Chapter 11: Price Tags and Promises

Actually, I never intended to accept Jonathan’s offer.

My pride was all I had left. Even in this mess, I drew a line—marriage vows might mean nothing to Marcus, but they still meant something to me.

Even though my marriage with Marcus was in name only, I still had my moral bottom line.

But when I got home, I saw on TV that Marcus had spent $15 million to buy a sky-high necklace for a popular actress.

The news anchor’s voice was smooth, but the implication was sharp. Photos of the necklace sparkled on the screen, and the actress’s smile gleamed even brighter.

My hands were trembling as I watched the news.

The remote slipped from my fingers, clattering to the floor. I felt sick to my stomach.

Marcus only gave me $150 a month, but he was willing to spend $15 million on a necklace for someone else.

It was a slap in the face—one I never saw coming. I’d always known he was distant, but I never thought he’d be cruel.

That night, for the first time, I waited for Marcus in the living room.

I sat on the edge of the sofa, staring at the clock, my phone, the empty street outside. My heart pounded in my chest with every tick of the second hand.

I wanted an explanation.

I rehearsed the confrontation a hundred times in my head, but nothing prepared me for the real thing.

At 2 a.m., he finally came home, reeking of another woman’s perfume.

The scent was floral, expensive, and nothing like mine. He didn’t even bother to hide it.

He looked surprised to see me. “Natalie, what are you doing here?”

He sounded annoyed, as if my presence was an inconvenience.

“Waiting for you.”

My voice was steady, even as my hands shook in my lap.

His eyes flickered. “What for?”

He shifted, looking everywhere but at me.

I looked at him calmly. “Did you buy a $15 million necklace for someone else?”

The question hung between us, sharp and unforgiving.

His gaze darkened, and there was a hint of mockery in his eyes.

“Yes. $15 million. I already gave it away. So what? Did you stay up just to ask about this?”

He was almost gleeful, daring me to react.

My fists clenched tighter.

My nails dug into my palms, but I refused to back down.

“Why?”

He laughed. “Why not? It’s just a necklace. She’s a popular actress—she doesn’t even need that $15 million.”

His words were ice cold, like he was talking about the weather—not our marriage.

“Natalie, don’t tell me you want to know why I didn’t give it to you?”

He looked me up and down, dismissive.

“Do you deserve it? Could you ever earn $15 million in your life? You’re just a scheming, money-hungry gold digger.”

He gave me this look—part disgust, part disbelief—like I’d tracked mud onto his white carpet.

He turned to go upstairs. Before leaving, he glanced back at me, full of contempt.

“I never thought the first time you’d wait up for me after marriage would be to ask about a necklace.”

“Natalie, you really are just as I imagined.”

Honestly, I rarely cry. Growing up an orphan made me strong inside.

I learned early on that tears don’t change a thing. But that night, something broke.

But that night, I walked alone through the streets, crying uncontrollably.

I wrapped my arms around myself, shoes clicking on empty sidewalks, the city lights blurring through my tears. It was just me and my grief, nothing else.

I took the address Jonathan had given me and went to his place.

His building was all glass and steel, twenty floors above the city. I stood in the lobby, shivering, my dignity in tatters.

He was surprised to see me.

His eyes widened, concern flickering across his face. For the first time, he looked like he didn’t know what to say.

“$15,000 isn’t enough. I’m not that cheap. I want $150,000.”

My voice was clear, unflinching. If this was the game, I was done playing small.

Jonathan didn’t hesitate. “Okay.”

He said it without blinking, like he’d been waiting for me to ask.

“I want it now.”

“Send me your bank account. I’ll tell finance to transfer it right away.”

The transfer pinged. My phone buzzed. This time, I didn’t feel relief—just the sense that everything was about to change.