Chapter 17
Chapter 17: “Dissolute?”’ Belinda scoffed, looking up at Kristopher’s sharply defined face. “I just touched a guy’s abs. It’s not as scandalous as you’re making it out to be.”’ “You’re upset with my words?”’ Kristopher responded, his eyes blazing with fury as he grasped her chin. “A married woman, making contact with men in a nightclub, embracing them on stage. Tell me, am I mistaken?”’ Belinda’s brows furrowed as she tried to pull away from his grip. “I’m no longer married. We’re divorced! I’m single now. Whether I choose to touch a guy’s abs or bring someone home, it’s not your concern!”’ Kristopher’s gaze darkened, his tone laced with a threatening edge. “I don’t remember agreeing to any divorce.”’ His fingers tightened excruciatingly on her chin, the pressure mounting. “Belinda, unless I sign those papers, you remain Mrs. Cox, bound by marriage!”’ The sharp pain clouded Belinda’s thoughts, and she instinctively grabbed his arm. “Release me!”’ The disparity in their strength was overwhelming. Despite her best efforts, Belinda couldn’t loosen his hold. His fingers clamped down even harder on her chin. Trapped, with no escape, Belinda’s frustration boiled over. “Why haven’t you signed the divorce papers yet? I’ve decided to divorce you so you can be with your beloved Cathy. Haven’t I sacrificed enough? For the past three years, your indifference to me was clear. Our marriage was never public, your mind always on Cathy. The moment she returned, I filed for divorce to clear the way for her. Isn’t that enough for you? Why won’t you release me? Why keep me bound to you?”’ Her fierce outburst caused Kristopher’s grip to loosen. He scowled. “Whatever I have with Cathy doesn’t concern you.”’ Belinda tried to wriggle free, but to no avail. More updates uploaded to Irritated, she snapped, “Alright, I won’t bother with you two. It’s fine if you don’t divorce me. But don’t mess with me while I’m unwinding at a bar, feeling a guy’s abs!”’ Kristopher fixed her with a piercing gaze, then abruptly seized her wrist. Belinda, taken aback, attempted to reclaim her hand, but he pressed it firmly against his sculpted abs. Her eyes widened as she realized where her hand was placed. With a forceful motion, Kristopher pushed her hand deeper into his abdomen. “Is this what you wanted?”’ he taunted, his tone dripping with contempt. “Why seek it from strangers?”’ She had a husband who was impressively built. Belinda stood frozen, her hand resting on the warmth of his chiseled abs, her heart racing. Despite three years of a secretive marriage, Kristopher had always kept physical distance from her, except in intimate moments. Even in front of their families, their closeness never went beyond brief arm links. This was the first time, aside from when he had been unconscious, that she had the chance to touch his abs. “Are you pleased?”’ he asked, noticing the blush on her cheeks and the hint of panic in her eyes. Her reaction was familiar; she always blushed when he touched her. If she still loved him, why was she considering a divorce? It seemed she was merely trying to capture his attention. “Not exactly.”’ Trying to mask his satisfaction, Kristopher watched as Belinda withdrew her hand, her tone even. “They’re not quite as impressive as others.”’ She wiped her hand with a tissue, as though she had touched something unpleasant. “Mr. Cox, instead of constantly shopping and flaunting around with Miss Miller, perhaps it’s time you considered visiting the gym more often.”’…