THE DIVORCE GAMBIT From Dumped Wife to CEO's Forever novel Chapter 496

If he'd known things would turn out like this, he would have rather drowned than let someone like her save his life.

Katrina smiled and turned to Xavier. “I don’t care who decided Celestial Azure’s owner. All I know is, at Hannah’s birthday celebration in two days, I’m wearing that dress. No discussion.”

“Katrina, you’re going too far!” It was one thing for her to humiliate him—he’d grown used to that. But now she wanted to take Caitlin’s dress? That was the last straw.

He clenched his fists to keep his temper in check. “Who exactly are you threatening?” Katrina’s eyes narrowed. “Xavier, don’t forget, you owe your life to me. I’m only asking for a dress. Are you telling me, in your heart, your so-called savior isn’t even worth a dress?”

Xavier drew a long, steady breath.

His parents had always taught him a real man never raises his hand to a woman. But right now, every nerve in his body screamed to slap Katrina across the face.

Reason won out. He couldn’t do it. He just had to endure.

He couldn’t repay kindness with cruelty.

Forcing himself to stay calm, Xavier looked up. “I’ll talk to Freya about it.”

Katrina’s lips curled in satisfaction. She’d known Xavier wouldn’t dare disobey her, not after she’d saved his life. Her word was gospel to him.

All she needed to do now was wait for Xavier to bring her the Celestial Azure dress.

“And another thing,” Katrina added, “don’t you ever call her ‘Freya’ again. Use her name and nothing else.”

Xavier had never called her “darling.” Why should Caitlin get such a special name?

Smoldering anger darkened Xavier’s eyes.

If this kept up, he really wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold himself together.

No wonder, he thought. No wonder Hannah always said you should marry a good woman. Now he finally understood the weight of those words.

When he stayed silent, Katrina’s gaze sharpened. “Are you deaf?”

“I heard you,” he finally replied.

Satisfied, Katrina stood up and tugged at his hand. “Come on, get off your knees. I can see how sincere you are.”

Expressionless, Xavier rose, carefully locking away every bitter feeling inside.

Katrina wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice soft and affectionate. “Xavier, you know how much I love you. As long as you do what I say, I promise I’ll be the best wife you could ask for. I’ll give you a big family, as many children as you want.”

Maybe Katrina was using her act of heroism for leverage, but her feelings for Xavier were real. She really did want a life with him.

Children? There was a time when Xavier might have imagined that future. But now, the thought alone made his skin crawl. The idea of Katrina having his child felt less like a dream and more like a nightmare.

He needed to change the subject. “Focus on getting better. My grandmother’s birthday is almost here, and I’ve got a lot to handle before then. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow when you’re discharged.”

“Alright.” Katrina nodded, surprisingly agreeable. After all, it was Hannah’s birthday—they both had to be there.

Katrina examined it. “No limit?”

“That’s right,” Xavier said, nodding.

Jeanette’s eyes widened in envy.

Xavier looked at Katrina in the passenger seat. “You two go ahead. I have work to finish up. Text me when you’re ready to head home and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Of course.” Katrina pushed open the door and stepped out. Jeanette followed.

Only after they disappeared into the mall and the elevator doors closed did Xavier finally let out a breath, roll up the windows, and drive away.

Inside the elevator, Jeanette couldn’t keep the awe from her voice. “Katrina, Xavier treats you so well! He just gave you a no-limit card to use however you want.”

Pride sparkled in Katrina’s eyes. “I’m not just his girlfriend, Jeanette. I’m the woman who saved his life. If he doesn’t treat me right, who will?”

Jeanette nodded, but hesitated. “Xavier’s good to you, that’s true. But Katrina, I think you’re pushing him too hard. Yes, you saved his life, but you can’t keep using that as leverage. What if, one day, he stops caring about that?”

Everything Katrina had now was because she was Xavier’s savior. But what if one day, that wasn’t enough?

Jeanette meant well. She was hoping for Katrina to introduce her to someone, after all.

“What do you mean ‘what if’?” Katrina scoffed, rolling her eyes. “It’s not like Xavier’s going to run off with someone else. Listen to me, Jeanette, I’m the one person Xavier can never replace. He’ll never be free of me. Not in this lifetime.”