“Drunken fights are your thing now?” Derek asked pleasantly as soon as Marcus stumbled inside the limousine after him.
“Fuck you.”
“You’re welcome.” As the limousine sped away, the younger man suggested, “How about a bargain?”
Marcus only looked at the Greek billionaire, and when the other man raised his eyebrow at him as if expecting an answer, he said derisively, “I’m supposed to be the drunk one here.”
“You are, but my offer also stands true. Let me tell you a story, and if you still choose not to straighten up your act, then we’ll stay out of your hair, permanently.”
“You’re either fucking pulling my leg or you’re insane. Do you think you’re fucking Scheherazade and you can change my fucking mind just because of one goddamn story?”
The younger man only shrugged. “Take it or leave it. That’s the only offer you’ll get from me.”
Marcus shook his head, muttering in disgust, “Suit yourself. Talk away.”
“Well then—-”
“Aren’t you going to start with ‘once upon a fucking time’?” he sneered.
Derek only smiled. “If you think it matters, then why not?” Turning away, the Greek billionaire settled his green gaze on the passing scenery outside the car window. “Once upon a fucking time, I treated Jaike like a slut.”
Marcus stiffened in his seat.
But it had only gotten worse, and every goddamn word was like a bucket of ice-cold water pouring down his head. Marcus had thought he was long past feeling anything, but with every word Derek spoke—-
He realized he could still feel.
And when the Greek billionaire was done, Marcus could only ask numbly, “Why?” Why would Derek Christopoulos reveal to him such a thing?
“Because you’re acting like you’re the only man who could hurt the woman he loves.” Derek’s lips twisted. “But as you now know, that’s not true at all. In fact, between the two of us – which do you think is the bigger monster?”
When Marcus didn’t speak, the younger man only smiled. “You pushed your wife away because you cared for her. I nearly destroyed Jaike because I thought she betrayed me – when she did not. And yet—-” Derek splayed his hands wide open in a gesture of fatalistic acceptance. “I’ve lived to be the luckiest bastard in the world. I’m still with Jaike, and for the strangest reason, she actually loves me back. And do you know why?”
Marcus still didn’t answer.
“Because I fought to get her back, one last time.”
****
ON THE DAY THAT SHOULDhave been her first wedding anniversary, Anneke flew out of the country, wanting – needing – to be alone. As she settled down for the flight, Anneke immediately plugged her ears and began browsing for a movie to watch. She feared she’d go mad if she allowed her mind to dwell on the fact that a year had already passed – and she wasstillMrs. Ravelli.
Why, oh, why wouldn’t he just agree to the divorce?
Closure,her smoking-hot friend Alyx had once suggested to her. But since that girl was a closet romantic, Anneke didn’t want to think much of it.
Because he’s goddamn petty,her other friend Fredericka had put forward. But then again, the half-Russian state attorney was known to be quite clueless and dense about men, so Anneke couldn’t take Fredericka’s words seriously either.
Of course, there was also Willem and his little theory, but she didn’t want to think of that. Shecouldn’tafford to think of that, period. She supposed she could always try talking to her other brothers or even Fleur, but doing so simply didn’t feel right. It was bad enough to have Willem concerned about her, and so that left Anneke with—-
––––––––
ME, MYSELF, AND I TOsolve my problem,Anneke thought with a sigh,like always.As she took her luggage from the baggage conveyor and stepped out of Contini’s airport, she promised herself she would use this time away to properly reflect on her next move.
And so she should, Anneke thought dumbly the next moment, because it seemed as if her depression had finally gotten the better of her. Her mind was now playing tricks, making it seem like Marcus Ravelli was standing across the airport road, staring back at her.
But he wasn’t...right?
Anneke rubbed her eyes several times, but when her vision of him didn’t waver, she had to accept she wasn’t seeing things.