EX-HUSBAND'S BOSS FOR VALENTINE

ONE MORE NIGHT

Melania:

I sit on the edge of the bed, gripping the soft fabric of the clothes Royal left for me. My mind is a mess, tangled in this rollercoaster of emotions from the past twenty-four hours, and after speaking with Brady, I can confirm that rage burns hotter within me. I want to look him in the face and punch him squarely. How dare he threaten me and feel no remorse for what he has done? If only he loved me as much as I love him, I wouldn’t be here. There is nothing more heartbreaking than trying to leave the one you love because you know they will never reciprocate.

I try to focus on myself. I have a brighter future than he does, and even if he works for the Montclairs until he is a hundred, his wealth will never amount to a quarter of mine. Even if he goes into drug dealing, the best he could reach is half of mine.

After a while, I throw on the dress, then walk into the closet, searching through the drawers until I find Royal’s car key drawer. I pick a Porsche key, then grab a pair of shades from the display stand. I throw them on and make my way out of the room.

When I step outside, I click the button, and the black 2025 Porsche Cayenne lights up. I get in, then wheel the car toward the gate. When I get there, the security stops me, and I groan, rolling down the window and lowering my glasses slightly with a finger.

“Do we have a problem here?” I ask, and the man in the black suit nods slightly.

“Ma’am, I have been given direct orders to watch you, and if you need to leave, I’m afraid I must accompany you.”

I push my glasses back up as his words grate my nerves. Who the f**k does Royal think he is? Ordering his man to watch me like I’m some baby.

Anger surges through me, and I grip the wheel tighter than I should.

“If you enjoy keeping your job, I’d advise you to open the f*****g gate, or I’ll slam through it. Then you’ll have to pay for damages, and you’ll get fired too!” I grit my teeth like a psycho, and his feet get moving.

As soon as the gates open, I speed off, heading straight for that bastard’s house.

**

The moment I drive into Brady’s driveway, I feel the familiar suffocating energy that always seemed to cling to him. The place is just as I remember—cold. It was never a home, just a showroom for him to play his role as the successful businessman and me as the beautiful, mute housewife.

I park the car, then step out, taking a deep breath as I make my way toward the front door. Opening it, I step inside, coming to a halt in the living room, where Brady stands in the middle with his hands in his pockets and a smug smirk tugging at his lips.

“Melania,” he drawls, his eyes sweeping over me. “Didn’t think you’d come so soon.”

“I don’t have time to waste. Where are my things?” I ask, taking off my glasses and standing akimbo.

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Straight to the point. That’s what I liked about you.” His smirk widens. “But here’s the thing—I don’t feel like letting them go just yet.”

I fold my arms, trying to keep my patience in check because this is ridiculous. “Brady, don’t play games. Just give me my stuff.”

He puts up a hand, shaking it, then tilts his head slightly. “I might… on one condition.”

I already know where this is going, but I ask anyway.

“What condition?”

He steps toward me, and irritation ripples through my veins as I furrow my brows. “Spend the night with me.”My mouth practically hits the floor. “One last time, for old times’ sake. Then I’ll give you whatever you want.”

His lack of shame is appalling. Disgust rolls through me, and I cannot even fake it. My face feels like it’s caving in. “You’re disgusting.” The word falls from my lips.

He chuckles darkly. “Oh, come on. We both know you’re only with Royal to piss me off. I get it. You’re hurt, but this little act? It’s beneath you. Royal doesn’t look at women twice, and some people think he is gay.”

I glare at him. “Stay the hell away from me, Brady.”

But he moves faster than I expect, grabbing my arm and pulling me against him. His voice softens suddenly.

“I get it, okay? I messed up, and I should have treated you better, but I was stupid for letting my ego get in the way, and I’m sorry. Portia means nothing to me, and you are my wife.” His breath is warm against my skin. “I’m willing to change for you.”

I don’t hesitate. I flip around, connecting my palm with his cheek. The sharp sound echoes in the room, and he freezes for a second, his eyes darkening.

“You f*****g—” He grabs my hand, and before I can react, he shoves me onto the couch, pinning me down.

Panic flashes through my chest, but I try to fight him off, pressing my hand to his chest. “Get off me, Brady!”

His fingers dig into my wrists. “You used to like it when I was rough.”

He kisses down my body roughly, and my life flashes before my eyes. I never liked it rough, and all those nights he had his way with me, I let it slide because I was stupid and in love.

Not again, I tell myself as a tear runs down my face.

I knee him hard in the stomach, and without waiting for him to react, I punch him square in the face like I always wanted to, making him grunt in pain. The moment his grip loosens, I scramble to my feet. My heart pounds as I spot my luggage piled up by the stairs. I rush to it at once, grabbing only the black bag that contains my card.

Brady recovers fast, reaching for me, but I swing the bag at him, slamming it into his face.

I bolt out of the house, my breath ragged, as I get into my car and lock the doors.

My hands tremble as I grip the steering wheel, but I don’t let myself break down.

I start the engine and speed away…