Husband With Benefits

Seb sat in his study as he waited for his laptop to power on. He’s set the ultimatum down in front of her yesterday and received his answer for now. It seemed she had decided to avoid him for the time being. He shrugged. She could do what she wanted until he made her come around. Divorce was not an option.

Finally, the sluggish laptop was powered on and his assistant’s face appeared on the screen," Mr Frost, there are no urgent matters for today, save one. Its Miss Emma. She is insisting I arrange a meeting with you."

Seb frowned. Who was this Miss Emma? The name seemed familiar, but he definitely did not know any such person...

The assistant, of course recognized the expression, and tentatively cleared his throat before explaining, "She’s the woman you were involved with before you married Miss Olivia. The one you asked to send a ’break-up’ gift to before I arranged for things at the civil affairs bureau."

Recognition dawned on Seb, followed swiftly by irritation. "Oh, her," he muttered, his frustration evident. He hadn’t even slept with her and she wanted more? "What does she want now?"

The assistant hesitated for a moment before responding, "She refused to accept the gift and instead demanded a meeting with you. Since you instructed us to give her whatever she wanted, I arranged the meeting."

Seb let out a resigned sigh, running a hand through his hair. " You do know that is not what I meant. Fine, set it up. Dinner, whatever she wants. I’ll deal with it."

"Yes, sir. Would you be able to make it today? For seven?"

"Fine. Arrange the pilot. I’ll be there."

Olivia hurried to her room with the words resonating in her head. Dam* it! It was always bad to eaves drop and today had proven that saying. She had not meant to eavesdrop. Simply wanting to reason with him. But then she’d heard his assistant talk about arranging a dinner meeting with his ex because Seb had instructed that she be given whatever she wanted.

Olivia sank onto the edge of the bed, her mind swirling with a tumult of emotions. Betrayal, hurt, and anger coiled tightly within her chest, threatening to suffocate her. Did he really care for this other woman? For the last three days she’d been enduring silent lunches and dinners, on his insistence that they have this farce of a marriage. And yet, here he was, ready to fly away at the crook of his mistress’ finger.

She stilled as she heard him knock on her door. Did he come here to tell her he was leaving? Would he now lie to her? Taking a deep breath, she cleared her throat and asked,"What is it?"