Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76840 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Four
“I think I’m going to call it a night,” she told Willem and Serenity. It was half past eleven in the evening, but over eighty percent of the paintings had already been sold, while not a single guest had left yet. It spoke volumes about the success of their launch, but Anneke just wasn’t in the mood to celebrate.
“Of course.” Willem pressed a kiss on his sister’s cheek. “Go and have a good night’s sleep. You deserve it.”
After giving her brother’s fiancée a quick hug, she asked very casually, “Is Marcus still around?”
“I believe he went to the balcony.” Serenity’s tone was just as casual.
“Oh.”
“You should let him know you’re leaving if it’s not too much,” Willem slotted in. “It’s the polite thing to do.”
“Yes, you’re absolutely right.” Anneke tried not to let her relief show at the suggestion. “It would let other people know there’s no bad blood between us.”
Turning around, she headed towards the balcony, all the while hating the way her body was trembling so hard at the mere thought of seeing him again.
Alone, possibly?
The insidious thought had her cheeks flushing hot, and she mentally cringed. She really shouldn’t be doing this. But she just couldn’t help it.
Slipping past the curtains behind the balcony doors, she saw Marcus bent over the balustrade, hands clasped before him, and moonlight making his profile seem exotic and dangerous.
Her heart skipped a beat, and when he turned her way, her heart skipped another beat.
Crap.
She should be shunning the sight of him, not excited by it.
Seeing the look of surprise on his handsome face, she stammered, “I didn’t realize you were here.” The words were out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Crap. What was she lying for?
Marcus straightened. “Apologies.” His tone was polite. “You can have the balcony to yourself.”
Her eyes widened. Oh no. Did he think she wanted him to leave?
“I only stepped out for a breath of fresh air.”
She watched him head for the doors dumbly, and it was only when he was reaching for the curtains to lift them out of the way did she get over her shock and blurt out, “You don’t have to go.”
Marcus stilled. Thank fuck. He had been close to giving up on hope when she had spoken. Turning around to face her again, he asked quietly, “Are you certain?”
She gave him a small nod.
That was more than good enough for him. He leaned against the balustrade, making sure to keep enough space between them so she wouldn’t feel crowded or cornered. From the corner of his eye, he saw Anneke rub her bare arms. “Cold?”
“Just a bit—-oh.” Marcus had his jacket off in an instant and was now holding it out to her. “I...umm...”
“I would have done the same thing for anyone else,” Marcus murmured.
“Right.” She took the jacket gingerly from his hand and worked hard not to reveal her unhappiness as she slid her arms into the sleeves. She knew she should be happy about him treating her just like anyone else, but she wasn’t.
There was a moment of silence before Marcus spoke again.
“You look good.”
In the past, he would’ve said she was beautiful. “You, too.” Anneke pulled the jacket around her more tightly, and his scent surrounded her, the only kind of comfort from him that she could afford to take.
He was so clearly over her. Maybe he always had been, but guilt had only made him try asking her back?
“Penny for your thoughts?”
She shook her head.
“A Euro then?”
Despite everything, she found herself smiling a little.
“Or perhaps I could make a guess?” Before she could answer, Marcus continued in a soft murmur, “Perhaps you’re thinking about the divorce.”
Ah. He had brought it up first, when in the past he wouldn’t even have wanted her to talk about the subject. Without meeting his gaze, she asked stiltedly, “Why is it taking so long?”
“My lawyers are the paranoid type, I’m afraid. When they heard from your legal team that you didn’t want anything, it only made them even more suspicious.”
Her jaw dropped, and she couldn’t help turning to him then, protesting, “But I honestly don’t want anything.”
“Si, certo.” Yes, of course. “I know that, and I have told them so, but they do not believe me.” A grimace touched his lips. “And unfortunately, I owe it to my stockholders not to interfere in their job. It would be bad business if they were led to think I’m willfully endangering my company and opening myself up to future court battles. I hope you understand.”
“I do.” She bit her lip. “But if that’s the case, then what will happen to our case?”
“Your legal team and mine will reach a compromise sooner or later. It’s only a matter of time.”
“I see.” Anneke lowered her head to hide her gaze. It meant she’d still be his wife for an indefinite run, and she just didn’t know how to feel about it.