A Decade of Misplaced Devotion Chapter 07
“Why do you carry your marriage certificate around?” Stella asked suspiciously.
“Can’t help it.” Lynn shrugged. “Matteo is too hot. Got to fend off anyone with ulterior motives.”
The color drained from Stella’s face. “No way. This can’t be real.”
Her parents snapped out of their shock and rushed up to confront me. “How dare you cheat on Stella? You think we’re pushovers? Explain yourself, or we won’t let you off!”
“Me, cheat on her?” I scoffed. “Stella, why don’t you shout for everyone to hear who the real cheater is? Your side piece is standing right next to you. And the most damning evidence is right in your hand.”
Stella’s lips quivered, words failing her. Her parents saw her hesitation and pieced it together.
Her mother, Miriam Stafford, tried to placate me. “Matteo, there must be a mix-up. Stella has been a good
girl her whole life. She’d never pull something like this.”
“Never?” I sneered, whipping out my phone. “Then feast your eyes on what she has been up to behind
closed doors.”
Ever since Stella started hooking up with Laurent, he’d been sending me evidence of their affairs to rub it
in my face.
I screen-mirrored my phone to the big display for everyone to see. Graphic pictures and chat logs lit up
the room.
The guests erupted in shock, casting judgmental glances at the pair on stage and whispering among
themselves.
Stella’s parents trembled with rage.
Stella went berserk, clawing for my phone. “Turn that thing off! We’re not married yet, and I’m still single. Whoever I date is my freedom. But I swear, once we’re hitched today, it will be you and only you.”
I shut her down cold. “Even if I weren’t married, I wouldn’t touch a woman like you. Oh, and while you’re
the figurehead CEO of the company, I’m the majority shareholder. Starting today, I’m withdrawing all my
investments.”
I had indulged her all these years, so long that she’d forgotten one fact. Everything she and her family
had today came from me.
Though my parents died young, the fortune they left me could buy hundreds of Stafford Groups.
Stella’s eyes went feral-red. “Matteo, you can’t do this to me!”
Her father, Vernon Stafford, slapped her hard. Turning to me, he groveled. “Stella messed up big time, but
I promise, we’ll put her in check. Stafford Group is a joint venture; don’t throw it away over this. She
fooled around with a guy, and you married another girl. Call it even?”
