“Why didn’t you tell me?” he croaks. “Why did I have to learn vital facts about my wife from complete strangers?”
Tears prick at my eyes. I never expected him to find out like this. He must have been terrified, seeing me collapse, then learning the truth while I was unconscious. “I’m sorry.”
“Then explain,” he snaps. “Tell me why, Maura. I deserve that much at least.”
My mind swirls with guilt and fear. He could end this marriage right now if he wanted to. He's well within the grace period granted by our contract. He deserves to know the truth. I just hope it's enough to make him stay with me and our baby.
I stare down at my hands, gathering myself.
“My entire life, I've been the sick girl. The one who never had time for anything fun because she always had to go to the doctor. Nobody ever saw my mind or my heart. I was just a body—a failing one.” My voice almost breaks, and I take a second to swallow. “I just wanted one relationship that wasn’t defined by pity or risk assessment.”
“Because you were afraid I’d decline.” His voice is icy cold.
“Yes. And if you did, I’d—I’d never get a chance to be a mother.”
My throat feels almost as raw as my heart.
James rolls his jaw in frustration. “It’swrong, Maura. You shouldn’t have kept it from me. You shouldn’t have let me enter an agreement without disclosing the full risk profile.”
My jaw drops. “Excuse me?”
It feels like he’s slapped me. Our marriage might've started with a contract, but I always thought James saw me as more than just an asset. I thought we were partners in this strange, archaic alliance. Apparently not.
He sighs and runs a hand through his dusty hair. “I just mean I would have structured the whole thing differently. I could have made sure you were protected.”
Tears burn in my eyes. He’s trying to cover for himself, but I know his first reaction was the true one. That’s what he really thinks.
I was a bad investment.
When he married a woman with a heart defect, he tied himself to a faulty asset. Someone he could be forced to care for during her decline, or worse—someone who might die before he gets the son he needs. If that happens, there’s no Pages-Sequel merge. He entered into this whole marriage for nothing.
“Right,” I say dully. “You should have done your due diligence on me.”
A muscle jumps in his jaw. “That’s not what I meant.”
“You don’t have to be nice to me. I’m in the wrong here. I’m the one who kept thefull risk profilesecret,” I sneer. “I deserve this, don’t I?”
“Jesus, no.” He slumps in his chair. “Maura, I’m exhausted, and so are you. Now is not the time for this conversation.”
“No,” I mutter. “You wouldn’t want to accidentally say something you mean.”
His lips part, but he says nothing. I sigh.
“I’m tired, James. I should get some rest, and you should go back to the villa and get cleaned up. Have some dinner and take a break.”
“Is that what you want?” His eyes fix tight on mine.
I nod. “It is.”
He sucks in his lips. “Fine. I’ll come back later.”
He shoves out of his chair and strides over to the door. After he opens it, he hesitates inside the frame. I hear him mutter a curse before he walks out into the hallway, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
35
MAURA
“Are you comfortable?” the flight attendant asks, flashing me a brilliant smile. “Can I get you a blanket or a snack?”
