“That’s it?” He bit out.
“What do you want me to say?”That my heart’s hammering against my chest, that I’m involuntarily turned on by a shirtless video of you and your husky voice?ThatI’m trying to ignore the fact that seven years ago I was on my knees begging for you to take me back but all you did was stare down at me like a stranger?
“Nothing. Goodnight, Ms. Mikael.”
“Goodnight,” He hung up the phone. I released a tight breath, “Christian.”
EIGHT
CHRISTIAN
Only one sentence.
Adelaide
No kissing.
Her unwillingness spoke volumes.
People wouldn’t believe we were married if we didn’t kiss. Every couple kissed. Even those whoweren’tcouples fucking kissed. We—on the other hand— kissed a thousand times before. Why was it fucking problem now?
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sent a fast reply.
ME
No kissing unless necessary. No one will believe we’re together if we don’tkiss, Ms. Mikael.
Adelaide
I’m not trying to convince anyone. I just need your money and connections to solve my own problem. I apologise if this is inconveniencing you, but there will be no negotiation on my end. Thank you.
Formalities were back and stronger than ever.
There was a moment while we were talking, where Adelaide and I slipped into versions of ourselves we lost a while back. Despite that, I didn’t have the luxury to stop and feel those fucking feelings. They were distracting and I didn’t want nor to have the time to revel in it.
If we were two different people, living two different lives, then I would have fought until the ends of this earth to win her back.
If marriage helps both of us, it’s a win-win.
Is it really when you plotted her problem?
I did whatever I needed to do for this to work.
Adelaide Mikael needed my help to figure out what kind of disgusting men were behind the sexual violence, but I put her in that position.
If nothing went astray, the plan was simple.
Adelaide and I would be married.
I’d become her power wall.
She’d sell me thirty percent of her company shares.
I’d convince the board members to sell three percent of theirs to me.
At the end, I'd have more shares than her and be voted as Starlight’s CEO.
My tactics would drop on all five of those fucking douches and Starlight would gotumbling down.
