Page 66 of Temporary Vows

I swallow, searching for the right words. “He said I could pay him back over time. Or marry him.”

Jack goes pale.

“Marry him?” he breathes, his voice barely audible. “And what did you decide?”

My hands tremble. “I haven’t made the decision yet.”

“Good. Let me make it for you. You will pay him back.”

I ball my hands at my sides. It’s time to take the reins. “You won’t make that decision for me.”

His face hardens. “What the fuck? You’re actually considering marrying him?”

Marrying him.And having his baby. That part can go right to the top of the list of things Jack doesn’t need to know.

“Yes. I am considering it.”

“I forbid you to do it.”

A bitter laugh almost leaves me. “Jack. This isn’t about you.”

“It damn well is if you think you’re going to marry him.”

“It’s about me,” I snap. “My life. My decision. If I marry him, the debt goes away. And I have a better life.”

“This is not happening.”

“I’m sorry. But it is.”

“You said you haven’t decided yet. But it sounds like you have.”

“I haven’t. But I need you to know that whatever I decide, it will be forme.”

“Fuck that.” Jack steps toward me. “If you marry him, you’ll ruin the rest of your life.”

“My life is already ruined, Jack.” My voice cracks, but I don’t care. I gesture to my face. “Take a good look at me. Look at my face.”

That seems to get his attention, but it’s not enough. He shakes his head.

“I will never be okay with you marrying Dorian Vale. Never. Don’t do it.”

We’re just going around in circles. “I’m leaving now.”

“Elodie—”

I turn and walk away.

He calls after me again, louder this time, but I don’t stop. I don’t look back, either. I just keep moving, down the stairs, out of the building, back into the cool air.

I’m shaking as I get into the car, and the tears aren’t far. One escapes, streaming down my cheek, but I hold the rest back. I can’t break now. I can’t.

I sit still, breathing hard, then I pull down the visor mirror and look at my reflection.

My face stares back at me, bruised and exhausted and battered.

This is not the life I want for myself. And realistically, this whole ordeal is about so much more than the loan and Marcus.

Things have been hard for a long time—losing my parents, losing the business, losing what little hope I had for freedom, then being betrayed by a person I thought of as a friend.