Chapter 6
The room was dim, shadows curling around the corners. Latham bent his knee, lounging with his hand braced casually next to her. He angled his head, leaning in so his ear was right by Dorothea’s lips, waiting for her to say something.
Dorothea had been crying quietly, but now she felt awkward having him show up out of nowhere. She tried to hold back her tears, but a soft hiccup slipped out. Her nose twitched a little with every breath, making her look unexpectedly cute.
Trying to change the subject, Dorothea sniffed and asked, “What are you doing here p>
Latham’s dark eyes glimmered, and a lazy, crooked smile tugged at his mouth. “Saw a pretty girl crying and couldn’t just walk by. Had to see who could hurt someone this beautiful p>
He let the words hang in the air, his voice slow and careless. “Didn’t expect it to be my wife p>
Dorothea’s brows drew together as she shot him a wary look. “Don’t flatter yourself. This is just a marriage of convenience. We’re not close p>
Her words seemed to freeze the air between them for a moment.
Latham stepped back a little, his gaze sharpening. “Still, you’re my wife. Where are you headed? Come on, I’ll give you a ride p>
He pulled open the door of his purple Bugatti, beckoning her with a quick gesture. Dorothea pressed her lips together, all traces of her earlier sadness gone. “I’ll pass.” Latham clicked his tongue. “Let’s go. I don’t need the press saying my wife was out here crying over some other guy. That would really ruin my mood p>
Left with no real choice, and feeling too drained to argue, Dorothea slid into the passenger seat. She’d never been in a car like this before. Albert always drove something practical, like a sedan or an SUV. Sure, he had a couple of sports cars in his garage, but Dorothea was never allowed near them.
She stared out the window, lost in thought, while Latham glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her eyes were still wet, the corners tinged with red.
“Got your heart broken?” Latham asked, this time with none of his usual sarcasm. His voice was quieter, almost gentle.
Dorothea glanced over, noticing the tattoo peeking out from his collarbone. “Something like that. But you don’t have to worry. He’s an ex now. Won’t cause you any trouble. Anyway, we agreed not to meddle in each other’s lives. Do whatever you want p>
If anyone had a reputation for playing around, it was Latham.
He drove her back to her apartment building and stopped out front. “Is an hour enough? Grab your stuff and come home with me.
“Home?” Dorothea echoed.
“Yeah. Or do you want to live apart p>
Realization flickered in her eyes. She kept her tone cool. “No rush. We can move in together after our families meet p>
She wasn’t in a hurry, not until the shares were in her hands.
Latham pressed his tongue to his cheek. “Whatever you want p>
As soon as Dorothea stepped out, the car sped off and disappeared down the street.
She stood there for a second, watching the taillights fade. Was he mad?
At eleven, Albert’s driver dropped
him off at the villa. Lunaria Lakeside.
This was where he kept Dorothe
but he hadn’t expected the driver to bring him here tonight.
A single light was on in the entryway.
He loosened his tie, calling out automatically, “Dorothea, make me some tea for this headache p>
Silence echoed back at him.
It took a moment for him to remember he’d driven Dorothea away earlier that day. He slumped
onto the couch hand covering his
covering his
eyes. Just then, he heard the faintest footsteps and the corners of his mouth lifted. No matter ho sharp
her words, in the end, she could
never really leave him.