Chapter 3
I kept up the act, begging him in the most pitiful voice I could manage.
"I've never been to a hotel that nice in my life. I just... I just want to see what the good life feels like. Even if it's only once."
As I spoke, I let my worn, overworked hands drift into view.
Over the years, Ryan had promised me the good life plenty of times when the mood struck him, but those promises had never amounted to anything.
"I'm sorry. Alright, I'll do it," Ryan said softly.
I kept my head low and spoke up, sounding conflicted.
"A few years back, when you were going through that rough patch, you used those pills. You still have them?"
Ryan was about to blow up, but I cut in fast.
"Don't you want to leave me with a good last impression?"
He frowned at me for a long moment, then let out a defeated sigh.
"You really like me that much?" he asked.
I nodded frantically, my eyes already brimming with tears.
The night we went to the hotel, I made request after request, every single one wrapped in the excuse that this was our last time and I wanted one good memory to keep.
Ryan fell for all of it, and I even caught a flash of regret in his eyes.
But when we sat down for dinner, he slid a document across the table.
"I know you can't let me go, so just in case you change your mind... Sign the divorce papers now."
I picked up the papers, skimmed through the terms, confirmed everything matched our agreement, and signed.
"You... just like that?" Ryan looked stunned. He hadn't expected that. A storm of emotions crossed his face. "After all these years, you don't feel anything for me at all?" he asked.
The man was ridiculous. Ten years as his housewife, and he'd never once noticed everything I did. The second his first love came back, he couldn't dump me fast enough.
Handing him over to a rich woman was already generous on my part. I could've done far worse, but burning bridges right now served no purpose.
"I want you two to be happy," I said, keeping my voice small.
Ryan was deeply moved. "It's not like I feel nothing for you. It's just that Chloe is the love of my life. Don't worry. I'll be gentle tonight."
The look in his eyes killed my appetite on the spot. His phone buzzed right then, and the name on the screen was Chloe's. He tensed up instantly, shot me a glance, and stepped outside to take the call.
My own phone lit up with a text from Victoria. She was already at the hotel and wanted to know how Ryan performed in bed. Rich women really did cut straight to the chase.
I told her he was decent but that I couldn't guarantee her experience. Victoria sent back a thumbs-up, and a moment later Ryan returned to the table.
"Sorry about that. She just got back in town and wants to surprise me. Gonna introduce me to some of her friends," he said.
He looked like he was getting ready to leave, and I wasn't about to let that happen. I grabbed his arm.
"Can't you stay just a little longer?" I pleaded.
Ryan glanced at the wine glass on the table and sighed. "I can't. I don't want her getting the wrong idea."
But the second those words left his mouth, something in his expression shifted. He tugged at his tie and stared at me, caught completely off guard. "What did you do to me?" he demanded.
He couldn't figure it out since he hadn't even touched his wine yet, but I'd been worried his own dose wouldn't be strong enough, so I'd slipped a little extra in ahead of time.
Just then, his phone rang again.