Seducing my Ex-husband back (Claire) novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

RICHARD’S TORMENT 2

-RICHARD POV-

Two hours later, I still lie in the mess of what we did. The couch cushions are crooked. Monica’s shirt is back on.

My pants are somewhere on the floor.

Monica’s breathing is still uneven. Her skin is flushed and wet.

But I don’t feel satisfied like I expected.

Instead, guilt crashes over me like a cold wave. Not because I used Monica. She knew what this was. What we

both needed it to be.

But because even as I moved inside her, even as she cried out beneath me, I was thinking of someone else.

Claire’s laugh. Claire’s hands. Claire’s body is in my memory. Monica sits up slowly. She smooths down the shirt

that barely covers her.

Something is calculating in her look. A coldness that wasn’t there moments before.

“Feel better?” she asks.

There’s poison hidden in her silk voice. I reach for my pants. I need to cover myself. I need a barrier between us.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

4

“You think I don’t know?” She stands. She moves like a cat to pour herself another drink. “You think I can’t tell

when you’re thinking about her?”

My blood turns to ice. “Monica…..”

“Claire.” She says the name like it tastes bitter. “Even when you’re inside me, she’s the one you want.”

I should deny it. Should lie and make excuses. Should try to save what’s left of our marriage.

Instead, silence stretches between us like a deep hole.

Monica laughs. The sound is sharp enough to cut glass.

“At least you’re honest about it now.”

1/4

6:47 PM Fri 3 Oct

Chapter 21

69%

+35 BONUS

She walks to the window. She stares out at the city lights. In profile, she’s still beautiful. The kind of beauty that

stops traffic. That launches careers and destroys marriages.

But it’s cold beauty. Untouchable.

Nothing like the warmth that used to come from Claire like sunlight.

“Do you know what she said to me at the party?” Monica asks. Her voice sounds conversational now. Almost

friendly.

I don’t want to hear this. But I can’t stop myself from asking, “What?”

“She asked if I still think about what I stole from her.” Monica turns back to me. Her smile is sharp. “If I ever

wonder if it was worth it.”

“And what did you tell her?”

“I told her that some things are worth stealing. That some men are worth the fight.”

She moves closer. Her bare feet make no sound on the marble floor. “But she’s not fighting anymore, is she, Richard? She’s moved on.

Found herself a billionaire with better manners and a cleaner reputation.”

The words hit like physical blows. Each one is designed to hurt.

“She doesn’t need you anymore,” Monica continues. Her voice drops to a whisper. “Doesn’t want you. And that’s what’s eating you alive, isn’t it? The fact that Claire Winfred is done begging for your attention.”

I stand suddenly. I need to move. I need to escape the truth she’s forcing me to face. “You don’t know what

you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?” She follows me like a predator hunting. “She came to your office today, didn’t she? Let me guess. She was professional, confident, and completely in control. Nothing like the broken woman you divorced.”

I say nothing. But my silence confirms everything.

Monica laughs again. The sound echoes off the high ceilings.

“She played you, Richard. Walked in there and reminded you of exactly what you threw away. And now you’re standing here, still turned on from thinking about her, wondering if you made the biggest mistake of your life.”

“Stop.”

“The truth hurts, doesn’t it?” She’s close enough to touch now. Close enough that I can smell her perfume

2/4

6:47 PM Fri 3 Oct

Chapter 21

mixed with the scent of what we just did.

69%

+35 BONUS

“You had a woman who loved you without conditions. Who would have done anything for you? And you threw

her away for me.”

“You seduced me,” I say, but the words sound weak even to me.

“I offered. You chose.” Her finger traces a line down my chest. Over the scratches her nails left earlier.

“And now she’s everything you wish I was, isn’t she? Strong instead of manipulative. Independent instead of

clinging, Successful instead of parasitic.”

Each word is a knife between my ribs.

“She’s become everything you destroyed in her,” Monica whispers. “And she’s never coming back to you.” The

silence that follows is deafening.

I stare at this woman I married. This beautiful stranger who knows exactly how to hurt me most efficiently.

“What do you want from me?” I ask finally.

“Nothing you haven’t already given.” She steps back. Her smile is as cold as winter. “I have your name, your

money, your reputation. What more could I need?” *

“And Claire?”

“Claire is no longer our problem.” Monica’s voice is matter–of–fact, businesslike. “She’s Alexander Hayes‘

problem now. And something tells me he’s much better equipped to handle a woman like her.”

She walks toward the stairs. She pauses at the bottom to look back at me.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify