Bought By The Man Who Hates Me

ing against the leg of her chair, boxing her in. It was a warning. He might claim not to know her, but he had no intention of letting

abric had begun to pill. She tucked a loose thread under the hem, hoping the dim lighting of the restaurant would f

rfume and nervous energy. Chynna gripped Bethel's arm,

d, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Like, D.C. roy

h stones. She didn't belong here. River Oaks was a world of old money

ethel said, her voice sound

crisp white jacket held the door, ushering them into the cool, conditioned a

e crystal chandelier overhead was aggressive, reflecting off the silverware and the polished wine glasses. Beth

g table. He was beaming, his face flushed with

ston announced. "Th

canning the room, seeking the safest corner to retreat to. Her gaze drifted down the

ss of amber liquid, his attention seemingly fo

dden, violent contraction that stopped her breath i

ned hi

ere gone, replaced by a jawline that looked like it had been carved from granite. His dark hair

ive years since she had d

He just stared, his gaze tracki

knew. She turned slightly, but the waiter had already closed the heavy doors behind

as tr

ished, replaced by a coldness so profound it made her shiver. He l

bite of pain was the only thing keeping her grounded. Bre

t sucked the oxygen out of the room. "I want to introduce our guest of honor. Fresh

of admiration went around the table. T

in a lazy, mocking salute. His posture was arrogant, taking up s

urged, pulling Bethel t

placed their seats directly across from him. Every step

hair and diamonds that caught the light. Clarissa Melendez. Bethel recognized the name from the so

idn't p

sharp and pathetic, twisted in her gut. She ha

using to look up. She reached for her water glass, her hand tre

on made a sound. It w

the water stain spread o

own. "Do you two know each other?

ther. She had to say something. She had to navigate this minefiel

I

voice cut thr

finality. He wasn't looking at Presto

now her,"

t was an erasure. He was looking at the woman he had once planned to marry

w. Her heart felt like it was cracking ope

," she whispered