Chapter 6
ANNA’S POV
Nate stated he was taking me shopping as he pulled up to a posh store. My eyes grew wide as I followed him inside and took in how luxurious the place was.The walls were adorned with rows of designer suits and beautiful gowns, while a staff of helpful salespeople stood nearby, ready to help.
I muttered, “Nate, I can’t possibly afford anything in here,” as my fingers cautiously touched the material of a dress nearby. Unfortunately, I no longer had access to my husband’s money, just mine.
He waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, already calling the attention of one of the saleswomen. “I’ve got this covered.”
He scanned the racks intensely with his eyes and then reached out to pluck a stunning navy blue gown from its hanger.
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“Ah, perfect. This is the one.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded. “Nate, I can’t let you-”
“Shh,” he interrupted, pressing a finger to my lips. “Don’t even think about it. This is my treat.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the saleswoman was already whisking me away, guiding me towards the dressing
rooms. Within the next half–hour, I was transformed into a literal goddess.
The makeup artists and hair stylists worked their magic, and when I finally emerged, I could hardly recognize myself.
Nate strolled in then, looking dashing in a flawless white suit. He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but then quickly closed it, a strange look passing over his face.
“Well?” I prompted, quirking an eyebrow, expecting him to compliment me.
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“Well, we should probably get going,” he murmured, reluctantly breaking the
moment. “Wouldn’t want to be late for the gala, now would we?”
“You‘ re not going to comment on my look?”
“You look okay,” he said hastily, and I didn’t resist the urge to call him a jerk under my breath.
As the limousine pulled up to the grand entrance of the gala, my heart began to race. The driver opened the door for Nate, and like the perfect gentleman, he helped me step outside, his hand lingering on the small of my back.
The moment we stepped onto the red carpet, the flashing of cameras almost blinded me.
Nate linked his arm with mine as we made
our way into the hall, and my eyes fell first. on my estranged husband and his mistress.
Caden’s eyes popped wide as he took in my
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transformed appearance, and his
expression quickly shifted from shock to
annoyance.
“So, this is your new catch, isn’t it?” He scoffed, his gaze fixed on Nate with undisguised disapproval.
I felt a rush of anger immediately. “Nate is my date for the evening.”
Caden’s face twisted into a look of disbelief, and I could see the vein in his temple starting to throb. “So, this is the man you’ve been cheating on me with?” he hissed. “Have you forgotten that you’re still a married woman?”
I couldn’t believe the audacity of this man, standing there with Jessica on his arm, accusing me of cheating. My blood boiled with rage as I glared at him, my hands. balled into fists at my sides.
“Cheating?” I asked through gritted teeth. “How dare you, Caden? I have never, ever cheated on you, not once. But you, you had
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the nerve to betray me with this… this
woman.”
Caden scoffed, his eyes narrowing. “Oh, please, Anna.
Don’t act so innocent. We both know-
Before he could finish his sentence, Nate stepped forward in a commanding manner.
“I think you better back off and watch that mouth of yours, Caden. Or have you forgotten that you’re the one who cheated on your wife, and you’re standing here with the evidence right now?”
Caden’s face flushed with anger, and he jabbed a finger at Nate’s chest. “How dare you interfere in my personal business? This is between me and my wife!”
“Your wife?” Nate scoffed. “Last time I
checked, you were the one who broke your
vows. You don’t get to play the victim here, pal.”
Jessica, sensing the tension, quickly
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stepped in, her long, claw–like fingers wrapping around Caden’s arm. “Oh, come on, baby, let’s not make a scene. They’re not worth it.”
Caden hesitated, his jaw clenching, but he allowed Jessica to lead him away.
About half an hour later, Nate had been pulled away by a group of important- looking businessmen, and I was standing by the refreshment table.
Suddenly, I was met with the smug, self- satisfied gaze of Jessica.
“Oh, Anna, I feel just awful for you,” she said with a condescending smile. “Tell me, did you have to bribe Nate Powers to be your date for the evening? I can’t even imagine how desperate you must feel.”
I shot her an annoyed look. “Bribing Nate? What are you talking about?”
She gave a shrug of her shoulders. “Oh,
come on, we all know Nate Powers doesn’t just take anyone to these high–profile
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events. You must have had to pull some serious strings to get him to be your date tonight.Unless, of course, you‘ re sleeping with him too.”
I felt my blood boil, and before I knew it, she reached out, knocking over a nearby scented candle. It landed on the hem of her dress and within seconds caught a small fire.
Jessica let out an ear–piercing scream, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity.
“Help! Help, someone!” She shrieked, her eyes wide with panic. “Anna, you monster! You tried to set me on fire!”
Everywhere grew chaotic as guests rushed to help her while I just stood there, frozen
in shock.
Caden came rushing through the crowd, his face twisted with rage. He managed to put out the fire as quickly as he could.
“What the hell is going on here?” he
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bellowed, his gaze settling on me. “Anna,
how could you?”
“She tried to hurt me, Caden!” Jessica wailed, about to start shedding crocodile. tears. “I was just standing here, and she knocked over that candle and set my dress
on fire!”
Caden’s eyes narrowed, and he looked like he was going to pounce on me. “This is a new low, even for you. How could you be so wicked and heartless?”
