Chapter 15

Nadine's eyes widened when she heard Brad's conditions, which she thought came close to crumbling her belief system. She gaped at the competent-looking man before her, unable to believe what she just heard. Ten million dollars in compensation for his loss of youth, he'd said. Had she simply misheard him, or was his brain fried? Nadine had never heard of any woman having to compensate a man for his loss of youth, especially when the man in question was filthy rich. Where did he get the gall to demand such an astronomical sum from her? Nadine was so shocked that words escaped her. Brad smirked as he surveyed the astonishment on her face. He loosened his tie and gazed down at her imperiously. Nadine hadn't worked since marrying into the Hamilton family. She didn't have money, let alone ten million dollars. The huge sum should have ended any talk of the divorce. Brad would never let Nadine have the final say about their marriage. It took a while for Nadine to come to her senses after Brad's alarming conditions made her freeze. She stared at him disappointedly and said, "I'll find a way to come up with the money, but I must have full custody of Sean." She knew what Brad was trying to do. He knew very well that she had no money. That was why he could so brazenly look down his nose at her and demand that she pay him ten million dollars. Nadine took in his flawless profile. Every inch of him seemed to exude competence and elegance. He was the portrait of a refined gentleman with his handsome features and attractive physique. If he ever made his debut in the entertainment industry, he would have quickly become an A-list celebrity and beaten out all the other pretty boys in the circle. Not even the dim lighting in the corridor could mar his perfect looks and regality. Brad thought there was no way Nadine could cough up ten million dollars. He had expected her to say no to that one absurd condition. But she surprised him by agreeing to it. This time, he saw a steely resolve in her eyes that he had never seen before. Determination was an unfamiliar look on her. Just then, he felt something cold prick the back of his hand. He glanced down to see clear drops of liquid falling on his knuckles, spreading out before cascading down his skin. All he felt was a sharp sting, the feeling so abject that he had to let go of Nadine's arms. Brad backed away and stood next to her. He leaned against the wall and silently lit a cigarette. The reddish-yellow spark that consumed the end of the cigarette as he took his first drag added a warm glow to his face. Nadine stood there without saying anything, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried silently. They stood in the corridor, leaning against the wall like two lifeless sculptures. After a long pause, Brad frowned and took one final drag of his cigarette before snubbing it. He threw it on the ground and stomped on it for good measure. When he was done, he stalked toward Nadine. Rage rolled off his skin, but by the time Nadine sensed the danger coming her way, it was too late for her to run. She had barely begun her escape when he hauled her by the collar and pinned her to the wall. She couldn't even struggle before his cold lips slanted against hers in a hard, demanding kiss. The faint smell of tobacco filled her nose and mouth, making her choke. She let out a few coughs, but they were silenced when Brad's lips found hers again. Her eyes watered from the stinging taste of tobacco. Just as she forced back her tears when fresh rivulets rolled down her cheeks once more. Nadine did not miss the savage look in Brad's eyes as he pinched her chin. Biting her lip and threatening to draw blood from them, he growled, "Is Tyler so great that you're willing to go to such lengths for him?" Nadine tried to break free and bit his lip with the same ferocity. "No, this has nothing to do with him!" she roared. "I—" The rest of her words were swallowed up by another rough kiss, leaving her whimpering and mewling in protest. One of the housekeeping staff came by to clean the bathroom but hurried off when she stumbled upon them in the corridor. She had caught the vicious gleam in Brad's eyes; there was nothing human about it. Brad seethed dangerously, "Listen carefully, Nadine. You don't get a final say about our marriage. I'm the one who gets to decide whether we divorce or not! "You have no right to bring up the matter! If I hear the word 'divorce' coming out of your mouth one more time, I'll make sure you never see Sean again!" Rage and warning punctuated each of his words. It felt like he was carving his warning into her flesh, striking fear into her system. He was like some vengeful creature from hell as he tore at her lips, the taste of copper filling both their mouths. Brad was furious, and he was determined to punish Nadine. Every bite he gave her was hard and sharp. Nadine frowned at the pain and tried to push him away, but she only succeeded in tempting the beast in him instead. Brad pushed her dress until it bunched around her waist, exposing her long, slender legs. He growled at the enticing, helpless sight of her. They had shared a bed for five years, and in that time, Brad had gotten very familiar with Nadine's body. Her sensitive body prickled at the contrast between the icy wall against her back and the heat of Brad's body. They were at the staircase landing that every maid would pass through in their housekeeping routine. Nadine's body was coiled tight as she thought about being seen by the housekeeping staff, but as soon as her body tensed, Brad took advantage of it. He turned her around and pinned her against the icy wall. She snapped irritably, "Can you please learn to contain yourself so you don't go into heat at the most random times? People can see us! It's embarrassing!" Behind her, Brad paid no mind to her grousing as he gripped her waist. In the end, Nadine couldn't defy him at all. Color crept into her cheeks as she barked, "Why don't you go and die in a ditch somewhere, asshole?" Brad chuckled humorlessly. "As if I would give you that satisfaction. Seems to me you want a second round." Nadine's breath hitched when she heard footsteps approaching, worried someone might see her in this state. Snorting, Brad eyed her with unbridled arrogance and triumph. "Like I said, don't bring up the divorce again, or you'll never see Sean again!" Nadine glowered at Brad hatefully, looking like some pathetic creature that had nearly drowned as she shrunk into the corner of the landing. She hated Brad for being such a domineering jackass, but she hated herself more for being such a coward. Knees weak, she leaned against the wall for support and said hoarsely, "I thought Jean was the love of your life. If we get a divorce, you won't have to hide your relationship with her anymore. "If you love her that much, wouldn't you want to make an honest woman out of her?"