him. His assistant pours water into glass tumblers. The seat across from me remains empty.“James isn’t coming?” I ask.“No,” Timothy says, adjusting his glasses. “He’s still in Geneva. But he’s sent his lead counsel, Eva Collins, to handle this preliminary meeting.”I nod once. Of course. Efficient. Distant. Predictable.The door opens, and Eva walks in and smiles at me. Tall. Crisp navy suit.Blonde hair pinned into a sleek chignon. She nods politely to Timothy, then takes her seat.“Thank you for coming, Ms. Langley,” she says. “Mr. Hale regrets not being here in person, but he wanted to begin the process as soon as po

  • The Billionaire Married Me, Then Forgot How to Love Me   162 Prepare Yourself

    (Serena)The next day, I get a call.It's early. The phone vibrates across the counter just as I’m checking the new staff schedule and finalizing supply numbers for both stores at my bakery office.I glance at the screen.Timothy Barnes. My lawyer.Ah, makes sense. Must be about the property. He’s been doing due diligence for me. Pending a proper clean-up from our little sprinkler disaster… I could move into the show home tomorrow.I swipe to answer. “Serena Langley.”“Ms. Langley, good morning.” His voice is even. “I’m calling regarding the Hale divorce proceedings.”I stop breathing.“Divorce proceedings?” I repeat. “But I thought you were calling about the property.”There’s a pause. “That’s not the purpose of this call, no. This is about your marriage dissolution. Were you aware?”“We’d… discussed it,” I manage. “But I didn’t expect him to move so fast.”Apparently, James Hale is a man of his word—especially when it’s about setting me free.“If it’s too sudden,” Timothy offers, “

  • The Billionaire Married Me, Then Forgot How to Love Me   161 Running from The Past

    (Serena)Ronan and I are both dried and in fresh clothes.We’ve called in take out.We take a walk around the property while waiting for delivery. He’s showing me the huge blocks I could buy and build on.“He doesn’t know any of that?” Ronan asks gently.“No. James has never known any of that.”“I’m not judging you,” he says. “But if James doesn’t know that part of you, the part that had to make that choice, carry it, and survive it… then he doesn’t really know you. Not all of you.”My stomach flips. Because it’s true. James knows the curated version.The woman with the big laugh and quick answers. He knows I get anxious in elevators and I eat chocolate frosting out of the tub at midnight when I can’t sleep—but he doesn’t know this.The part of me I’ve never let surface.“I didn’t think he needed to know,” I say. “I wanted to believe he and I could make it.”“That’s a lot of pressure you put on yourself and then the added pressure from the Hale faction. Did you ever stand a chance?”“

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