Seducing the Billionaire's Wife(41)

“Oh, sweet Lord,” his dad muttered. “If that’s the kind of nonsense you spouted at her, then I don’t blame her for leaving you.”

“She didn’t leave me.” Yet, she had.

You sent her away.

She could have fought harder.

How—by handcuffing herself to you?

“Marriage takes work. You know this, son. You’re an intelligent man.”

“I made her miserable.”

“You refused to compromise,” his dad said, pointing out the obvious. “Did you think that marriage wouldn’t change you? That being responsible for another person wouldn’t make demands of you?”

“I couldn’t… I started putting her first, and I got scared.” Drew’s hands involuntarily clenched into fists at his confession. “When I was with her, away from here and all my responsibilities, I was not the same man. I didn’t care about board meetings, conference calls… Montgomery Industry. All I cared about was Hannah—being with her, talking to her—”

His dad started laughing. “You fell in love, you idiot. That’s what happened.”

“I’m not saying I don’t love her.”

“I’m saying you do love her and if you knew what was best for you, then you’d go to her, get down on your knees, and beg for her forgiveness. That woman dropped everything to help you. Everything.”

“Only because I called in the IOU she’d given me.” Drew twisted his lips. “She’ll never take me back, no matter how hard I beg.”

“Then make it so she can’t say no to you. Give her a reason to take another chance on you.”





Chapter Fifteen







Hannah finished the last item on her checklist earlier than expected and headed to the grand foyer to wait for her grandparents to arrive. They had planned a fish fry for the evening, with the majority of the staff expected to attend.

But instead of her grandparents waiting for her, a man wearing a suit stood in the middle of the foyer.

“Can I help you?” she asked, her heart starting to pound in her chest.

“I’m here to see Hannah Montgomery,” he said as he turned to face her.

“Drew,” she whispered.

The reminder of their former marriage hurt. It hurt so badly that her heart started breaking all over again. She couldn’t keep letting him do that to her. “Sorry. Don’t know her. If she was a guest, then you’re too late. We’re closed.”

He inclined his head. “I deserve that.”

“Yes, you do.”

“My father told me that I should get down on my knees and beg for your forgiveness.”

She raised a brow. “That might have worked if you’d come last week.”

“I know I’m not a perfect man, much less a perfect husband, but what I do know is that I’m not perfectly whole when you’re gone. Since I sent you away, I’ve been miserable.”

There was no way she’d let his words sway her. His words meant nothing, no matter how romantic. “How is your dad?” she asked, and his mouth quirked at the corner, that dimple of his appearing.

“He’s not the reason why I’m miserable. Although, he does his best to contribute to my misery,” he said. “He’s doing much better. Thank you.”

“Are you back because I’m still the most convenient woman for you to marry in the name of Montgomery Industry? Or because you still have my stupid IOU?” She had to say it. There was no way she’d ever let him talk her into marrying him… again. He was already married to MI. He’d shown it with every word, with every missed date… and his refusal to try to compromise.

“I love you, Hannah.” The words washed over her. Why did he have to wait until now to tell her that? “And I’m sorry I didn’t bend when I should have. I’m sorry for asking you to bend to the point of breaking.” His hand went to his pocket, and he pulled out a small box tied with a pink ribbon. “This is my apology. Whenever. Wherever. I’m ready to do whatever you require.”

He held it out to her, and for a moment, she considered taking it and chunking it into the ocean. Instead, she tipped up her chin and took the stupid thing, crushing it in her hand.

“Thanks.”


Drew had lost. He’d tried, but he had lost the battle.

But not the war, he reminded himself. If he had to come apologize to her every day for the rest of their lives until she forgave him, then he would do it. Even if she chose another.

Because it was the right thing to do. Because he loved her.

“Anyway, open that and let me know what you think.”

Her chin turned stubborn. “I’ll be sure not to do that.”