Chapter 67

Elysia’s heart sank like a stone dropped into the depths of the ocean. One moment, she was a nobody, and the next, she had somehow transformed into the wife of a billionaire.

If it were anyone else, they’d probably be over the moon, right?

But her? She just wanted to cry.

The higher Tarquin’s pedestal, the more power he wielded, the less she felt capable of standing up to him.

To everyone else, he was a titan, and if he refused to divorce, what could she possibly do against him?

Oh heavens, she thought, why not just take her out of her misery?

Elysia’s sudden transformation into a picture of gloom didn’t go unnoticed by Blossom, who mistook her friend’s expression for shock at the bombshell news about Tarquin.

“You know, even though Tarquin’s as handicapped as your hubby, stories about him could fill books,”

Blossom said, not realizing the irony of her words. “He’s never shown his face around town–no one knows what he looks like–but legends of him are everywhere.

But, my dear, he’s like a prince from a fairy tale, and we’re just average Janes. There’s no need to be scared at the mention of his name. We don’t cross paths with his kind, and he doesn’t know us from Adam, so no worries!”

Elysia felt the urge to cry even more. How could she not know him?

She was his wife!

And not just any wife, but one accused of infidelity, who had so angered him that he demanded she leave with nothing but the clothes on her back!

Now, he was refusing to divorce her, clearly as a form of revenge.

What was she to do?

In a desperate attempt to keep her composure and not ruin the mood for Blossom and the kids, Elysia quickly made an excuse to leave. “I need to use the restroom. You guys go ahead and order; I’ll be right back.”

“You need the restroom?” Blossom pointed to a hidden door in the private dining room. “It’s right there.”

“I’d rather use the one outside. Is there one?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Great, you guys order. I’m not picky; I’ll eat anything.”

20:12 With that, Elysia hurried out of the room.

In the restroom, she stared at her reflection, on the brink of tears. She had been planning on cornering Tarquin at his office to force a divorce, but now it seemed a distant dream.

He was perched at the peak of the pyramid while she was stuck in the mud.

It was like heaven and earth–how could she possibly fight back?

Elysia figured Blossom was right–she must have vandalized Cupid’s temple in a past life, and now her love life was an obstacle course.

She didn’t want to get married, yet she was forced into it.

Now she wanted out, and he refused to let her go!

She felt like she was cursed, a regular jinx magnet.

“Cash Thorne?” A familiar male voice suddenly echoed from behind her.

Elysia snapped out of her thoughts and turned around.

And there was Gage Slater.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Gage’s eyes widened the moment he saw her.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t you! Fate does love to play its games, huh?”

His gaze was far from friendly, and Elysia instinctively tried to step away, but Gage. snatched her arm with a sleazy grin.

“Running away? Scared I’ll bite? Please, everyone knows I’m Gage, the gentleman. Especially with a pretty little thing like you, heh.”

The stench of alcohol hit her, making Elysia’s stomach turn. She wanted to grab the hand soap and hurl it at his head but worried about the cost of such an impulsive act.

Instead, she wrenched her arm free and scolded, “Mr. Slater, I’d advise you to keep your hands to yourself!”

“Keep my hands to myself? Pfft, you’re a bartender, and you’re lecturing me on propriety?”

“Serving drinks isn’t the same as selling my soul. What’s wrong with being a bartender?”

“In my eyes, it’s all the same. You’re all just waiting for someone to take you home. You got lucky last time, but your luck’s run out today!