The CEO's Unwanted Wife novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: What Vanessa Wants

"Why wouldn't you tell him?" I asked.

Vanessa tilted her head, still smiling.

"Because he'd tear it up and keep you," she said. "That's what men like Dalton do with things they didn't know they wanted. I'd rather not live through that."

A student pushed through the revolving door behind us, and she waited until he was gone.

"Walk with me. It's a lovely afternoon."

We walked out onto the river path with the paper cups warm in our hands.

The water was flat and grey, and a rowing team went by in a long line, shouting numbers.

"You're going to Zurich," she said. "I saw the airline email on your phone this morning, when you set it down."

I had left it on the arm of the chair while I dug my wallet out of my bag.

It had been face up for less than a minute, and that was enough for her.

"The fellowship begins in a week," I said carefully. "I'd like to go and do my work."

"Of course you would. You're brilliant, Linnea. Dalton never said it, but we all know."

She stopped at a bench and did not sit.

"Here's my honest problem. The Merrow Foundation gala is Saturday night. Stanford is going to name Dalton chairman on the stage. The cameras will be there, the papers will be there, and everyone will want to know who is standing beside him."

"His wife."

"For two more days, yes. And I'd like it not to be a question mark when the lights come up."

"So you want me gone before Saturday."

"I want you to have a wonderful new life," Vanessa said sweetly. "And I'd like to help."

← Chapter 3 · All chapters · Chapter 5 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend