Marriage Reunited

Chapter Three

Lilly continued to stare at him in disbelief certain that this must be some kind of sick joke and that any moment now he would laugh and tell her that he was only kidding but he simply remained where he was waiting for her to answer.

            “Is this some kind of joke?” she finally choked out and his expression didn’t change though his eyes hardened slightly at her question.

            “I’m perfectly serious,” he answered calmly and she choked out a harsh laugh that sounded foreign even to her own ears.

            “You’re delusional if you think that’s ever going to happen,” she said scornfully as though the whole idea was disgusting to her which it should have been. She most definitely should not be feeling the faint flicker of lust right now.

            “Is that your final decision?” he asked in that same calm tone as though they were just discussing the weather and she glared at him. Just who the hell did he think he was to make these kinds of demands?

            “You know I would never come back to you,” she said in disgust and he shrugged as he moved behind his desk and took a seat.

            “If that’s your final decision then fine. I trust you can see yourself out,” he told her as he picked up a file and began reading apparently done with their conversation. Lilly stared at him for a few minutes certain that he was just punishing her. Surely he wouldn’t just let her walk out of here knowing that her family could die if he didn’t help her. But he didn’t so much as glance her way or even show any sign that he knew she was still there.

            “You’re really not going to help me?” she finally asked as it sank in that he wasn’t just playing games.

            “I told you my condition Lilly. It was your choice not to accept it,” he reminded her and she gritted her teeth. If she had thought that she hated him before it was nothing to the white hot rage she was feeling right now.

            “My family could die if you don’t help me,” she told him angrily and he did glance at her then with ice cold eyes that struck straight through her and sent shivers down her spine.

            “I offered my help and you chose not to accept,” he again reminded her.

            “Your offer was completely unreasonable,” she countered and again was that broad shrug that said he really didn’t care how she saw it.

            “Yet it is the only one you are going to get. I am not running a charity here Lilly,” he warned her and she ran her hands roughly through her hair unaware of several tendrils coming loose as she fought for control.

            “I’m not after charity. I could take you through the divorce courts and demand half of everything you have instead,” she threatened and he narrowed his eyes on her making her mouth run dry with sudden nervousness.

            “Try it darling,” he said with that same predatory smile that was starting to make her uneasy.