My Needy Boss Won't Divorce Me

Lola Bennett stumbled forward as the sudden jolt of impact threw her off balance—the taxi she was in had been rear-ended. The driver apologized profusely and told her to find another ride, but this stretch of road was notorious for its lack of available cabs. Every passing car seemed occupied, leaving her clutching her bridal veil with growing frustration. Today was supposed to be perfect. Her boyfriend was planning to propose, and she wasn't about to let a delay ruin what should have been the most magical moment of her life. Just as she was beginning to panic, a sleek black car pulled up beside her. The back window rolled down, revealing a man with sharp, penetrating eyes, a strong nose, and a chiseled jawline. His lips, thin and impeccably shaped, parted to issue a curt command, "Get in." Lola Froze. There were less than twenty minutes left until the proposal, and she didn’t know this man at all. Was this some kind of scam? Or worse—human trafficking? ***** The driver leaned over, handing her a business card. "Relax, we're not criminals. Here's my card." Lola glanced at it and, reassured, cautiously approached the car. Once inside, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The man in the backseat exuded a commanding presence that seemed to fill every corner. His tailored suit hinted at a powerful, muscular frame, and the smoky tea scent wafting from him was both alluring and unsettling. As a professional perfumer, Lola couldn't help analyzing the fragrance: fig wrapped in English tea, layered with cedar, tobacco, and musk. Calm yet domineering—just like him. 'Marauder in Suit,' she thought, recalling the name she'd given this particular cologne during its creation. The name couldn't have fit him better. Determined to be polite, Lola thanked both the man and the driver, though her gratitude was met with little more than a curt nod as the man immersed himself in his documents. Sensing the awkward tension, the driver tried to make small talk. "What's with the veil? Heading to Evergreen Estate?" "My boyfriend is proposing today," Lola replied, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. The driver raised an eyebrow. "Congratulations! Though, doesn't that spoil the surprise?" Lola chuckled. "The estate staff texted me to confirm the decor details a couple of days ago. My boyfriend probably mixed up our phone numbers when booking." Before the driver could continue the conversation, the man's cold, authoritative voice cut in, "Eyes on the road. No chatting." The driver immediately fell silent, and Lola, reminded of the earlier accident, decided not to push her luck. The ride continued in tense silence, though the driver occasionally glanced at his mysterious passenger in the rearview mirror. It wasn't every day that Elijah Vaughn offered someone a ride. ***** Elijah kept his eyes on the documents in front of him, though his mind was elsewhere. Evergreen Estate was famous for its proposals, a place so steeped in romantic lore that it was said every couple who got engaged there would live happily ever after. The odds of him and this woman heading to the same place seemed too coincidental. Surely, his brother Ashton Vaughn wouldn't stoop to sharing a proposal venue. The Vaughn family name carried weight, and only the crème de la crème was allowed through the estate's gates. Guests were subjected to three rounds of checks to keep out unwanted intruders. Yet this woman, oblivious to the car's smooth passage, didn't notice a single barrier as they drove directly to the grand entrance. The moment they arrived, Lola didn't wait. Adjusting her veil, she darted inside with single-minded determination. Inside the venue, the proposal ceremony was already underway. A man and woman stood onstage, locked in an embrace as the crowd applauded. Lola froze, disbelief flooding her system. This was supposed to be her proposal. But the man onstage wasn't proposing to her. He was proposing to her half-sister, Nina Bennett. ***** As champagne corks popped, Nina's gaze swept the room until it landed on Lola. With a sly smile, she gave her a cheeky wink. The silent taunt ignited something in Lola. Grabbing a nearby wine bottle, she clenched it tightly and strode forward, ready to storm the stage and confront them both. Before she could take more than a few steps, a firm grip seized her arm, yanking her back with such force that she stumbled. Struggling against the hold, she turned to find the man from earlier, his eyes unreadable. "What are you doing?" she demanded, her voice trembling with rage. "Let go of me! I need to teach those two a lesson!" Elijah's expression remained stoic. He motioned towards the cameras positioned discreetly around the room. "See all those reporters? By tomorrow morning, your outburst will be plastered across every gossip site. Is that what you want?" Lola's defiance didn't waver. "I don't care. The ones who should be ashamed are them, not me." She pulled out her phone, flashing a photo of her and her ex. "Look at this. That man is my cheating boyfriend, and the woman is my sister. They ruined my life. Why should I stay silent?" ***** Elijah sighed inwardly. Of all the messes Ashton had dragged him into, this was by far the most ridiculous. "That man is my brother," he said, his tone calm but firm. "And I'd prefer not to see his happiness ruined. Whatever you want, name it—I'll make it happen." Lola blinked, stunned by the absurdity of the situation. Her disbelief quickly turned to anger. "Ashton Vaughn is your brother?" she spat. "So, brother, do you think throwing money at me will fix this? Alright, I'll take compensation. How about your brother writes a public apology and pins it online?" Elijah's jaw tightened. That was not an option. ***** Lola jabbed a finger into his chest, her words spilling out in rapid-fire succession. "Your brother cheated on me. He's a spineless, lying coward, and you're no better for enabling him. No wonder he turned out the way he did!" Elijah didn't move, his towering frame trapping her against the wall. His presence was suffocating, a deliberate effort to keep her from causing a scene. Lola's fury simmered beneath the surface. She'd made the mistake of assuming this man had morals, only to find that his loyalties lay solely with his family. ***** The stage emptied as the proposal concluded. Lola shot him a pointed glare. "Let me go." "Promise me you won't cause a scene," Elijah countered. She gestured towards the now-empty stage. "The show's over. What's left to ruin?" Elijah reluctantly stepped back, releasing her. Watching her rub her reddened wrist, he muttered, "Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." Elijah stood frozen for a moment. He'd been trained since childhood—one blow from him could leave a two-hundred-pound man unconscious. He'd forgotten, just for a second, how fragile a woman's wrist could be. Lola didn't respond, her cold stare cutting through his feigned remorse. Without another word, she stormed off, her sights set on finding the reporters. As he ordered someone to bring ointment for her, he looked around, realizing she was already gone, and relaxed—momentarily.