Page 63 of Temporary Vows

“You’ll love them,” I pause. “You just won’t love me.”

“No.” He didn’t even hesitate.

I’ve never heard anyone sound more certain. And cold.

My mind spins, and I don’t know where to put my face.

“Think about it and get back to me.” He sighs. “But I need an answer by the end of the week. No later than that. And if you accept, you may want to speak to Jack because I won’t.”

Jack.

He’d lose his shit if he knew where I was. I don’t even want to think about what he’d do if I brought thisofferto him.

He blames Dorian for everything that went wrong in our lives.

But that is Jack’s philosophy. And he isn’t here.

This is my life. The only person I could trust to save me when I got in trouble was myself. I was the one who made the decision to turn to Dorian for help. Not Jack.

I just don’t know what I’ll choose now.

Chapter 14

Elodie

Istare ahead at the open road through the windshield of my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel, my mind still numb.

I try to drive steadily, but I can tell from the car’s jerky movements that I’ll be paying Dale’s Garage another visit soon.

One of Dorian’s drivers took me home. We traveled in a Bentley. It’s hard to go from that tothis. I doubt I’ll be able to save the car this time. Dale will take one look at it and write it off. He already said the car was too old and I’d be better off buying a new one than spending money on repairs.

He was right, but all I could do at the time with what little I had was make the best bad choice.

That’s what is happening to me now. I am facing choices that all seem bad.

Dorian’s words haven’t left my mind.

Marry me, and the debt disappears.

Marriage to a billionaire.

And a baby.

But…a life where I’ll never have to worry about money again.

I haven’t decided yet.

I glance at myself in the mirror. My face looks absolutely awful. It’s swollen and bruised, proof of the danger I was in stamped right across my skin.

That’s why I’m going to see my brother.

I was home for less than a minute before I decided I needed to see Jack. He has the morning off, so I’m heading to his apartment.

If I actually go through with Dorian’s offer, Jack needs to see exactly how bad things got. He needs to see what Marcus did to me. He needs to understand this isn’t me being dramatic, reckless, or stupid.

This is me standing at the edge and trying to choose the path that might give me a better future.

I keep turning the offer over in my head, testing the idea from every angle.