Page 17 of Bad Husband

“How can you say I don’t care?” I take a seat on the bed, facing her. “You have more than enough money, and you never have to ask me for anything. If you want something, you know I’ll give it to you.”

“You’re hardly home anymore.”

“Because I’m working and providing for you and our boys!”

When she lifts her eyes to mine, pain clouds them. “Ineverasked you to marry me, Ridley.”

For a moment, I freeze, my mouth open and my eyes wide with shock. Did she really just say that to me? I know what she’s referring to. Madison got pregnant with Callan when we were in college, and by most standards, he was an accident. “But I did, marry you,” I tell her, hoping she understands I didn’t do it because I had to.

She’s somewhat quiet, but if her thoughts were spoken, she’d be screaming at me with the look I’m getting. “And now you’re married to your job.”

Do you see that guy on the bed? The one where his blood pressure is through the roof and he’s about ready to explode on his wife? That guy is losing it. In a matter of seconds.

“You’re so focused on running your business you’ve forgotten about us, Ridley.” She sits forward and it does nothing for my focus because I have a clear vision of her breasts hanging out of her nightgown. “And I’m not doing it anymore. So yeah, I want a divorce. I’m not sure I’m in love with you anymore because the truth is, I don’t even know who you are. And I bet you don’t know me anymore either.”

I should be insulted, really. “That’s not true.”

“Really? You don’t think so?” The look on her face makes me want to kiss and strangle her at the same time. If there’s any woman who’s ever gotten on my nerves more than anyone else, it’s Madison.

“No, I know you.” I look at the ceiling, pretending to be deep in thought but I’m not. I’m thinking about her tits and wishing my dick was between them.

“Okay, what do I eat for breakfast every morning?”

Well shit. Could she have picked a more complicated question? Don’t answer that. She could have. “Eggs?”

“Exactly my point. I’m allergic to eggs, Ridley.”

“I meantnoteggs,” I say, trying to backtrack. I knew she was allergic to eggs but it was the first thing to come to mind, and I panicked. I don’t even know what I’m saying. I’m not even sure I’m making any sense.

I’m not entirely sure what to do or say next because there’s certainly some truth to her words I hadn’t seen until now. So I take my shirt off and throw it on the floor, intending on getting into bed completely naked. I don’t take my shorts off just yet; instead, I raise my brows suggestively and flop myself on the bed. She’s flustered, and I’m high-fiving myself. “How about I show you just how much I know you?”

Madison loves to be controlled in bed. What woman doesn’t from time to time? They want you to treat them like a fucking lady but every now and then, they want you to grab a fist full of their hair and pull it like you fucking mean it. I’m ready to do that if it means she’ll forget all about this divorce bullshit.

Still avoiding eye contact, she grimaces slightly and stands near the bathroom door. “You’re not sleeping in the room with me. Go sleep on the couch.”

I knew that was coming.

Before she’s out the door and into the bathroom, my voice stops her. “Mad?”

She turns to me, her eyes questioning.

I point to myself. “I’m not giving up.”

Then she meets my gaze full on. I don’t smile because part of me knows what she’s about to say. It’s written on her face long before the words are spoken. “Ridley… Didn’t you hear anything I said?” Her eyes drop, leaving me with inexplicable emptiness. “I don’t….” she pauses and then continues, her tone sinking as I listen with rising dismay, “love you anymore.”

Fuck, that stings. Way to curb stomp my heart. I really wish you wouldn’t have heard that part. Look away next time. Save me some fucking dignity already.

My jaw tenses, my grip on the pillow tightening. “Did you ever love me?”

She lifts her chin, meeting my icy gaze straight on. “Pre-business owning Ridley, yes, but I don’t know this guy in front of me… anymore.”

I clench my jaw tighter before saying, “I suppose that’s all I needed to know. Good night, Madison.”

Just like that, Madison Cooper has me at her mercy, but I tend to think she doesn’t know what the fuck she’s talking about. How is it possible for her not to love me anymore?

It’s not. At least not in my eyes. Remember that college professor who gave me the C? Ask him how determined I am.

So the way I see it, I have a few options. I can give her the divorce. I can tell her no and string this out with lawyers and make her life miserable, or, I can make her fall back in love with me.

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