All Chapters of Ten Strikes and You're Out: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

I unpinned the groom's boutonniere and pushed the door open.The two people locked in a heated kiss on the bed jumped in shock and sprang apart in panic.The moment she saw the look on my face, Tracie Conner hurriedly wiped the smear of saliva from her lips, guilt flashing across her face."You're back, honey. Have all the guests left?"She forced a laugh. "Don't get the wrong idea. Elton and I were just playing Truth or Dare to kill some time while you were gone. If you don't believe me, ask Erica."She nudged her best friend, Erica Frey, who stiffly turned around and flashed me an awkward smile. "Don't misunderstand, Jonas Sawyer. I was the one who suggested the game."A game? A game that involved putting on a live show on our bed while Erica watched?"Sounds like quite a game. Why stop? We can stay and watch."My expression darkened, and Tracie secretly pinched Erica, who looked like she'd been trying to slip away. Her face flushed red as she said, "Look, Jonas. Here's wha

Chapter 2

I kept my voice calm, but a sharp pain tore through my chest, as if something inside me had been ripped apart. It was almost suffocating.Tracie let out a mocking snort. She rummaged through her drawer for a set of divorce papers prepared in advance and signed her name without hesitation."Aren't you tired of playing the separation card yet? Fine, I'll play along, but you'd better not regret this. I won't soften up, no matter how much you beg later."She kept her chin high, absolutely certain that I'd never go through with it. She believed that I was fully within her grasp and convinced that, for the sake of our years together and my financial situation, I'd never leave.I lowered my gaze, took the pen, and signed my name."I won't regret this, Tracie Conner."Deep down, I swore that I was never coming back.With that, I turned and walked out of our bridal suite. It was starting to drizzle outside, soaking through my tuxedo jacket. People on the streets pointed and whispered

Chapter 3

Tracie and Elton stood at the doorway like a picture-perfect couple, smiling as they waited for me to enter.When I turned to leave, Morgan stopped me. "Stay for dinner, Jonas. Caitlin was just telling me how much she misses you and your mother."I could hear the unmistakable threat in his voice. I froze and looked at them in disbelief.Morgan ushered me to a seat, smiling like a wolf in sheep's clothing. "Tracie is at fault for what happened at the bridal suite, but I heard you've slapped Elton, so let's just call it even."A divorce isn't just about you, Jonas. The Conners have a reputation to uphold, and you can't afford to be this reckless, especially considering your mother's health. If you hate that villa so much, I can buy a new home for the two of you."As for Tracie and Elton, they grew up together. It's only natural for them to have such feelings. You can't be too demanding, and it's not like you caught them in the act. A man should learn to be content with what he has,

Chapter 4

After the dinner, Tracie placed me under surveillance. She immediately had Mom moved somewhere else, claiming to protect her in case someone sought revenge. They refused to let me see her or tell me where she was. The only updates I received were the occasional photos and videos Tracie sent of Mom looking well, provided when Tracie's frequent public appearances with Elton started fueling rumors.My job was to play her good husband.That only made Elton bolder. He frequently started mocking me in our social circles, calling me a "trophy husband" and a spineless puppet.He bragged that the Conners had only allowed a broke loser like me to marry into the family because I was soft and had nothing but a sick mother they could easily use against me. Late at night, he'd flood my phone with suggestive photos of hickeys covering his chest or Tracie lying exhausted in his arms."Jonas, Tracie won't leave me alone. She says even the thought of you touching her makes her skin crawl. It's s

Chapter 5

"What did you say? You can't stop her medication! Please!"I lunged at Tracie like a madman and banged my head against the floor until my forehead started bleeding. When she remained unmoved, I crawled over to Elton and slammed my head against the floor, over and over again."It's my fault! I did it. I'll apologize however you want, as long as you don't stop my mom's medications. She'll die!"Knowing that Mom would actually die, I knew that I now had nothing left to lose."You should've done that from the start," Tracie said coolly. She fished out her phone from her pocket and kindly held it to my face. The security footage showed Mom thrashing in agony on her hospital bed. Her face was twisted in pain, her fingers digging into her palms, her body covered in scratches she had inflicted on herself. She was critically ill. The medication was the only thing keeping her alive. Stopping the medication meant she would have to suffer constant pain until she died.I collapsed onto t

Chapter 6

When Tracie was informed, I'd vanished without a trace from the nursing home.She called me in a fit of rage, but no matter how many times she dialed my number, the call never went through.She was certain that this was just another one of my tantrums, but I was taking it too far this time, and it irritated her.So, she didn't even bother looking for me. She was convinced that a broke loser with a dying mom like me could never escape. Eventually, I'd come crawling back to beg for her forgiveness. She just had to wait for that day.When three days passed, a hollow, uncomfortable ache began to settle in her chest, as if I might really be gone for good.The scent of my crisp cedarwood laundry detergent still lingered in our bedroom, and our matching toothbrushes still sat side by side on the sink. My suits were neatly ironed, and the pearl cufflinks she'd gifted me on a whim gleamed in the light.There was even a half-empty glass of lukewarm milk on the nightstand, but the man who

Chapter 7

After that night, Elton changed.He stopped pushing Tracie to acknowledge their relationship. Instead, he became increasingly attentive. He even took the initiative to say, "I know you're still thinking about Jonas, so I won't force you. We'll talk when you've cleared your head."Every day, he brought her dinner, all of which were her favorite dishes. He'd even prepared warm red wine and claimed it'd help her sleep and relax.Though Tracie loathed him, she let her guard down and occasionally had a glass or two.One night, Elton's wine was exceptionally full-bodied. After just two glasses, her head began to swim, her limbs felt heavy and weak, and her consciousness started to blur.She tried to steady herself to head to the bedroom, but Elton suddenly pulled her into his arms.His eyes burned with greed, and his voice was laced with the smugness of a victor. "Don't blame me, Tracie. I just love you too much."Once you carry my child, it doesn't matter if Jonas comes back becaus

Chapter 8

Tracie collapsed to the floor.That was when she finally understood that I was never some broke loser; I'd simply hidden my sharp edge for her.My patience wasn't a weakness. It was the protective love of a man who cherished her, and she'd trampled all over it."I'm going to find him," Tracie declared. Her hands trembled as she booked the earliest flight possible.Morgan gave a wave of his hand, and Elton was dragged into the living room from outside the door. He was covered in blood, and his forehead was a bruised, purplish mess."If you're going to him, make it sincere."He had his men take a photo of Elton's miserable state.Elton began to wail with terror. "I'm sorry, Tracie! Please save me!"Morgan let out a chilling laugh and signaled the bodyguards. Then, a baseball bat hit the ground with a dull, threatening thud."Talk!"Shaking violently in fear, Elton dropped to his knees and banged his head on the floor. "I'm sorry, Tracie. I shouldn't have driven a wedge between

Chapter 9

On the other side of the ocean, Mom and I finally landed.Uncle Hubert smiled as he handed me a glass of warm water. "Stop worrying, Jonas. I've already sent your mom in for a full check-up. "It's good to have you back. Now that you're here, nothing else matters."My fingertips were cold, but my mind had never been clearer. I'd never told Tracie that my uncle, Hubert, was a trade tycoon whose influence spanned across Araleth and Eadenport.Years ago, when Dad first cheated on Mom, it was Uncle Hubert who left for Eadenport to build an empire to protect us. FAnd for the sake of repaying what I thought was kindness, I handed Mom over to the Conners and turned her into leverage they could use against me.I thought I could win them over with sincerity. It took Tracie threatening Mom's life for the tenth time for me to finally wake up and realize that some people stayed cold no matter how much I tried to warm them.A few hours later, Mom completed all her medical tests. When I pu

Chapter 10

The sky over Silvaden was crystal clear on the morning of the wedding. The church was overflowing with tulips and lilies. I stood at the end of the red carpet and watched Hallie walk toward me in her white gown, her eyes shimmering with hope and anticipation.Just as the ceremony was about to begin, the heavy doors of the church were thrown open.Tracie burst in, gasping for breath. Her red dress was a mess, her eyes were swollen, and she looked utterly bedraggled.She stumbled toward me and called out in a hoarse voice, "Jonas, I've been looking everywhere for you! Why did you leave without a word?"I'm sorry, Jonas. Elton is a monster. He lied to me, manipulated me, and even drugged my wine. I shouldn't have trusted him and betrayed you!"As I watched her unravel and listened to her ramble incoherently, I couldn't feel a thing. There was just a deep, hollow numbness. "We're divorced, Tracie. Your life is no longer my concern.""Divorced? You're just throwing a tantrum, aren

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