My breath caught. Noah. His voice was the same as always — smooth, sharp, a warmth I hadn’t felt in years. “I heard from your father,” he said. “So you’re finally divorcing him, huh?”
I swallowed, my throat raw. “Yes. I’m done with him. I… I want out. Noah… do you still want me?”
He laughed — low, easy, like he already knew my answer. “Of course I do. You’re mine, Lauren. You always have been. I’ll pick you up myself — give me a few days. I can’t wait to make you mine for real this time.”
I shut my eyes, a strange heat blooming in my chest. “Yes. I’ll be waiting for you.”
When the call ended, I let myself hope for a breath — just a small taste of freedom. But then a shadow fell over my bed. I looked up — and there he was.
Xander. His eyes narrowed, lips curled into that cold half-smirk.
“Who were you talking to?” he asked, his voice low. “Are you cheating on me now, Lauren?”
Before I could reach for my phone, his hand shot out and snatched it from my fingers.
“Open it now,” Xander demanded, his hand gripping my phone like it was his property — like I was his property rather than wife.
I forced my voice to stay calm, even as my skin crawled. “The password is my birthday.”