My Arranged Marriage Husband Was A Beast In Disguise Chapter 07

My Arranged Marriage Husband Was A Beast In Disguise Chapter 07

The three personal shoppers must have gotten under Arthur’s skin, because after that day, he started trying to look like he belonged. 

I had no idea who gave him advice. He walked out wearing two gold chains like he’d robbed a rapper’s closet. 

The comments beat me to it. [This is what it looks like when a 

nice guy tries to be cool.] 

I sighed. That face deserved better than whatever he was 

putting it through. 

“Arthur,” I said. “What are you doing?” 

He must’ve caught the tone. Arthur pivoted instantly, scratching at his neck. “Darlin‘, these chains are pinchin‘ my neck, heh…” 

I had no words. The comments, however, had plenty. 

[The secondhand embarrassment is REAL.] 

[I can’t, how is he this funny.] 

[This is what happens when a golden retriever marries out of his league.] 

Arthur dropped the act soon enough. My birthday was coming 

up, and he had bigger things to panic over. 

My dad used to throw it for me. This year, the job fell to Arthur. 

The man who mopped a mansion without breaking a sweat 

was suddenly a wreck. No more gold chains. No more showing 

off. 

Every morning, he woke up planning. Venue, catering, guest 

list. 

I couldn’t have cared less. 

All I wanted was for the female lead to finally show up so I – the villainess – could pack my bags and bow out gracefully. 

Good news: the female lead showed up. Bad news: I knew her. 

Clara Hayes. Of all people. At my birthday party. The comments erupted the second she walked in. 

[THE FL IS HERE!!] 

[Compared to the villainess and her garbage personality, who 

WOULDN’T fall for someone this sweet?] 

[Ice Queen x Golden Retriever romance is EVERYTHING, I’m 

already waiting for the divorce arc!] 

I narrowed my eyes and watched Clara glide toward me. It had been years since I’d last seen her, and she was somehow more stunning than I remembered. 

Clara lifted her glass with a perfect smile. “Happy birthday, Valerie.” 

I smiled back. The smile didn’t reach my eyes. 

“Thank you.” I didn’t linger. Turned and worked the rest of the room. 

By the time I circled back, Arthur was gone. My first instinct 

was to find him. 

The comments got there first. 

[Just like in the book – the leads meet at the villainess’s birthday party. This is where the MC falls for the FL’s warmth.] 

[A few more rounds of the villainess treating him like trash and the MC will finally wake up.] 

[Wait, has anyone noticed the villainess hasn’t been awful to him in a while??] 

[A leopard doesn’t change its spots. She’s been like this her whole life – she’s faking it.] 

I set my glass down. 

Out of the corner of my eye – Arthur by the lake. Clara beside 

him. 

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they were both 

smiling. 

Arthur looked good tonight. Suit, polished shoes, hair swept 

back. With his mouth shut, he looked like he’d stepped 

straight off a book cover. 

Standing next to Clara like that, they looked like they belonged 

together. 

Was this it, then? The beginning of their story, just like the 

comments said? 

Something tightened behind my ribs. 

I’d planned the whole exit. Step aside, let the real story begin. 

So why… 

Why did it have to be Clara? 

For one sharp, stupid second, I wanted to grab Arthur’s hand 

and leave. 

I actually started to. One step forward. 

Then I saw them exchange numbers. 

My foot froze mid–step, like my shoes were filled with lead. Whatever had been swelling in my chest caved in. 

Forget it. 

Of course. Everyone fell for Clara. Arthur would be no different. 

Who was I to think I could change the script?