The Woman Trapped in a Sexless Marriage - Chapter 32: Chapter 32
You are reading The Woman Trapped in a Sexless Marriage, Chapter 32: Chapter 32. Read more chapters of The Woman Trapped in a Sexless Marriage.
Before I could even process what was happening, Brian Anderson was already wincing and motioning for me to hurry up. With a reluctant sigh, I quickened my pace and slid into the seat beside him.
"Miss Roland, I presume? A pleasure." The moment I sat down, a deep, velvety voice washed over me, followed by a perfectly manicured hand extended in greeting.
That hand was ridiculously elegant—who was this guy? Dazed, I lifted my gaze.
And there he was.
Sharp, sculpted features. A jawline that could cut glass. Deep-set eyes that held an unsettling intensity. Lips that were—unfairly—soft and pink. The whole package was so unreal it felt like staring at a painting.
Right now, he was holding out his hand with effortless grace, his expression unreadable, his gaze steady.
Oh my God.
My eyes widened as realization slammed into me like a freight train.
This man—wasn't he the one I'd slept with five years ago?
And worse… I'd had his baby.
How had I not put it together sooner? This was the exact place where it had all happened. A man like this—impossible to forget—couldn't possibly be some nobody. When Brian mentioned he was the city's top entrepreneur, alarm bells should have gone off. Instead, I'd waltzed right into the lion's den like an idiot.
This was bad.
Five years ago, I'd treated him like a cheap fling—even left two hundred bucks on the nightstand like some kind of payment. Given who he was, there was no way he'd just let that slide…
My mind spiraled into chaos, and I didn't take his outstretched hand.
Julian Valentin's gaze was unnervingly still, watching me without so much as a flicker of emotion.
When I didn't return the handshake, he didn't react—didn't pull back, didn't get angry. Just arched a single brow, studying me like I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.
The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.
Brian, sensing the tension, pinched my thigh under the table and hissed, "Vivian, shake his damn hand."
The sharp pain snapped me back to reality.
Mr. Valentin. So I'd actually managed to piss off someone that powerful?
But… he showed no sign of recognition. Did he really not remember me?
Of course he didn't. A man like him—gorgeous, loaded, influential—would have women throwing themselves at him daily. I was just another forgettable fling. Why would he remember a one-night stand from five years ago?
Relief flooded through me, and I finally exhaled, forcing a composed smile as I extended my hand. "Mr. Valentin, my apologies for the delay. I was just… momentarily stunned."
I even managed a light laugh, playing it off. "Your presence is a little overwhelming, if I'm being honest."
The corner of Julian's mouth twitched—almost a smirk. "Miss Roland has quite the sense of humor."
With the tension broken, Brian finally relaxed, quickly making introductions before excusing himself. "I'll let you two discuss business. I need to check if the pastry chef has any new desserts today."
And just like that, he bolted, leaving me alone with him.
Awkward silence settled over the table. Determined not to draw any more attention, I kept my head down, absently stirring my coffee.
Julian Valentin. The name suited him.
The soft clink of the spoon against the cup was the only sound until Julian finally spoke. "So, Miss Roland. What kind of business are you looking to start? And why should I invest in it?"
The moment the conversation shifted to my expertise, my nerves steadied. I'd spent years as a secretary—I knew business inside and out. Teaching had just been a personal choice, a way to go back to my roots.
"Miss Roland, I presume? A pleasure." The moment I sat down, a deep, velvety voice washed over me, followed by a perfectly manicured hand extended in greeting.
That hand was ridiculously elegant—who was this guy? Dazed, I lifted my gaze.
And there he was.
Sharp, sculpted features. A jawline that could cut glass. Deep-set eyes that held an unsettling intensity. Lips that were—unfairly—soft and pink. The whole package was so unreal it felt like staring at a painting.
Right now, he was holding out his hand with effortless grace, his expression unreadable, his gaze steady.
Oh my God.
My eyes widened as realization slammed into me like a freight train.
This man—wasn't he the one I'd slept with five years ago?
And worse… I'd had his baby.
How had I not put it together sooner? This was the exact place where it had all happened. A man like this—impossible to forget—couldn't possibly be some nobody. When Brian mentioned he was the city's top entrepreneur, alarm bells should have gone off. Instead, I'd waltzed right into the lion's den like an idiot.
This was bad.
Five years ago, I'd treated him like a cheap fling—even left two hundred bucks on the nightstand like some kind of payment. Given who he was, there was no way he'd just let that slide…
My mind spiraled into chaos, and I didn't take his outstretched hand.
Julian Valentin's gaze was unnervingly still, watching me without so much as a flicker of emotion.
When I didn't return the handshake, he didn't react—didn't pull back, didn't get angry. Just arched a single brow, studying me like I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.
The silence stretched, thick and suffocating.
Brian, sensing the tension, pinched my thigh under the table and hissed, "Vivian, shake his damn hand."
The sharp pain snapped me back to reality.
Mr. Valentin. So I'd actually managed to piss off someone that powerful?
But… he showed no sign of recognition. Did he really not remember me?
Of course he didn't. A man like him—gorgeous, loaded, influential—would have women throwing themselves at him daily. I was just another forgettable fling. Why would he remember a one-night stand from five years ago?
Relief flooded through me, and I finally exhaled, forcing a composed smile as I extended my hand. "Mr. Valentin, my apologies for the delay. I was just… momentarily stunned."
I even managed a light laugh, playing it off. "Your presence is a little overwhelming, if I'm being honest."
The corner of Julian's mouth twitched—almost a smirk. "Miss Roland has quite the sense of humor."
With the tension broken, Brian finally relaxed, quickly making introductions before excusing himself. "I'll let you two discuss business. I need to check if the pastry chef has any new desserts today."
And just like that, he bolted, leaving me alone with him.
Awkward silence settled over the table. Determined not to draw any more attention, I kept my head down, absently stirring my coffee.
Julian Valentin. The name suited him.
The soft clink of the spoon against the cup was the only sound until Julian finally spoke. "So, Miss Roland. What kind of business are you looking to start? And why should I invest in it?"
The moment the conversation shifted to my expertise, my nerves steadied. I'd spent years as a secretary—I knew business inside and out. Teaching had just been a personal choice, a way to go back to my roots.
End of The Woman Trapped in a Sexless Marriage Chapter 32. Continue reading Chapter 33 or return to The Woman Trapped in a Sexless Marriage book page.