Chapter 11
The biuro was alive with none and the smell it good fool.
Dolores stood out in her understated, elegant dress, her lightly curled hair casually pinned up with a shark clip, a few stray locks caressing her pale cheeks, adding atonch of softness. She browsed the item, her profile looking especially refined against her blonde hair.
she pointed to something on the menu and leaned over to the man next to her, whispering a quick comment. He nodded, and Dolores flashed a grin, waking down a watter
Olat raped an rychnow. Looks like your ex is living it up without you, huhf?
Adamy didn’t say a word, he just turned and walked out of the room.
In the bistro, Lexi knocked back a beer, still in shock. “You’re really Doreen Mack? The Doreen who fixed that fucked–up ancient vase?”
Dolores seemed a bit fed up with the question but kept silent. Lexi had been harping on about it all the way here, and Dolores was still no to respond
not sure how
Seving the awkwardness, Philip muslged Lexi with his foot and chuckled. “Chill with the drilling, man. Doreen, ignore “Okay, Dolores mitered obediently.
him.
“Here’s your grub” “The water’s call broke the short silence, setting down a plate of sizzling fried razor clams.
phone rang loudly. Sighing, she set aside her fork and fished out her phone. The caller ID
Just as Dolores was about to dive into her meal her pho showed–Adam.
She hestated for a moment, then suppressed the urge to pick up and switched her phone to silent mode instead. The phone rang a few times more befor it quirird
Dolores wasn’t surprised; Adam was notorious for his lack of patience–if she didn’t pick call ended, a WhatsApp notification popped up.
pick up instantly, he would hang up. But this time, just after
rthe
to be startled by the message from Ada
Adam Get over here.]
She tapped it open nonchalantly, only to She frowned, scanning the area subconsciously, her eyes landing on the familiar black Bentley across the street at a five–star hotel. Adam’s custom
Deciding in ignore it, she went back to her meal hout was clearly preoccupied.
Noting her lack of appetite, Lexi thought she was just being shy and helpfully dropped a shrimp on her plate, grinning. “Lighten up, Dolores. The folks at Ethers Studio are cool. Just treat us like friends. And if you ever need to bail for a day. Philip won’t give a damn–he practically pushes us that the docu.”
In theu feld, keeping talent was a hand part, promotions were scarce, and the lonely days made even thinking about dating a luxury. That’s why Philips was an lentent with lus team, always scheming to keep morale up
Dolores smiled. “Thanks”
Just as she was almout to taste the shrimps, her phone buzzed again.
It was another message from Adam, even more forceful this time. You coming over, or edge of invitation and dombaİNE
or am I cu
I coming there! The message had an unmistakable
Trobores knew all too well how quickly Adam’s temper could flare. She wolled down the last of her shrimis, dropped her utensils, and turned to Pulips, regret painting lies Features. “Mr. Wool, Fou so sorry, but a crisis just popped up. My Uber is outside, and I really have to run Ploboj dismissed her all
with a forgiving wave, “Off you go. I’m leaving myself. These old bones of mine can’t keep up with your youthful
energy
After a pond of bruk apologies to everyone. Dolores maile a berline for the Hendley parked nearly. Adam’s anger readied a landling potud at her impatience. Rather than speeling off, he seled her chin roughly, his voice tinged with pain and accusation “And such a ducking arceir
She slipped lots the car and urged, “Step on it
Hom
9:53 АМ
Chapter 11
The pain sharpened Dolores resolve. After three years of cold, indifferent marriage, she was done bending Took, Adam, we’re getting divorced. I don’t need people thinking I’m still hung up on my ex
Adam’s eyes darkened as he brushed his fingers across her lips mockingly. Did you enjoy the shrimp
Dolores immediately caught his draft and thought. Asshole. He dumps me, but he still can’t stand anyone else touching me, Time to let him know be doesn’t own me.
She raised an eyebrow and retorted, “Hell yeah, it was good—*
But before she could finish, Adam’s lips slammed against hers, his breath a heady mix of tobacco and liquor. The kiss was aggressive and possessive, cutting of any protest,
Dolores was left reeling. During their marriage. Adam had shown affection but always held back. Now, it felt like he was trying to devour her. As she lost herself in the confusion, his hand slipped under her blouse, clearly signaling his intentions.
Fear gripped Dolores. If she didn’t stop him now, they might end up i
move.
crossing lines she wasn’t ready to revisit. She closed her eyes and made a bold
“Fuck” Adam grunted as he pulled back, but his lips hovered close, as though ready to dive in for another kiss.
He wiped a faint trace of blood from his lip, a cold smirk spreading across his face. “You bit me?”
With a look of revulsion, Dolores wiped her lips and shot back, “Oh, what’s the matter? Didn’t Alison get you off? Had to look for seconds? Adam remained unfazed, his voice steady yet stinging. “At least we’re still technically married. You’re the safer‘ choice for now,”
The word “safer” hung between them like a blade.
Bitter laughter escaped Dolores as anger boiled within her, barely holding back the urge to probably dump your ass all over again, the sneered
urge to slap him. “If she knew just how shitty you are, the would
Just as she stopped talking, a loud third against the window cut through the tension like a knife. They both turned and saw Lexi bent eyeballing the inside of the car with curiosity,
The car had one–way tints, so they could see out, but outsiders couldn’t see in
rver.
Adam didn’t lower the window. Instead, he gave Lexi a once–over filled with disclain, eyeing him from his head down to his shoes, not missing a single detail.
Then, with a voice cold and laced with contempt, he sneered, “Is this
picked up?”
Lexi was no fashion icon but he wait a slob either. His watch was flashy.
the new fuckboy you pick toilet paper, that was just pocket change—not even enough to cover his lunch.
casily worth a couple of grand. To Adam, though, who treated money like
Before Dulures could chime in. Adam’s attention had already shifted past Lexi to the noisy bistro down the street. His tone was dripping with deration. “You’re divorcing me for a guy who takes you to shitholes like this!”
In words were
were more bating each time. “Dolores, got tired of fe
I of feasting on delicacies, craving some down–to–earth crap now?”
Dolores gazed at his incluttereis side profile, feeling a cocktail of emotions. Her years of silent devotion suddenly felt wasted and hollow.
She let out a mocking laugh and retorted, “Exactly, Mr Walcon. You ca
a bite at some crappy rachide joint dan stay with you. Ever wonder why that is
