Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Ex-Wife's Deal with the Devil: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

~Arlo Frantz~It was past midnight.I could not bring myself to walk back inside our room after that night, and by ‘our’ I mean the place where I share with Kerri.Our marital bed.So ever since then, I have been sleeping in my office. “You could just occupy one of the bedrooms, sir,” Pierce said as he stood next to my seat like a gargoyle, unmoving, with his hands neatly placed behind his back.He had a permanent stern look on his face, but I know he is upset that he had to stay up this late with me just to hear about my marriage.But I trust no one else to tell this story except for him.“I am a gentleman, Pierce, but the things I did to her that night…” I clasped my hands tightly, like I was deep in a prayer. “I turned into a wild animal, I had almost completely destroyed her.”Pierce didn’t say anything. He was just breathing heavily, so I continued.“I think she’s rethinking her decision, Pierce. I should have added in the contract that she can’t leave me for at least five years

Blink and the days turned into weeks.My life, ever since I carved in stone that I wanted my revenge against Liam, had been scheduled like I enlisted in the military.It was strict, but fulfilling.Especially with none other than Loretta Sinclair guiding me all the way like the mother I never had.She taught me how to cry like it was a piece of cake, feel and show my emotions better, to walk into any studio as if God himself sent me there.Even when I was with a vocal coach, Loretta was watching from a distance.Then came the etiquette classes. It was not what I was expecting though. I was fully prepared to balance a book on top of my head, but no… what I learned was how to respond to rude reporters, to retort back to interviewers that purposely throw questions that would give them a reaction.I did a lot throughout the day, so as soon as night came, my muscles ached, and my throat was already sore.I was dead tired, but every time I remember Liam’s smirk or the way the world threw di

Arlo was quick to notice the shift in the air as I felt his body go stiff and rigid. He sharply turned towards his phone to see what made my heart drop.The same bold letters were still showing on the screen. The name of a man who’s being hunted by the government for his crimes… the same man who’s messaging Arlo at this hour of the night.My mind reeled back to every odd thing I had been noticing around him. His cryptic phone calls, guards that were equipped to the teeth with guns, the way Arlo is so confident to do anything he wants without thinking about the consequences. It made me think, ‘what if he’s no better than Liam?’ and it filled me with dread.I moved away from Arlo as far as possible until my back was pressed against the shelved walls of his office all the while putting my clothes back on.“Kerri, darling—” His tone was low and measured, but there was a sense of fear in it.“Why is that man texting you?” I asked, burning with curiosity but at the same time scared to kno

I lost count of how many times I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep despite the morning sunlight peeking through Alina’s living room window.Like always, I took over her couch, something I’ve always done ever since my freshmen years.My parents wouldn’t let me back into their home when they found out I was dating Liam back then. With my head held up high, I packed my things and left thinking that Liam would take me, welcome me in his apartment, but he just said that it’s strictly for males only... thinking about it now, he probably lied since he didn’t want me around too much.Even in college, he never spoke to me in public, never told any of our classmates about us, he buried me deep and tucked me away into the shadows while he shone brightly under the spotlight I gave him.Only Alina opened her arms to help me during those difficult times… “I should get her something…” I murmured, staring at the ceiling.Since I married into a rich family, maybe something from the Frantz luxu

If someone told me that I would see Arlo Frantz — the man whose presence makes everyone freeze in either panic or adoration — waltzing in the middle of a busy downtown mall, I wouldn’t believe them. In fact, I would have laughed at their faces.Yet here we are.Inside the tiny mall where Alina and I always go to.Compared to the luxurious shopping malls, this one does not even compare. The paint on the walls was either fading or chipping, some light bulbs above us were already busted or flickering, and some of the stores don’t have any air-conditioning.I know Arlo was wearing something casual and simple, but with his height and face, he sticks out among the crowd like a sore thumb and I worried that people will absolutely lose their minds once they see him walking among them.But…Everyone was going on about their day without making a fuss about Arlo. The crowd was bustling, carrying plastic bags of whatever they bought in the mall.Alina was the one leading us as if she was a tour g