Filed to story: The Hidden Queen: My Husband’s Mistress Ruined My Empire (Serena & Christian) Book PDF Free
If I could get Serena to sign the divorce papers in time, I silently thought to myself. My ex-wife was proving to be more stubborn than ever when it came to getting this divorce, which was surprising to me.
Immediately she scowled at me “I would but who knows if we’re even having one Christian” she said touchily “Your so-called ex-wife has yet to sign the damn papers” she snapped at me, her expression frosty “So excuse me if I’m more excited about the wedding.”
I smiled winningly at her “Lexi, sweetheart” I coaxed “it’s just a matter of time. I said I’ll speak to her. Do you want me to go and do it now?” I offered, half rising out of my seat in preparation for her answer.
She stared at me mutinously. “No” she snarled “I have a better idea in mind. Since you can’t seem to get your ex-wife out of your mind…” she said in a venomous voice.
“That’s not fair Lexi I’m just trying to get the divorce like you want me to do” I began to protest vehemently, knowing it was futile when she was in this type of mood.
“I want to go shopping. I need new clothes and a new bag” she added, glaring at the handbag she had flung onto the kitchen bench.
“New clothes? Lexi I took you shopping last week” I said lamely.
She folded her arms across her chest “Christian” she said shrilly “I don’t wear anything twice. I need new clothes” She said “Not to mention I have to think about what to wear on our honeymoon” she added as I began to falter.
Why didn’t I go to work today? Why didn’t I have the foresight to see what today would bring? I was a fool. I could feel myself becoming drawn in by Lexi’s winning smile as she directed it at me “Come on Christian” she purred, leaning forward and taking my hand “Just think about all the new lingerie I could get.”
Her mother pretended not to hear. I felt myself becoming aroused by the thought of Lexi in some skimpy baby dolls she wore specifically for me. She looked particularly good in mint green and pastel blue. My throat constricted. Damn. She had me by the balls and she knew it. Any protests I had died in my throat.
“Okay sweetheart” I choked out “let’s go shopping, where do you want to go?” I asked, praying it wasn’t several boutiques.
I knew how much she liked to shop and I was not enjoying the thought of spending the day trudging from store to store.
Lexi gave a squeal of excitement. “Oh, I’ve been dying to check out this new place” she squealed, while her mother looked up with a bright smile “It’s this new boutique or upper fashion store called Sin City. It’s supposed to be really hip and they are all about the environment or some such thing” she muttered looking at me “so that should make you happy as well. I don’t really care so long as they have nice clothes.”
Great. I heaved a sigh and got to my feet, offering my arm to Lexi. “Mother are you coming?” she asked.
Karen smiled “Actually, you know what, I might,” she said agreeably as my spirits plummeted “I could use a nice outfit to wear to the engagement party and even the night of the wedding. Besides, I never turn down the opportunity to go shopping” she added mischievously as she stood up.
As we began to make our way outside, I remembered Lexi mentioning the store had something to do with the environment. Serena would like that, I thought as I helped the women into the waiting limo, it sounded like it was her kind of store. It was a shame that my ex-wife could never afford to go to such an upper-class store, but that just meant I would never have to worry about running into her, I thought with optimism. It turns out that optimism was short-lived.
Serena POV
I don’t know why I let Rachel talk me into this. She had a smug expression on her face, like a cat that got the cream as we stepped out of the car, the boutique was luxurious with huge windows and beautiful displays as we stood in front of it. The entrance was a thing of beauty and the moment you walked in you could tell that it was highly fashionable, with sales assistants floating around everywhere and high price tags to accompany the sought-after garments.
“Sin City,” I said, a little amused by the name “I suppose the prices could be considered sinful,” I said a little jokingly.
Rachel grinned and dragged me to some dresses. I looked them over with a critical eye but was pleasantly surprised to see that they were made of high-quality fabric and none of the seams were imperfect. There were no flaws to be seen. Rachel oohed over the dresses, looking at me with a sidelong glance. “You need to find something sexy for your date tonight” she teased.
“It doesn’t have to be sexy,” I said with my nose in the air “Just classy.”
Still, my fingers lingered on a beautiful champagne-colored dress that had a modest-looking bodice and sleeves but was also backless. It was sexy and different from anything I would ever have attempted to wear when I was with Christian.
“Serena, that’s perfect” Rachel gushed “Grayson will lose his mind when he sees you in that” she added, admiring it “You have to get it” she added in an undertone “I insist. Do not leave this boutique without that dress.”
I hesitated, and then Rachel chose for me, grabbing the dress and laying it carefully over her arms. “I’m not letting you change your mind,” she said shaking her head.
I laughed and gave up. We perused more dresses and Rachel grabbed a good half a dozen or more, while I tentatively grabbed three more before we headed over to the shoe section which had both of us entranced.
“I can’t believe that everything is sustainably sourced,” I said in awe, as Rachel tried on a pair of gold heels with a strap around the ankle, giggling as she did a catwalk in front of me “This stuff is beautiful Rachel.”
“I knew you would like it,” she told me triumphantly, taking the shoes off one at a time and raising an eyebrow at me “See I know you best” she added.
She should. We had known each other for years, I thought to myself with a shake of my head. “Let’s go check out the jewelry,” she said excitedly.
I glanced at the pile we had made. “I’ll take this up to the register for you,” a saleswoman said kindly as we thanked her.
The jewelry was carefully tucked away in the back, diamond rings shimmering beneath the lights. Rachel gasped and looked at me, almost wriggling with excitement. “Serena, how do I choose?” she begged me.
“I thought we were here for me” I mumbled making Rachel look sheepish.
“Well yes, but since I’m already here” she protested while I laughed at the expression on her face.
We both stiffened when we heard a voice behind us. “Maybe you could get my engagement ring from here Christian? They have a gorgeous jewelry selection.”
No way I thought, feeling my body tense, it couldn’t be. Why would a woman such as she, deign to visit a place like this? Another woman’s voice, older, more mature chimed in “What a great idea Lexi, but remember, you don’t want to grab an engagement ring for the sake of it. It has to be on your finger and look good for photos.”
