TRADING MY EX FOR HIS STEP BROTHER

YOU'RE RUTHLESS

CHAPTER 20: YOU'RE RUTHLESS

KIMBERLY:

My eyes were dry, but inside, I was weeping.

"It doesn't matter that Damien has been nothing but insensitive since we got married,” I muttered under my breath. “No one has to know about that. We'll sort out our differences between the two of us.”

I sniffed in annoyance. "And then Roland? Really? What does he take me for? I'm stuck with Damien and will never get back together with him, no matter what happens.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, my chin in my hands as I thought about how my world keeps spinning like a wheel.

I shook my head, biting my bottom lip hard enough to taste blood. My phone buzzed in my purse, but I didn't bother to check it. I wasn’t ready for any more drama.

I just wanted nothing but peace right now. I wanted to spend a few minutes without anyone trying to crush my soul.

The door creaked open. And I look up. The scent of Damien’s cologne was enough to tell me who it was before his voice did.

"Kim."

I blinked and looked up. He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. His expression was unremarkable as always.

"Why are you back so soon?" My voice came out flat.

He hesitated, then came and sat next to me, putting his arm on my shoulder. "I just wanted to clarify things with you and I didn't want to wait until the evening.”

“Hmmm,” I mumbled.

He paused for a moment. “So about earlier. The girl in my office—"

I stood abruptly, cutting him off. "Don’t. Just... don’t. I’m not interested in whatever excuse you’ve cooked up. If this is how you want to live—moving around with different women while we're supposed to be on a honeymoon, —then don't explain anything to me. I'm not interested."

"What?" His brows furrowed. "You’re overreacting."

"Am I?" I snapped, taking a step toward him. "You made me feel humiliated in your office in front of your staff, with some girl hanging off your arm. Luckily, no one knew I was your wife. You think I’ll sit back and watch you cheat on me in public?"

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I didn’t cheat. She’s just a friend.."

"Save it, Damien. I’m not that naive."

His jaw clenched. “That's just the problem with you, Kim. You don't listen when I try to explain things to you and it pisses me off a lot.

“I left work so I can come home and explain things to you yet you don't want to listen. You don't expect me to stop associating with people just because you feel insecure.”

My mouth dropped agape. “Are you for real? You think I'm insecure? I don't know Damien but I feel like I just made a big mistake marrying you.”

“It's too late for regret, Kim.”

“I can still file for divorce.”

Damien froze. Then, he slowly turned to me. “You think you can walk away just like that? Sorry, sweetheart, that’s not how this works."

My breath caught. "What the hell are you saying?"

He stepped closer, his tone icy. "I’m saying I will never grant you a divorce. Not now. Not ever."

I stared at him. "You can’t be serious."

"Dead serious," he said, folding his arms. "I mean, this is outrageous. We just got married two days ago and you're already talking about divorce?

“There’s not a single attorney in New York that’ll take your case without my consent. The prenup you signed, remember? Unless I want to let you go, you’re stuck."

My fists curled at my sides. "So you want me to stay here, watch you fool around, and pretend everything’s fine?"

“I'm not fooling around, Kim. You just want to wrap me around your little finger and it's not going to work. Never!”

"Unbelievable," I hissed, brushing past him. "You're ruthless, Damien. You really are your father’s son."

I yanked the door open, and wanted to go out for some air.

But I slammed straight into someone.

"What the heck.." I yelped.

I froze when I saw who it was. The smirk on his face told me he was eavesdropping.

“What are you doing here, Roland?”

“Just passing by,” he responded with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Were you... standing there this whole time?" I asked, voice low.

“Come on, Kim, this is my house too and I'm not restricted from walking around. So, stop acting like I committed a crime.”

“You were eavesdropping, Roland. That's so low of you,” I snapped.

“So what if I was? I told you Damien is not capable of love. Haven't you confirmed it? I apologized for betraying you. But your loving husband isn't even ready to admit to his fault, let alone apologizing.”

“That's none of your business, Roland. Leave me the hell alone.”

“Come on now, Kim. You need to think things through and…”

Before he could finish his statement, a punch shot from behind me and landed on Roland's face.