He Turned Our Wedding Into a Bet So I Married Another Man Chapter 08

He Turned Our Wedding Into a Bet So I Married Another Man Chapter 08

Chase took a breath and called Grant.

He picked up right away.

Chase opened his mouth, but the words wouldn’t come.

After a few seconds, he finally said, “Tomorrow, you and Quinn-”

“Look,” Grant cut him off, “I’ll give you one piece of advice, as a friend.”

“Tomorrow’s wedding is your last chance to win her back.”

He hung up. Chase stared at the phone, frozen in place.

Exactly. The wedding was a bluff, a ploy to make him come running. The certainty settled over him like a

shield.

She couldn’t leave him. Seven years, how could she?

Of course he loved her. But not like this, this desperate, manipulative version of her.

She wanted to play games? Fine. He’d show her he wasn’t a pushover.

The doorbell rang.

Chase opened it.

Lena stood there in a silk nightgown, a bottle of wine in hand.

She walked in, set the bottle down, and looked at him.

“So-what’s the verdict? Are we still on for tomorrow?”

Chase sat on the couch, popped the cork. Slow and deliberate.

“Absolutely.” His voice was steady. “This is the biggest auction in a decade. Best stock in years. We’ve waited

too long to walk away.”

Lena smiled, sat across from him.

“Good.” Her tone turned serious. “Kyle brought his family’s entire savings. Don’t let feelings get in the way.”

Chase poured two glasses and slid one over.

“Relax”

As they drank, the space between them seemed to shrink. Lena shifted closer, finally leaning into him.

Chase frowned and tried to nudge her away. “You should go back to your room.”

She didn’t budge. She looked up and kissed him.

He froze for a second, his hands lifting to push her away, but something in him gave way.

The day’s exhaustion, the humiliation, the anger-it all collapsed into this one moment. He didn’t push her

back.

After a long moment, she pulled back.

Her eyes were hazy, her breath hot.

“Chase. Stop pretending.”

Her voice was barely a whisper, soft and tempting.

“Once or twice, what’s the difference?”

“You’ve wanted me too, haven’t you? Ever since last time.”

Chase said nothing, but his breathing grew heavier.

Lena traced his cheek with her fingers, her voice low and stubborn.

“If not, why did you throw the game? Why give up your wedding?”

She cupped his face and murmured, “I won’t tell Quinn.”

“Just tonight,” she murmured. “That’s all I want.”

“Chase… I loved you first. Before she ever did.”

Her beautiful face was inches away, raw hunger in her eyes.

The whiskey, the certainty, the frustration-it all blurred together. Something inside him finally gave. He let out a long, defeated breath, then lifted her and carried her to the bed.

Still, at that moment, he was sure he was in control.

He didn’t realize that some things, once lost, can never be won back, not even by going mad.