Chapter 7.
Eugene regarded her with skepticism.“Ms. Johansen, you endured fifteen years. Christopher mentioned just recently that you two were trying for a baby. What game are you playing?”
“Mr. Benitez. Will you help or not?”
Eugene didn’t answer immediately. He studied her, as if trying to peel back layers to uncover her true scheme.
At that moment, a server approached with their coffee, stumbled, and bumped into Rosalind.
Rosalind lost her balance, falling against Eugene’s chest.
Outside the cafe, hidden in the shadows, a camera shutter clicked, capturing the moment.
Eugene, sensitive to the telltale flash, pushed her away, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. “You’re being followed.”
Rosalind stumbled slightly, steadying herself against the table.“No one is.”
“Someone just took our picture,” Eugene said, a hint of dark amusement in his tone.“That pose, Ms. Johansen. If those photos get out, it won’t look good. Have you pissed someone off?”
Rosalind offered a cool smile. “If you’ve done nothing wrong, Mr. Benitez, why fear the shadows?
Eugene raised an eyebrow.“Always this forward, Ms. Johansen?”
Rosalind gathered her belongings and put on her sunglasses. “I have to go, Mr. Benitez. I want this divorce finalized quickly. I assume you feel the same. Email me the draft power of attorney. I’ll get Christopher to sign it. Then we proceed to the courthouse without delay.”
“Fine.”
Rosalind turned and left the cafe, hailing a cab.
Inside the taxi, her phone buzzed. Several photos appeared.
All showed her and Eugene.
The angles were deliberately chosen to make it look like Eugene was embracing her, the poses highly suggestive.
“Rosa, check these. Do they work?”
The sender was her friend Sharlene Huff, a seasoned wedding photographer.
Capturing ambiguous moments was her specialty.
Rosalind texted, “Perfect. Thanks, Shar.”
Sharlene texted back,” I just don’t get it. Why do you need these? To make Christopher jealous?”
“He’s irrelevant now. I don’t have time for games.”
“Then why?”
Rosalind’s fingers tapped rapidly. “Eugene is volatile and rebellious. I need leverage in case he tries to sabotage me.”
“Sabotage the divorce? But doesn’t he want you and Christopher to split up?”
< Chapter 7.
Rosalind sighed. “More than seeing us divorced, he enjoys making me miserable.”
It wasn’t the first time.
Every move she made, Eugene seemed compelled to oppose it.
Now that she was finally determined to end her marriage, she couldn’t risk the unpredictable Eugene suddenly deciding to throw a wrench in the works.
She needed an insurance policy.
Suddenly, the taxi slammed on its brakes.
Rosalind was thrown forward, her head smaXXing against the headrest of the front seat.
The driver cursed.“Making out right in the middle of the damn road! Blocking traffic! Idiots!”
Rosalind looked up. A couple stood in the street ahead.
The man seemed to have picked something up from the ground and handed it to the woman.
She covered her face, apparently crying, then threw her arms around him in a grateful hug.
Their embrace in the middle of the road had forced several cars to brake hard.
A man got out of a black sedan nearby, furious. “Take your lovey–dovey crap home! Are you trying to get killed?”
Christopher, one arm around the woman clinging to him, raised his other hand in a placating gesture, a charming smile on his face. “My apologies! My girlfriend dropped her bracelet. I was retrieving it.”
“You can’t retrieve it in moving traffic!” the man yelled. “Who pays if you get hit? And what about everyone you’ve delayed? You owe us compensation!”
Christopher remained unruffled. Raising his voice to address the other drivers, he announced, “My sincere apologies, everyone. I’ll cover all your losses today. Contact my assistant to verify the amount. I’ll pay triple.”
power of
money worked instantly.
The
Chapter 8.
