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“May I have five minutes to talk to my client in private?”

Or I can just ask my lawyer for a recap since it’s apparently too late, and everything that needs to be discussed has already been discussed.

Adriano glances at Ruel before responding. “Of course.”

I’m not sure what to feel when Ruel doesn’t even look my way as they leave the room. But when Fredericka quietly tells me about Ruel’s conditions for the divorce…

My feelings about it are unequivocal.

“You’re telling me he won’t sign⁠—”

And it has me in tears.

“If I don’t accept a monthly stipend?”

Fredericka shows me a document prepared by Adriano’s office in advance, which provides an itemized breakdown of what that stipend amounts to. He basically wants to take care of everything for me my entire life, and it just makes me cry harder.

“He’s always too nice,” I choke out.

Fredericka hands me a box of tissues, and I can only be thankful the men aren’t here as I blow my nose.

“Take your time, Karyna,” she says gently. “You don’t have to make a decision right away.”

I crumple the used tissue into a ball, and by the time I throw it in the waste basket, I’ve made up my mind.

Fredericka steps out of the office to inform the other side of my conditions, and five minutes later, it’s…not my lawyer who walks back in.

Instead, it’s Ruel, and he looks ready to bite my head off.

"Just sign the damn papers," he says, his jaw clenched.

I shake my head. "I'm done being a burden to you. I want a divorce on my terms⁠—"

"Your terms are the height of idiocy," he snaps.

Maybe it is in his eyes, but I don’t care.

"I want to earn my keep⁠—"

"Then don't touch my money," he growls. "Just keep it⁠—"

"If you want this divorce," I interrupt him shakily, "then it should be on my terms."

He stares at me like he’s just one second away from strangling me for real, and I barely manage to stand my ground.

The room is so quiet I’m worried he might be able to hear how hard my heart is pounding.

“I’m serious,” he says finally.

Well, so am I!

Those are the words I’ve already opened my mouth to say, but I end up changing my mind when I see how he’s glaring at me.

"If you haven't signed these papers by tomorrow," he warns, "you will never have your freedom.”

My eyes widen. Is he saying⁠—

“I'll keep you as my wife, for better or for worse."