Chapter 44
Chapter 44
VENUS
“You can’t tell anyone, Gianna. Not even Joey p>
Joey-her eldest brother. The one I’ve had a crush on since I was old enough to mistake butterflies for something serious. Pathetic, I know.
Gianna leaned in, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Cross my heart. Now spill p>
We were holed up in this cozy café on the Lower East Side. Hidden. Quiet. Free from Aaron and the suffocating shadow he casts without even trying. That’s the worst part.
He wasn’t doing anything. And still, he was everywhere.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss.
No press. No cameras. No audience.
Just him.
And me.
His mouth on mine like it mattered.
I kept telling myself it was the heat of the moment. Anger. Power play. Emotional static misfiring. But the voice in my chest whispered a different story. One I wasn’t ready to read.
“You remember I told you Dain took the money meant for Mom’s chemo?” I began, hands curled around my cup like it could anchor me. “What I didn’t tell you was… why I married Aaron in the first place p>
And just like that, I spilled everything.
The contract. The terms. The headlines. The lie we wrapped around ourselves and dared the world to question.
Gianna didn’t flinch. Just listened. Her eyes sharpened with every word.
“I never worried about Dain catching on,” I added. “He’s too busy drowning in cheap whiskey and whatever gutter he crawled into last. And the people around him? They wouldn’t know a tabloid if it slapped them p>
When I finally stopped, she sat back and blew out a breath.
“Venus…” she murmured, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “I get it. I do. But babe… you need to be careful p>
“I knew you’d understand p>
“Of course I do. You’ve got the biggest heart of anyone I know. But that heart? It’s also your biggest weakness. This-what you just told me-was business. The second you let feelings creep in…” Her voice dropped. “It gets messy p>
“Feelings?” I snorted. “For Aaron Sinclair? Have you met him p>
She arched a brow. “Have you seen him p>
I rolled my eyes. “Sure. He’s gorgeous. In a ‘strangle-you-with-his-tie-and-make-you-thank-him’ kind of way. But any feelings I have are strictly… carnal p>
Gianna grinned. “Oh, I’d climb him like a tree. But you?” Her voice turned sly. “You’ve already got a seat at the summit p>
I nearly choked on my drink. “Gianna p>
She just laughed. “So… you two haven’t p>
“Absolutely not. Aaron wouldn’t touch me if I were the last woman on earth. He hates me p>
“The photos say otherwise p>
“We’re just phenomenal actors p>
She sipped her latte, eyes twinkling. “Mmhm. If you say so p>
Her tone said she didn’t believe a single word.
I showed her the ring anyway. We fawned over it like the lie it was. I handed her a gift from Rome. We hugged. Smiled. Played normal.
Then I went to see my mom.
Successfully unlocked!
S
I slipped the ring into my bag before stepping inside.
But when I walked into the hospital room, I froze.
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Chapter 44
You have got to be kidding me.
Aaron. Was. Here.
Sitting beside my mother like he belonged there. Laughing. Talking. Charming her like she was another boardroom deal he needed to close.
And worse?
She looked enchanted.
“Mom p>
“There she is,” Aaron said, standing up with that infuriatingly perfect smile. And then-he kissed my head. My head. Like we were that kind of couple.
“What p>
“Venus,” my mom said, eyes wide. “You got married p>
My lips twitched. Go off, Mom.
But Aaron? He just nodded, contrite and perfect. “I wouldn’t expect you to. Not yet. I’m still apologizing to her. Every day p>
My mom chuckled despite herself. “Then keep at it p>
He bent, kissed her hand-her hand-and said, “She’s in good hands now. I promise p>
I was two seconds froI glared at him. You absolute bastard.
He looked back at me, all cool and innocent. As if he hadn’t just detonated my life with one perfectly placed lie.
“Mom, I can explain, I-” Angry didn’t cover it. I wanted to scream.
“You don’t need to, baby,” she cut in gently. “Aaron already told me everything p>
Everything?
I turned slowly to face him. Brow lifted. Everything? Really?
He just stood there. Smiling like he’d won.
“Why didn’t you tell me, honey? I wouldn’t have stopped you,” she said, voice soft. “I just want you to be happy p>
“I’m sorry, Mom p>
Aaron’s voice slid in like silk. “I told her the truth,” he said, casually resting a hand on my lower back. “That I fell for you. That we didn’t want to wait or complicate things with a big wedding or formalities That I convinced you to elope. It was all me p>
He even sounded like he believed it.
My mom looked between us, eyes misty. “I just thought… you worked for him p>
“I did.” My voice was sharp, clipped. I couldn’t match the script they were playing
“And now you’re married p>
I shot Aaron another look. You absolute snake.
He didn’t flinch. Just brushed a thumb along my waist like we
were the picture of devotion. “Show her the ring, sweetheart.” Sweetheart? I wanted to claw his face off. But I pulled the ring from my bag and slid it on, hands trembling with the effort of not losing my mind.
My mom gasped, eyes going soft. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, reaching for my hand. Then her tone turned. “But that doesn’t mean I forgive you,” she told Aaron, sharp as a blade. “You hassled my daughter when she worked for you p>
m spontaneous combustion.
He looked at me, his gaze all warmth and fake sincerity. “I’ll give you two a moment p>
Then he left-cool, collected, and completely smug.
The second the door shut, my mom sighed.
“He’s so handsome p>
I groaned. “Don’t start p>
“He’s trying, Venus p>
“He’s manipulating you p>
She gave me a look. A quiet smile. “And yet you’re flushed and speechless. Maybe he’s not the only one doing the
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Chapter 44
manipulating p>
I turned away so she wouldn’t see the blush crawling up my neck.
I couldn’t deal with both of them being right in the same damn day.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.