All Chapters of Even If It Hurts, Daddy: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Giselle adjusted the straps of her red lace lingerie while she stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked at the red rose petals scattered across the hotel bed and tried to breathe. She was nervous as fuck, her heart felt like it was going to explored against her ribs. For a moment, she could swear she didn’t recognize the woman in the mirror. The make up on her face could not hide the awfully glaring truth, that she was visibly tired. Burn out to say the least. About a week ago, her husband, Chase had sat her down and calmly suggested an open marriage. He told her that he loved her, but he needed to “explore” and that he was tired of eating from just one pot in his own words. He said it as though it was the only way to keep their spark alive. But she knew she was losing her man, the only logical thing she could do at that moment was refuse immediately. She told him through tears that she could not afford to share him with another woman or live with the thoughts of him in b

Giselle slammed her third glass on the bar top after her last gulp. The sting in her throat burned terribly. To her left, Serayah rubbed her back in slow, soothing circles. To her right, Lawrose was checking his reflection in the back of a stainless steel ice spoon while sipping his drink amid the low buzz of chatter. "Another round," Giselle muttered, waving the bartender over. Her eyes glistened from the tonics. Lawrose leaned back, smirking. "You know, I can't be the only one happy about this. Giselle's marriage crashing and burning? Finally. Cheers to your freedom." Serayah glared. "Law, that's fucked up. She's in pain." Giselle snatched the fresh drink, gulping half down. She forced a laugh, but it cracked half way. "Nah, he's spot on. If I'd listened to him back then, I wouldn't be drowning my broken heart right now." Lawrose set the spoon down and turned to her with a wide, bright smile. "And that is exactly why I am the happiest person in this room tonight. Honestly, Gise

The drive to the Hemingway estate felt like a march to the gallows, like she was headed to her own eternal damnation. Giselle gripped the steering wheel so hard her knuckles turned white. For three days, she had stayed perching on Serayah’s couch, staring at the ceiling and replaying a spontaneous loop with the handsome stranger in her head. The way his hands felt on her while he fucked her. The way he had looked at her like she was the only woman in the world, right before he took her to his slaughter bed. She felt a wave of nausea. She had wanted to hurt Chase, but now she just felt stained. She didn't know how she was going to look him in the eye without flinching. “I should have brought Lawrose”, she thought as she pulled into the circular driveway. “Or Serayah. Anyone to help me pack and leave this hell hole quietly” The house was quiet. Too quiet. She let herself in with her key, thankfully the locks had not been changed, she would have to leave the key with their maid,

The kitchen was the only room in the Hemingway mansion that felt warm, it had been Giselle’s safe haven since the whole drama with Chase started. It was the only place she went to clear her head, embarking on one spontaneous culinary adventures or the other. Amelia was busy at the gas cooker, the clatter of pans echoing against the tiles."Amelia, let me help you with that," Giselle said, stepping into the light of the kitchen.The maid looked up, startled. "Oh, no, Mrs. Hemingway. I can manage. You should be resting after... well, after everything.""I can't rest," Giselle insisted, reaching for a floral apron hanging by the pantry. She tied it tightly around her waist. "Until the divorce is final, I am still Chase’s wife. I want to make him dinner. It’s the least I can do to keep some sense of normalcy around here you know ."Amelia sighed, relenting. "If you’re sure, ma’am.""I’m sure. What did he request for dinner today?""His evening usual. Seared sea bass with asparagus. Hone

"Dad? Are you even listening to me?" Chase’s voice drifted down, sounding annoyed. "I’m talking about the future of the company here!" Richard didn't break eye contact with her. He squeezed her hand once with a firm, possessive pressure before finally pulling back. He could not explain what drew him to her, and he wasn’t fighting it either. "I’m listening, Chase!" Richard called out, his voice perfectly steady as he stood up. He offered a hand to Giselle, pulling her to her feet with an effortless pull. "I was just helping your wife save the rug. You should be more concerned about your clumsiness in the boardroom than a little spilled Cabernet." Giselle stood there, her legs feeling jelly like. She clutched the stained napkin like a lifeline. "I... I’m going to go get some soda water from the sideboard," she stammered. "To make sure it doesn't set." She hurried toward the sideboard at the far end of the room, her back to them. She leaned her forehead against the cool wood,