Chapter 9
Dolores grumbled to herself. Only a complete idiot would stick around waiting for Adam: But she hadn’t expected him to turn up so quickly. No sooner had she stepped out of the store than his towering figure loomed right before her eyes.
Adam was clad in a sharp black shirt tailored to perfection, matched with crisply pressed suit pants, looking distractingly handsome. He exuded an effortless aristocratic air mixed with a dash of arrogance, making it impossible to overlook him in a crowd.
Next to him. Ben matched his stride, their combined presence casting an undeniable aura of dominance,
Good looks, charm, and filthy
at his age… if one ignores the asshole part, Adam’s a total dreamboat, she thought.
Dolores fraze momentarily as Adam approached her, his expression knotted with clear irritation. James told me you didn’t come home last night?”
he said
“Didn’t Jarnes give you my message! I didn’t come back last night, and guess what? I’m not planning to ever again, Dolores shot back, her words edged with resolve as she tried to step around him.
But there was Ben, politely yet stubbornly blocking her exit. “Ms. Sherry, Mr. Walcott knew you were upstairs, that’s why he came up
And what? Am I supposed to be fucking grateful for that? she thought bitterly.
Despite knowing the real deal between them, Ben always stuck to formal titles, calling her “Ms. Sherry”
Dolores sneered inwardly, ‘Look at that, I’ve been playing Adam’s damn nanny for three years, and not even his closest associates see me as Mrs. Walcott, not even a fake courtesy. It’s just laughable.’
As she confronted Ben blocking her way, Dolores’s anger surged. “Mr. Chapman, she spat sharply. “Ever heard what they used to call people who blindly followed their masters around!”
She left the word “slaves” hanging venomously in the air, unspoken but unmistakably clear.
Adam’s voice sliced through the air, tinged with suppressed fury. “Dolores, a little mischief might be cute, but this is just plain bullshit. You leave an entire room full of clothes, shoes, and jewels–what, are you waiting for me to beg you to make up? Ben, get dinner ready.”
He then turned back to Dolores, trying to smooth things over, “Let’s do dinner tonight, and at that jewelry show coming up? Pick whatever you
want
This was classic Adam–throwing gifts at problems after their fights, anything money could buy. Dolores used to tell herself he was just romantically clueless. But after she saw how tenderly he treated Alison, all her self–delusions crumbled
With a cold laugh, Dolores’s words cut deep. I didn’t leave that stuff behind; I gave it all to Alison. She loves digging through other people’s discarded shit, right? Consider that pile of trash my wedding gift to you both!”
Molly, always trying to smooth things over, cut in, “Mrs. Walcott, you’ve totally got Alison wrong. She is fond of Mr. Walcott, sure, but she never meant to wreck any marriage! She asked him to help her order that bag because she doesn’t have a brand membership. If you like it, it’s all yours. Let’s keep the ‘mistress talk out of this, okay?”
Dolores scoffed internally at Molly’s holier than–thou act, but seeing an opportunity, she responded with dripping sarcasm, “Well then, I certainly won’t be shy. Thanks so muchi”
Feeling smug, she thought, “This bag is a tough find, and Gail will abs
her concemi.
alsolutely love it. It’s free, why not take it?‘ Adam’s thoughts were now the least of
As she moved towards the cashier, Adam grabbed her wrist. “Knock it all, Dolores. If you really want it, I’ll order another one. It’s no big deal” That touch sent a pang through her, bringing back memories of a lonely, loveless marriage and all her wounds, juxtaposed against his affection for
Alison. Her emotions were in turinoil
Realizing the bag was really meant for Al wrap it up for mar, · pleate}”
Alison, she masked her but with a faint smile, casu
casually pointing to another item. “That men’s bag there —
Adam felt a rare moment of relled when he saw Dolores, not pissed but actually picking out a gift for him
Although the bag wasn’t his style, he softened his voice. Let’s do dinner tonight. I’ll have someone swing by Call’s to grab your stuff.”
1/2
Creame–Read Romance.
9.52 AM ď ď ·
Chapter 9
Dolores ignored h
him, turning
instead to the sales associate. “Can you throw in a card with that?”
“Sure thing” The associate nodded.
With a casual flick of her wrist, she said. Tut Happy Valentine’s Day, Mr. Joe‘ c
on it.”
190
Adam’s eye twitched hard, and he tightened his grip on her wrist, demanding. “Who the fuck is Mr. Joe?”
“Just my date for tonight, Dolores replied coolly, yanking her wrist away. “Chill, Mr. Walcott, If you’re into it, I can order another one for big deal.”
As Dolores brushed him off with his own words, Adam’s jaw tensed, his temples pounding
The sales associate quickly processed the payment, wisely keeping quiet.
Dolores handed over her card with a nonchalant. “Charge it”
Adam’s face turned stone cold. “Dolores, how the hell can you afford this bag on your paycheck?”
you. It’s no
He had already axed the unlimited black card he once gave her. Besides a one–off hotel splurge, she hadn’t touched the account all year. Even with her scrimping, she couldn’t have saved enough to afford even half of this bag in a year.
But just as the atmosphere his freezing, the POS machine beeped a successful transaction.
Dolores collected the elegantly wrapped gift box and walked away without another word, leaving Adam glaring daggers at her retreating figure.
Exiting the mall, Dolores felt drained. Realizing it was late, she flagged down a cab to Gail’s antique shop.
Inside, Gail was chilling but immediately perked up when Dolores walked in, all smiles. “Hey, you! Weren’t you going to cook me a fancy dinner tonight? What’s up with the early visit?”
Dolores threw the gift box at her and collapsed into the sofa, exhaling. “Don’t even start. Today has been a shitshow.”
Eyes wide with curiosity, Call caught the gift box. “What’s this! A birthday treat for me?
“Yeah” Dolores mumbled, barely opening her eyes.
Gail’s excitement dropped when she opened the box and spotted the men’s bag. Her smile vanished. “Even if you think I’m not all that feminine, you didn’t have to shove it in my face like this”
“It’s for your lucky boyfriend, Dolores said Haily.
Gail was left speechless, pondering, ‘Boyfriend? Do Kevin, Andy, and Jeff from the club even count?
After Dolores ud some time to rest and gather herself, she stared the mall debacle.
Listening to Aslami’s in for your
is insistence on Dolores moving back, Cail paused, then half–joked, “You think that dickhead Adam could actually have the hots
