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Chapter 40
Chapter 40
Patricia was the kind of woman who should have been the star of every room–a real head–turner. But after her accident, she’d spent the last two years almost invisible, her beauty, smarts, and talent all wasted on someone who never really saw her. Their marriage was rushed, and the end was even more abrupt.
Back when people found out Theo had married Patricia, every “congratulations” was laced with envy. Who cared if she walked with a limp? She was stunning. That face alone could have every guy in Riverdale lining up just for a chance with her.
Now, everything other people envied about their marriage was slipping away before Theo ever really had it. And he hated it. Hated every second.
The car screeched to a stop by the curb. Theo’s jaw was clenched so tight his whole face looked carved from stone.
Patricia, sitting in the passenger seat, felt a chill crawl up her spine. She glanced sideways at him. “What are you doing?”
Theo slammed the gear into park. “Patricia, I can’t just let this go.”
“So after two years, you just say ‘divorce‘ and that’s it?” she shot back.
Theo’s lips twisted. “Why do you get to decide how this ends?”
Patricia actually laughed, her eyes full of sarcasm as she looked at him. “You really think-”
She didn’t even finish. Theo lunged across the console, trying to pull her in for a kiss. Patricia shoved him off with all her strength and slapped him, hard.
“If you’re so unhappy, go jump off a bridge!” she snapped. “You disgust me.”
Theo glared, his breath coming fast. “Patricia, you wouldn’t even try to be my wife, and now you want a divorce just because I cheated? What does that make you? How is that any different from you forcing me to cheat?”
Patricia’s eyes were ice. “Forcing you? Please. You can’t even control yourself, and now you’re blaming me? Listen to yourself, Theo. You’re just like your mother, except at least she owns up to her mistakes. You? You’re a coward who can’t take responsibility for anything.”
Theo’s chest heaved with anger; he stared at her like he could kill her. For a second, he actually wanted to. If she was gone, at least he wouldn’t have to deal with the shame of being called a jerk who dumped his wife. He didn’t hate Patricia for money. He hated her for threatening his reputation, for making him look bad.
If news of their divorce got out, the gossip would be brutal. He could already hear the whispers, sharp
and relentless.
Patricia’s cold voice cut through his thoughts. “Are you going to drive or just sit here and sulk?”
Theo started the car again and drove them to the courthouse.
They got there just before closing, right at five o’clock. The staff put them through the usual hoops,
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Chapter 40
dragging things out like it was some kind of test.
But Theo hadn’t become the CEO of Newton Enterprises by being a pushover.
When they finally walked out, divorce papers in hand, Theo tucked his copy into his suit pocket. “If you need somewhere to stay, the house is still yours as long as you want.”
“I’ll figure it out,” Patricia said, her voice cool and steady.
Theo gave her a look. “I hope you sort things out soon. The sooner you do, the sooner we can make this public.”
She shot him a sidelong glance. “You’ve got it all wrong, Mr. Newton. I’m not the one in a rush.” “Ms. Miller–or should I call her Ruby–seems pretty eager, don’t you think?”
Let them tear each other apart, Patricia thought. She was honestly curious to see whether Ruby or Nina would come out on top.
She and Theo split at the courthouse steps. Patricia pulled out her phone, snapped a photo of her divorce papers, and posted it to Twitter–just to make things official.
