Ch. 6..10: Chapter 6-10

CHAPTER 006: A Manipulator

Ryan has been quiet since I dropped the news.

"Say something," I say, my voice breaking slightly. But Ryan just stares at me, his jaw clenched, his face rigid. I know that look too well. It's his bomb-ticking look, the one he wears when he's moments away from an explosion.

"Julie," Emily says. She glances at Ryan before going on, "I'm sure whoever you've chosen will be wonderful. After all, you found Ryan and kept him, so you must know how to make good choices in life."

Her smile makes my fingers itch. I want to grab something-anything-and hurl it at her. My nails dig into my palms. Stay calm, I remind myself. If I react, Ryan will just assume I've lost my mind, and then where will I be? How would I fight for my marriage from an asylum? "No," Ryan says, catching me off guard.

""What?"

"The answer is no, Julie," he says, cold and final.

I stare at him, not believing he just said that. "It wasn't a request, Ryan. I was letting you know I'm exploring new options. So when you see me with someone else, you don't ask unnecessary questions."

His eyes narrow, and for the first time in a long while, I see anger in those green eyes. "Are you throwing my words back at me? Is that what this is? A game? You want to get me jealous by making up some boyfriend? Was that your grand plan?"

"Why would I want to get you jealous, Ryan?"

"Because that's what you do, Julie." His voice rises. "You're a manipulator. Everything you say or do has a purpose. But this? This is crossing the line. You're not getting a boyfriend, and that's final!"

He slams his hand down on the table, sending a glass teetering over. Water splashes across Emily's dress.

"Jesus Christ, Ryan!" Emily yells, standing up. "What has gotten into you?"

Ryan's on his feet in a second, arms wrapping around her. His voice is soft and soothing as he apologizes into her hair. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."

I stare at the wet patch on the table, willing myself not to break, not to let a single tear fall Ift cry, he'll think he's won. And I won't give him that satisfaction. I need to stay strong. Ryan's not in his right mind- he's not thinking clearly-and I can change him. I just need to push a little harder.

Emily disentangles herself from Ryan and sits back down, smoothing her dress. She clears her throat. Forgive Ryan for the outburst, Julie. He gets overwhelmed by little things sometimes." She smiles, that same condescending smile. "It's nice that you want to explore. We all deserve happiness."

44

Her words make my skin crawl. A typical secretary, covering for her boss. I guess I'm the stranger in this marriage now.

Ryan drops back into his chair, his posture stiff but more composed than before. "You have me, Julie. I'm always here. What more happiness are you looking for?"

"Ryan," Emily warns.

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CHAPTER 006 A Manipulator

"No, Emily, stay out of this." His voice is harsh now, and for a moment, I see the cracks in his composure." Julle is my wife. You think I'm just going to let some random guy waltz into our lives and 'hang out' with her? What if he's a con artist? Or worse, a kidnapper? You don't know him! What if he's just using her for her money?"

Emily doesn't wait for him to finish. She stands up, turning on her heel and heading for the stairs.

"Honey, where are you going?" Ryan asks, panicking as he chases after her.

"I'm taking my things and leaving," she says without looking back.

"Why would you do that? Please, let's talk about this."

She pauses halfway up the stairs, turning just enough to throw a scathing look over her shoulder." Because you don't value my opinions, Ryan. You never have. How can I stay with someone who refuses to listen to me?"

His voice is pleading now. "Emily, please. What do you want? Just tell me, and I'll do it."

"Let Julie have her relationship," she says. arcer

Ryan stops in his tracks, his face pale, as though he's been slapped. For a moment, I think he's going to scream, but instead, he just looks at her calmly. There's a long pause before he turns to me. "Fine. I'll let you have a boyfriend on one condition." ""What's that?" I say.

"I meet him. Whoever this guy is, I want to see him. Face to face." His voice is quiet, but it carries an edge. "I have a lunch appointment tomorrow with a potential business partner. You can bring him over.... thirty minutes into the break."

I did not expect that. I wanted an explosion. I wanted Ryan to fall to his knees and beg me not to see someone else. I wanted him to finally show me that he still cared. But this... I recognize what it is. He's calling my bluff. He thinks I'm lying, that this "boyfriend" of mine is just a desperate attempt to get under his skin. And by giving me until tomorrow, he's daring me to prove him wrong. The worst part is that I can see the satisfaction in his eyes. He thinks I'm cornered, that I'll back down and admit there is no other

man.

It takes every ounce of strength not to snap at him, not to let him see how much his words sting. Instead, I keep my voice steady, my face neutral. "Agreed."

His eyes narrow a little, surprised.

Emily clears her throat. She's standing by the stairs now, her arms crossed, watching the scene unfold.

"Ryan," she says. "We should go."

Ryan doesn't respond right away. Instead, he stares at me. The silence between us feels heavy, almost suffocating. His eyes are searching mine, waiting for me to crack. But I won't.

"Julie," he says, "I hope you know what you're doing."

"I do."

CHAPTER 006: A Manipulator

Ryan doesn't say anything else. I can see the hurt in his eyes, the anger too, but he won't admit it. That would mean losing control, and Ryan never loses control.

Emily watches us, impatient. "Ryan," she says again, firmer this time. "We need to go."

Finally, Ryan pulls his gaze away from me and walks to the door. His steps are slow. I stand still, my heart pounding as I watch him leave.

At the door, he stops and looks back at me.

We lock eyes, and I see the man I fell in love with, the man who once promised me forever. Then, just as quickly, his face hardens, and he walks out, closing the door behind him.

Emily follows, her heels clicking on the floor. She doesn't look at me as she leaves.

I walk to the window, watching as Ryan and Emily get into his car. He's still staring at the house, even as he opens the door for her, like he's expecting me to burst out and stop them. His hand lingers on the door handle longer than it should, his posture tense. I can't breathe. My heart is pounding so loudly in my chest, I can barely think.

His eyes meet mine one last time through the window. Then he turns away, gets in the car, and drives off.

Someone's in my bed. I can feel the person's hand in my hair. I smell alcohol in their breath.

I'm slowly coming awake, trying to figure out if it's real or if I'm still dreaming.

But then I hear my name, "Jules."

That name. Only one person calls me that.

I twist around, my heart racing. "Ryan? What the hell are you doing here?"

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CHAPTER 007: In My Bed

"Ryan," I say again, now fully facing him, "what are you doing in my room?"

He shrugs. "The door was unlocked." "And?"

"I wanted to be with my wife." He's touching my hair now, fingers combing through the mass, causing the hair to fall around my face. His touch is familiar, too familiar. I try to shake off the feeling of déjà vu, but it won't stop. "I don't want us to fight anymore, Jules. All this is just a little misunderstanding."

I stare at him, my mind still trying to catch up with the fact that he's here, in my bed, in the middle of the night. "It's midnight, Ryan. What are you saying exactly? Shouldn't you be with your girlfriend?"

Ryan doesn't answer right away. Instead, he leans in and presses his lips to mine, soft at first. For a brief second, I lose myself in it-the taste of him, the way his hands cradle my face. But then, reality crashes back in.

"Ryan," I murmur, pulling away. "Stop. This isn't-"

"Shh," he whispers against my lips. "This is what you want, right? Isn't this what you've been begging for? You want me inside you."

I feel anger rise in my chest. He thinks this is what I've wanted? After everything? The late nights of wondering where he was, the way he flaunted Emily in front of me, the betrayal... But before I can form a coherent thought, he's on top of me, pinning my wrists above my head with one hand, his body pressed against mine.

He knows me too well. He knows that despite everything, my body still reacts to him. It's like he's using every weakness he knows I have, drawing me in because he believes I'm still that same woman who would fall at his feet, desperate for his attention.

But I'm not that woman anymore. I should stop him. I should push him off, tell him I'm not playing this game. But when he drags my nightgown over my head and tosses it aside, I don't resist. I don't want to. Instead, I pull him closer, my lips finding his, and for a second, I forget about Emily. I forget about everything.

My hands snake around his neck, pulling him in deeper and I surrender to the heat between us. I've missed this-his weight on me, the way he makes my skin burn with just a touch. I've missed him, more than I want to admit.

But just as I fully give in, Ryan stops. His lips leave mine, his hands fall away, and he pulls back, leaving me cold and exposed beneath him. "What?" I say, breathless, confused.

"If you want this to continue," he says, "you need to drop this whole boyfriend nonsense."

My heart skips. I feel like someone has punched me in the face. All of this, this whole seduction-was just a ploy? A way to manipulate me?

I push him off, anger burning through me now. "So that's what this is? You thought you could come in here, kiss me, and I'd just forget everything?"

1/2

CHAPTER 007: In My Bed

$25 WANA

Ryan sits up. "You're my wife, Julle. You don't need anyone else."

1 laugh, my voice shaking with rage. "You mean, I don't get to have anyone else. But you you get to have your girlfriend, flaunt her in front of me, and still come crawling into my bed when it suits you?" "Jules, be reasonable," he says, leaning in again as if this conversation isn't tearing me apart. "We're still married. This thing with Emily... it's different. But us-we're real. Don't ruin it with some stupid fling." "You don't get to decide what I ruin. You already did that when you chose her over me."

Ryan's face hardens. "You don't know what you're talking about. But if you go through with this... boyfriend thing, you're going to start a war you can't win."

I stare right back at him, refusing to give in. "So be it."

For a moment, we just stare at each other. I know he's waiting for me to break, to take it all back like I usually do, but not this time.

Without another word, I turn my back on him. "Get out of my room," I say,

He doesn't move at first. Then, with a heavy sigh, he stands up. "Fine," he says. He gives me one last look, then walks to the door.

I don't watch him leave. I can't. The second I hear the door click shut, I rush over and lock it, my fingers trembling as they twist the bolt into place.

As soon as the door is secure, everything I've been holding in comes rushing out. I sink to the floor, tears running down my face, my body shaking as I cry.

How did we get here? How did the man I once loved with every fiber of my being become this... this stranger, so willing to destroy me? I try to catch my breath, but it feels like the air is suffocating me. I want to scream, to shout, but all I can do is cry.

I don't know how long I stay like that, curled up on the floor, letting my tears soak into the carpet. Minutes? Hours? It feels like a lifetime. But eventually, the sobs begin to fade, leaving behind a cold, empty space inside me. I wipe my eyes, furious at myself for falling apart like this-furious at him for making me feel this way.

I've been weak for too long, letting him control me, letting him tear me down. But no more. I won't be that woman anymore. He doesn't get to have this power over me. He doesn't get to make me feel small.

I push myself up from the floor. I won't let him win. Not again.

I grab my phone, scrolling down to Luke's number. My thumb hovers over the call button for a second.

Ttake a deep breath and press it. The phone rings once, twice, then I hear Luke's voice on the other end.

"Julie?" he says. "What's going on?"

 

CHAPTER 008: The Happiness Potion

"Hi," I say, but then it hits me-it's the middle of the night, and I shouldn't be calling anyone this late, especially not someone I barely know. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'll hang up the phone now." Before I can move my thumb to end the call, Luke's voice comes through the line. "Don't hang up."

The way he says it-easy, like we talk all the time-makes me pause. I stare at the ceiling, biting my

lip. There's something comforting about his voice, like I'm not alone in this stupid mess I've found myself in.

"Talk to me," Luke says.

"I dialed your number by mistake," I lie, cringing at how lame it sounds. "Alright. I had a bad dream, so I picked up my phone and dialed the first number I saw."

Luke laughs. "A bad dream, huh? Were there monsters?"

I roll my eyes even though he can't see me. "Something like that."

There's a brief pause, and I hear him moving on the other end, like he's shifting around. "Well, since I'm awake, let me tell you a story to cheer you up. There was this time I got stuck in a bathroom at a nightclub." "Stuck in a bathroom?"

"Oh yeah, picture this," he says. "I'm at this club, right? Trying to impress this girl, of course. You know, typical Friday night."

"Typical for you, maybe."

"Exactly," he says, not missing a beat. "So I excuse myself to go to the bathroom, like a gentleman, and somehow-don't ask me how-I manage to lock myself in the stall."

I can't help but laugh. "Seriously?"

"Dead serious. I'm in there, banging on the door like I'm some kind of prison escapee, but the music's blasting, so no one can hear me. I'm thinking, 'This is it. This is how I die."" "Imagine dying in a bathroom stall... tragic end."

"Right? Eventually, the janitor finds me, probably thinking I'm some drunk idiot. By the time I get out, the girl's long gone."

I shake my head, smiling. "Of course she was. She probably thought you were hiding from her."

"Maybe," Luke says. "But hey, I still looked good when I got out, so that's what counts."

I scoff. "Yeah, because that's what's important in life. Looking good while trapped in a bathroom."

"You get me," he says, and I can hear the grin in his voice.

I settle back against my pillows, the phone pressed to my ear. I realize he's moving around a lot. I can hear it in the background-the faint shuffle of steps, the sound of things being moved. "Where are you, by the way?" I ask. "It sounds like you're pacing or something."

CHAPTER OU

"Just wrapping up some work," he says.

"At the bar?"

There's a pause. "No," he replies but doesn't elaborate. Instead, he changes the topic. "So, bad dreams,

huh? Want to tell me about it?"

I hesitate, chewing on my lip as I stare at the ceiling. I could lie, tell him it was just some random nightmare, but the truth is it wasn't really about sleep at all. "It wasn't a dream," I say. "It's just... everything with Ryan." He hums, not pushing further. "Yeah, I figured."

I turn onto my side, clutching the blanket a little tighter, and for a moment, I consider hanging up and going back to sleep. This is dangerous territory, letting someone like Luke into my mess, even if it's just for a conversation. But then the words just spill out, almost before I realize what I'm saying.

"I need to ask you something."

"Sure," Luke says. "Go ahead."

"Ryan... he wants to meet you." I say it quickly, as if that will somehow make it less awkward.

There's a pause, and then Luke laughs. "Meet me? Is he bringing a gun?"

"Possibly," I say, rolling my eyes. "No, he wants to meet you tomorrow. During lunch. Thirty minutes into his break. He asked for it."

Luke lets out a low whistle, like this is some kind of movie we're playing out. "Sounds intense. What's he gonna do, size me up? Give me the 'stay away from my wife' speech?"

"Honestly, I don't know," I admit. "But I figured you should know."

"So, this lunch date... am I supposed to bring flowers?"

"Bring a bulletproof vest," I reply.

He laughs again, and the sound of it sends a strange warmth through me. "Don't worry, Julie. I've got this."

I hesitate, but for some reason, talking to Luke makes it all seem a little lighter. "Okay," I finally say. "I'll send you the address by noon tomorrow. Just... don't be late."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, boss," he says, and I can hear the smile in his voice. "Goodnight, Julie."

"Goodnight, Luke," I whisper, hanging up the phone.

For a moment, I just sit there staring at nothing. I should feel anxious, should be dreading tomorrow, but instead, I feel something else. Something I haven't felt in a long time.

A strange, quiet happiness.

I pull the blankets tighter around me, the small smile still lingering on my lips as I close my eyes. For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful.

I walk into the living room at dawn, smiling to myself. There's an unusual lightness in my step, like I'm

CHAPTER 008: The Happiness/otion

carrying a secret no one else knows. It's funny how a simple phone call can change your outlook on life. I'm wearing my favorite navy blue suit, the one that always makes me feel like I can take on the world. And today, I need all the confidence I can get.

As I head toward the dining area, I hear the soft clinking of cutlery. Ryan and Emily are already seated at the table, picking at one of Emily's sad, greenish breakfasts. Some kind of smoothie and a bowl of something that looks like it was grown in a swamp. Ryan notices me first. He eyes me from head to toe and then narrows his eyes. Emily looks up next, her gaze landing on my smile, and she raises an eyebrow.

"Well, someone's in a good mood this morning," she says with a smirk.

I lean against the doorframe. "What can I say? Life's short. People keep forgetting we don't have much time on this earth, so we might as well enjoy it."

Ryan's still watching me with narrowed eyes. I almost laugh at how hard he's trying to figure me out. Emily, on the other hand, just chuckles. "I'll get Martha to make you something."

I wave her off, already heading toward the door. "No, thanks. I'm running late for a meeting with my team." "You're the leader of that team," Emily says. "You can be as late as you want."

I stop, turning to look at her. "Only bad bosses think they're better than the people who work under them." Emily blinks, taken aback. Ryan, though, doesn't say anything. He's still watching me like he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

When I reach the door, I pause and glance back at them. "Oh, and Ryan... don't forget about lunch today."I give him a slow smile. "I can't wait for you to meet him."

His jaw tightens, but he stays silent.

Without waiting for a response, I open the door and step outside, closing it behind me. For the first time in a long while, I'm in control.

CHAPTER 009: Tasty Lunch

The drive to work is a blur.

My mind keeps wandering back to that late-night call with Luke. I hadn't expected him to answer, let alone cheer me up with his random stories and crazy humor. I can't shake the strange feeling I've had since that call. I'm... happy. Genuinely happy. And it's not something I'm used to, especially in the last few months.

I smile as I walk through the glass doors of Paragon Jewels. It's a place I've spent years building my career, climbing to the top-yet today, even the heavy, corporate atmosphere feels lighter.

I make my way across the lobby, past the reception desk. The receptionist, Karen, smiles at me, though her usual greeting seems to be slightly delayed. She's staring at me as if something's different.

"Good morning, Mrs. O'Brien," she says.

"Good morning, Karen," I reply, smiling back.

I catch the surprise in her eyes. Maybe I don't usually smile this much. I know I don't.

"Have a nice day," I say, giving her one last smile before walking on.

As I make my way to the marketing department, I can feel the stares. People are looking at me strangely, whispering behind their hands as I pass. It's almost comical. Greetings echo through the hall as employees step aside for me to pass. "Good morning, Mrs. O'Brien."

""Morning, Mrs. O'Brien."

It's always "Mrs. O'Brien." No one calls me by my first name. I'm the chief marketing officer, and Ryan O'Brien's wife-titles that have set me apart from everyone else. And for years, I liked it that way.

But today, as I step into the elevator, the usual tension that follows me wherever I go seems to disturb me a little. A group of employees are standing near the elevator doors, waiting, but as I approach, they all step back, clearly intending to let me ride alone. "Why don't you all join me?" I say.

They hesitate, looking between one another like they're unsure if I'm serious. When I don't back down, they step inside.

I lean back against the elevator wall, still smiling.

The elevator doors open to the marketing floor, and I step out, making my way toward the large meeting hall. It's where I hold our weekly strategy meetings. As I enter, I see everyone's already seated, waiting for me so we can begin. The air in the room shifts when they see me. Conversations halt, and I can feel all

eyes on me.

"Good morning, everyone," I greet them cheerfully.

Silence.

It's as if the entire room is holding its breath, waiting for the punchline. No one's used to me being in a

CHAPTER 009: Tasty Lunch

good mood. Hell, even I'm not used to it. But here we are.

1 glance around, noting the side glances being exchanged across the table. People are shuffling papers, fidgeting, avoiding my gaze. Finally, I place my bag down on the table and address the tension. "What's with the side looks? Can someone tell me what's going on?" They exchange nervous glances again, but no one speaks. Finally, Samantha, the vice president of marketing, clears her throat.

"Julie," she says, "we were wondering if you're okay. The last time we saw you, things were.. intense."

She doesn't have to say it. I know exactly what she's talking about-the outburst at the quarterly review party. The shouting. The way I'd dragged Ryan out of the room. It was one of my lowest moments, and everyone here saw it.

I give her a small smile, tilting my head. "I see. Well, it's nice to know you all care so much. But for the record, Ryan and I are still very much in love and happily married. Does that answer your questions?"

There's an awkward pause as everyone shifts uncomfortably in their seats.

"Now that we've got that out of the way," I say, glancing at Silas, the campaign manager, "let's begin the presentation."

Silas stands, his shoulders squared, but I can tell he's a little thrown off by my calmness. He begins talking through the campaign for the new red diamond choker necklace series that's due to launch in a few months. As he clicks through the slides, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out discreetly under the table and see a message from Ryan. It's the address for the lunch meeting with Luke.

Without thinking, I forward the message to Luke. I expect him to reply later, but his response comes almost immediately: Was expecting your text by noon, not 9 AM.

I smile, tapping out a quick reply: Consider it a head start. He sends back a winking emoji, and I find myself chuckling under my breath. It's strange how easy the conversation with him feels.

By the time I look up from my phone, Silas has wrapped up his presentation, and the room is silent. All eyes are on me again. Shit. I wasn't paying attention.

Silas clears his throat. "Mrs. O'Brien? What did you think of the campaign idea?"

I glance at the screen, quickly scanning the last slide. It's good, Silas. Really. I think you've captured the elegance of the necklace well, but you might want to focus more on the exclusivity aspect. This series needs to feel like it's something only a select few can own." He nods, relieved, and I dismiss the meeting, assigning a few tasks to some of the team members before everyone filters out of the room.

My mind is already elsewhere. The lunch meeting with Luke and Ryan is just a few hours away, and I can't shake the nerves creeping up on me.

I need to get my shit together.

At noon, I find myself rushing to the bathroom to check my makeup, something I never do. I add another layer of perfume, undo the top two buttons of my blouse, and smooth down my hair. It's not like I'm

CHAPTER 009. Tasty Lunch

dressing up for Luke, but... okay, maybe I am. Just a little.

The restaurant is only a few minutes from the office, and by the time I arrive, I spot Ryan and Luke through the window. They're together, laughing, chatting like old friends.

I freeze.

What the hell is going on? They weren't supposed to be this... friendly.

Ryan sees me first, standing up with a warm smile and walking over to give me a peck on the cheek. "Hey, darling," he says, his voice soft and loving. "Come join us."

I glance at Luke, who's watching me closely, his eyes flicking from my face to my undone buttons. I know that look-admiration, surprise. He looks different today, too-sharp, polished in a way I hadn't expected. The playful rogue I'd met at the club has been replaced by a professional, composed man in suit. And for some reason, it throws me off balance.

Ryan notices the tension between us and clears his throat. "Pardon my manners. Mr. Martinez, meet my wife, Julie." He smiles, gesturing between us. "And Julie, this is Mr. Lucas Martinez, the CEO of Couture Collective, our newest partner." Holy shit.

CHAPTER 010: The Partnership

The name hits me like a punch to the face. Lucas Martinez? Luke is the CEO of Couture Collective? The biggest fashion company in North and South America? How the hell did I not know this?

I blink, still processing. The air feels like it's been sucked out of the room for a second, and all I can hear is the rushing sound of blood in my ears.

But there he is. Sitting casually, grinning, as if he's enjoying every second of my discomfort. He stands up, extending his hand, his eyes never leaving mine.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. O'Brien," he says, his voice calm and collected, but there's a twinkle of mischief in his gaze.

1 force a smile, slipping into autopilot mode as I shake his hand. Keep it together, Julie. Keep it together.

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Martinez," I reply, my voice just a little too formal. The contact of his hand is warm-familiar. A little too familiar, given the circumstances.

Luke doesn't miss a beat. "Please, call me Luke," he says. His tone is casual, as if we're old friends. Which, in a way, we are. Just not in the way Ryan would approve of.

Ryan's voice pulls me back to reality. He's practically buzzing with excitement as he looks between us, unaware of the tension hanging in the air. "Isn't this great, Julie? We'll get to work with Mr. Martinez himself."

"It's wonderful, Ryan." I plaster a smile on my face and nod. "Really wonderful."

Ryan doesn't seem to pick up on the undercurrent between Luke and me. Instead, he gestures for us to sit, eager to get into business mode. "Let's talk about the campaign. This partnership with Couture Collective is going to be huge for Paragon."

I nod politely, sliding into the seat next to Ryan. My mind is still racing, but I'm determined to stay focused. Luke is just a business partner, nothing more. I repeat that mantra in my head as I sit there, willing myself not to think about our night at the bar or the phone call last night.

Luke settles across from me, and I catch him glancing at me from the corner of my eye. That same cocky grin is still playing on his lips, and I can feel his gaze burning into me, like he's silently daring me to acknowledge what's between us. "So, Julie," Luke says, turning his full attention to me. "What exactly is your role at Paragon?"

There it is. The shift. The moment he pulls me into the conversation, drawing me into his game. I can feel Ryan looking at me, proud as ever, completely unaware of the loaded nature of the question.

"I'm the Chief Marketing Officer," I say, keeping my tone cool and professional. "I oversee all the marketing strategies and campaigns. Making sure the brand stays on top."

Luke raises an eyebrow. "So, we'll be working closely together, then," he says, the word "closely" rolling off his tongue in a way that makes my stomach twist.

Ryan jumps in. "Of course! The marketing team is going to be crucial to this partnership. Julie's the best in the business-she'll make sure everything runs smoothly."

CHAPTER 010: The Partnership

challenging. He's pushing, testing me, seeing how far I'll go. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

"I'm sure we'll work well together," I say, my voice steady, though I can feel my heart racing. I shoot him a look that I hope conveys don't even think about it. But Luke just leans back in his chair, looking far too comfortable for my liking. "I have no doubt," he says. "I look forward to it."

Ryan starts talking again, something about how this campaign will be revolutionary for the luxury jewelry market, but I can't focus on the words. My mind keeps drifting back to Luke, to the way he's sitting there, so at ease.

I'm so pissed that I can't see straight. He knew I'm Ryan's wife? And he still went ahead with our plan?

I can feel my cheeks heating up, but I keep my expression neutral, my hands resting in my lap, squeezing the fabric of my skirt just to keep myself from fidgeting. Luke leans forward slightly, his voice cutting through Ryan's enthusiastic rambling. "And Julie," he says, "if you need any... personal assistance with the campaign, don't hesitate to reach

out."

There's a pause. A beat too long. The innuendo in his voice is clear as day, but Ryan doesn't catch it. He just nods eagerly, thrilled at the idea of me and Luke working together.

"I'm sure Julie will do a great job," Ryan says. "She's been handling our campaigns for years. She's a real

asset."

An asset, I think, the word grating on my nerves. I glance at Luke, who's watching me with that infuriating smirk, like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.

I'm going to fucking kill him.

"Thank you, Ryan," I say, my voice a little tighter than I intended. "I'm sure this campaign will be... unforgettable."

Luke grins. "I'm counting on it."

I can't do this. Not here, not now. The tension is too much, and if I stay in this room a second longer, I'm going to lose it. I glance at Ryan, who is still talking, then back at Luke, who's still watching me with that knowing smile. "I need to excuse myself for a moment," I say, standing up. Ryan looks up, surprised, but he doesn't question it. "I'll be back in a minute."

Luke's eyes follow. I can feel his gaze burning into my back as I make my way to the restroom. The second I'm out of sight, I exhale sharply, my body releasing the tension that's been building since I walked into the restaurant. What the hell was that? What game is Luke playing? I pull out my phone and dial his number.