Chapter 24 Gabriel འ I walk out of my building and see Mark standing by the car , he gives me a weak smile that doesnt reach his eyes . Good morning . He opens the back door for me . Hello , I say as I get into the car . We pull out into the traffic and I watch him in the rearview mirror , his face is etched with worry . What is it ? I ask . His eyes heavily . flick up to me . Whats what ? Whats wrong with you ? Nothing . He exhales Dont lie to me , youve been a sad sack of shit all week . 45 He rolls his eyes and keeps driving , and I cant stand it . Pull over . What ? Pull the fucking car over . Why? Because I said so . He pulls the car over to the side and I get out of the car and open his car door . What are you doing ? Im driving today . He stares at me , confused . What the hell am I supposed to do , then ? The Perfect Husbands Secret 3 28.2 % apter 21 Get in the passenger seat , you idiot . Unless you want to walk home . He rolls his eyes and walks around to get into the front passenger seat , and I pull back out onto the road . He looks over at me . What are you doing ? Driving . Why ? Because when Im depressive and moody , you drive me , so now its my turn to drive you . Im not depressive and moody . Good , because thats my position around here . We drive in silence for a while . Depressive isnt even a word , he says casually as he looks out the window . I keep driving . And for the record , youre not depressive , youre just moody , he continues . Well … for the record . I stop at the traffic lights . Im not moody , people are just imbeciles . Are you calling me an imbecile ? One hundred percent . Tell me whats wrong with you . Im driving around this city until you tell me and I dont have time for your bullshit , spit it out . He drags his hand through his hair . Zoe gets married this weekend . My heart sinks . Zoe was his childhood sweetheart who left him when he was on a deployment . She said she couldnt put her life on hold for a man who goes to war . The Perfect Husbands Secret 28.3 % apter 21 Well … I grip the steering wheel . Good riddance to her . He nods sadly . You are seeing someone else , why do you care what Zoe is doing ? I ask as I turn another corner . He shrugs . Im not seeing her anymore . Why not ? just … I compare everyone to her , you know ? I do know . I listen as I drive . And I know we cant be together and I dont even want to be , but … He hesitates . But what ? I ask . Thinking of Zoe takes me back to a time in my life when I was happy and everything was ŝimple because she was the only girl in the world that I wanted . The traffic comes to a standstill . Every woman just seems so average . Amen to that . I thought it was just me . We keep driving in silence . Maybe were just getting old and maybe the thrill we used to get from love has lost its luster , he says . Its possible . Probable , actually . I turn another corner as we drive and an idea comes to mind . call the office . The Perfect Husbands Secret 28.4 % Good morning , Mr. Ferrara , Isabell answers . wont be in today . She hesitates . You have a fully booked day , sir . Reschedule everything . Are you unwell ? she asks . I hit end call . Mind your business , I mutter under my breath . Why did you call in ? Mark asks . What are you doing ? Taking you to Vegas for the weekend . Why ? Gambling , alcohol and strippers , I reply as I drive . You think playing poker , drinking scotch , and fucking multiple high end strippers is going to get me over Zoe ? No. But it will be fun . I glance over at him and he smirks . You owe me four hundred dollars , by the way , I tell him . For what ? Im not being your therapist for free , you know ? He rolls his lips to hide his smile . What kind of therapist offers gambling , alcohol , and cheap sex as treatment ? The fun kind . Twelve months later . I follow the two girls down the pier toward my yacht as they totter along in their skin tight dresses and sky high stilettos , giggling and tipsy . Giovanna has long dark hair and a body to The Perfect Husbands Secret 28.5 % apte $ die for , and Amara is her identical twin . What happens when we get to your yacht ? Amara smiles sexily over her shoulder . You both get on your knees , thats what . I gesture to my yacht . Keep walking . They both laugh as they continue to walk , theyre going to fucking get it . * We We are in St. Tropez in the South of France ; Ive been in Italy for a month and called in here on my way home . We arrive at the yacht , and Mark is waiting at the end of the gangplank . His eyes roam over the two gorgeous women Im with . Evening , sir . Good evening , Mark . He unhooks the black rope to allow access and the two girls laugh and chat as they walk onto my yacht . Lucky prick , he mutters under his breath . Id ask you to join us … He raises his eyebrow , suddenly interested . But I dont share . Fuck you , he whispers . I chuckle and walk across the gangplank and onto my yacht . I look around for the girls . Where are you ? I call . I take the stairs two at a time and once at the top and into my bedroom , I find them both naked and on their knees , waiting for me . My cock thumps in appreciation . Good girls . Violet I read the text from Deb . I need to see you Urgently . Can we have lunch today ? The Perfect Husbands Secret 28.6 % apter Huh ? text her . Whats wrong ? I wait for her reply . Nothing is wrong but I need to see you . Jeez , I wonder if shes fighting with Scott . I have lunch at 12:30 Meet at usual place ? A reply bounces straight back . Okay see you then . Twelve forty , I walk into Chachis to see Debbie sitting at the back , and I wave as I make my way to her . Are you okay ? I ask as I kiss her cheek . Im fine , but you need to sit down . Whats wrong ? I slump into the seat . I could be the worst friend in the world for wrecking this surprise , but Ive been thinking about it all night and I want you to be prepared and not ruin this . For what ? I frown . Russel is going to propose . My face falls . What ? ♡ ( 0 ) ( 0 ) The Perfect Husbands Secret Title: Assigned A Billionaire Husband By The Nation In CrushReel's ongoing romance novel, "Assigned A Billionaire Husband By The Nation," a young woman finds herself without a home after a heart-wrenching breakup with her boyfriend of four years. Following state policy, she is unexpectedly matched with a billionaire spouse, forever altering the course of her life. Amidst themes of love, resilience, and newfound wealth, readers are drawn into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary. 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