When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 3

At five thirty, Dorothea stepped out of City Hall with Latham, marriage certificate in hand.

She didn’t even glance at the certificate, just slipped it into her bag. It all felt a little unreal.-

Were they really married now? Wasn’t this way too fast?

Latham glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. “What’s wrong, are you having second thoughts?”

Dorothea shook her head. “No regrets. I just have some things to take care of, so I’ll head out first.”

“Hold on.” Latham reached out, stopping her. “What’s your number?”

Right. They were married now. It would be weird not to at least exchange numbers.

Dorothea rattled off her number. Latham called it right away.

She hadn’t looked at what he’d put in as his name. “You’re...?”

“Latham.”

“How do you spell that?” Dorothea handed him her phone, making it easier.

Latham’s cool fingers brushed her skin as he took the phone, sending a strange shiver up her arm. She glanced at the contact name and nodded. “Alright then. Guess we’re going our separate ways for now?”

She still had to hurry over to Albert’s place and collect her things.

Latham gave a slight nod, his tone flat. “Need a ride?”

“I’ll just grab a cab, thanks.”

They went their separate ways. Not long after, Dorothea’s phone buzzed with a friend request from Latham.

His contact name was simple and direct: your husband.

Dorothea felt her cheeks grow warm as she hit accept.

When it came time to set his nickname, she paused, thinking for a moment before typing, “Sweetie.”

They’d agreed to act like a loving couple for a year. He’d helped her out of a jam, and she’d play her part well. It was just a nickname. It didn’t mean anything.

Meanwhile, Albert still hadn’t replied.

She let out a self-mocking laugh and blocked his number.

…

Dorothea fiddled with her marriage certificate and called her mom.

“Mom, it’s done. I can go through with the marriage alliance like you wanted. But you said before that I could join Dad’s company. I want to change the condition.”

Her dad, Eaton, had been an only child. The hotel he opened before passing away was left for Elise to take care of. After Elise remarried, she lost interest and handed the hotel off to her brother, but she still held all the shares.

Elise sounded impatient. “What do you want now?”

Dorothea’s tone held a trace of sarcasm. “I want all the hotel shares under your name. And Carola has to move out of Cloudhaven Lane.”

Cloudhaven Lane was the little villa where Eaton and Elise had first lived together. It was filled with memories of Dorothea’s childhood. Later, Dorothea moved with her grandparents to a small apartment downtown, and the villa sat empty for years.

Two years ago, Elise had given Cloudhaven Lane to Carola as her personal studio, and now it was full of Carola’s things.

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