Chapter 2
The moment Aaliyah finished saying, a soft voice cut through hers.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Caroline Ellis clicked in on her heels, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.
She smiled as she looped her arm through Claude’s, snuggling intimately against his shoulder.
Aaliyah watched their cozy display, trembling as she squeezed her eyes shut.
Caroline was Claude’s childhood friend, and from the moment they started dating through their entire marriage, she’d been haunting their lives like a ghost that
wouldn’t disappear.
And Claude never pushed her away, even allowing her to cross the line over and over again.
There was a time when Aaliyah had wondered about Claude’s feelings for Caroline.
But after finding those love letters, she realized-
Caroline was just another tool he used to make her jealous.
He got off on watching her burn with envy.
laude finally noticed Aaliyah standing in the doorway, his brow furrowing. “What are you doing here?”
Aaliyah gripped her purse strap tighter, realizing he hadn’t heard a word she’d said.
There’s a necklace missing from the house,” she said, looking him straight in the eye. “I wanted to ask if you’d seen it.”
Claude was clearly caught off guard, his expression darkening. “That’s it? That’s why you’re here?”
‘What else would it be?” Aaliyah shot back. “What did you think I came for?”
His face turned stormy.
Aaliyah knew that look all too well-
Every time she didn’t follow his script, he’d get that same irritated expression.
You mean that silver necklace?” Caroline suddenly chimed in. “I mentioned I liked it once, and Claude gave it to me.”
she tilted her head innocently. “But I accidentally lost it when I got home…”
Aaliyah’s head buzzed, blood rushing to her skull. “How dare you give away my stuff!”
‘It’s just a necklace,” Claude cut her off coldly. “Why are you making such a big deal? I’ll buy you ten more.”
That’s from my mom!” Aaliyah practically screamed, her voice shaking.
The room went dead silent.
Claude was clearly stunned, but quickly slipped back into his cold mask. “Look, it’s gone now, okay? What do you want me to do about it? Stop being so
dramatic.”
Aaliyah bit her lip until she tasted blood.
Even after telling him it was her mother’s keepsake, he still thought she was being dramatic.
Claude, is this how much you love me?
Realizing she’d never get the necklace back, Aaliyah turned to leave. Another second in there and she’d completely fall apart.
Behind her, she heard chairs scraping. Claude stood up. “Alright, let’s get out of here.”
99 Divorce Games: The Final Round Goes My Way
Chapter
He followed her out.
Outside the club, the night wind stung Aaliyah’s cheeks.
She kept her head down, walking quickly, not wanting them to see her red-rimined eyes.
Suddenly, there was a loud creaking sound overhead.
Before Aaliyah could react, someone screamed behind her: “Look out!”
She looked up to see a massive billboard falling straight toward them.
In that split second, Claude lunged toward Aaliyah.
But when their eyes met, he pivoted at the last moment, shielding Caroline instead.
“CRASH!”
As the pain hit, Aaliyah’s only thought was how pathetic this all was.
Just to hide his feelings for her, he was willing to let her die?
When she woke up, she was staring at a stark white ceiling.
Aaliyah struggled to turn her head. The hospital room was empty.
You’re awake?” A nurse came in to change her IV. “You’ve been out for two days. Lucky it was just a mild concussion.”
‘Who brought me here?” Aaliyah’s throat felt like sandpaper.
Your husband. You should’ve seen him when they brought you in-blood everywhere, and he was completely losing it. Looked like he was about to tear this place apart. But as soon as the doctor said you’d wake up, he took off, said something about an emergency. Weird, right?”
Aaliyah closed her eyes, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.
Not weird at all.
After all, he wouldn’t let her see even a hint of how he really feels about her.
