Chapter 28
Audrey’s POV:
“What?”
When I heard Caspar suggest I become Noah’s stepmother, I was so shocked that I choked on my water, coughing violently.
“You heard my question, Ms. Lane.” His voice was low and suggestive.
“Would you be willing to become Noah’s stepmother?‘
I finally caught my breath, and my mind was in complete chaos.
Was this New York’s most powerful financial mogul actually making a move on me?
“Mr. Thornton, I think you’ve got the wrong idea,” I struggled to keep my voice steady.
“I’m very grateful that you took me to the hospital and looked after me following the accident, but that doesn’t mean I would… offer myself as payment.”
I nervously smoothed my clothes. “I’ve already returned the medical expenses you paid for me. There’s no debt between us.”
“Offer yourself?” Caspar raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
“I’m just trying to say we should keep our distance,‘ I quickly explained. “If you feel I owe you something, I can compensate you in other ways.”
“Compensate?” When that word left his lips, it dripped with sarcasm.
He leaned forward, lowering his voice even more. “You’re in the habit of throwing money at every problem, aren’t you? Ms. Lane, do you think I’m hurting for
cash?”
I was confused by Caspar’s bizarre behavior, frowning.
“Mr. Thornton, you seem off your game today. I’ll go back first.”
I grabbed my purse to leave, but Caspar’s hand shot out and seized my wrist again.
“Sit down, Ms. Lane. His voice brooked no argument. “I’m not done asking questions.”
I hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly sank back into my chair.
Caspar smoothly shifted gears. “You mentioned earlier that you had something to tell me. What was it?”
Meeting Caspar’s penetrating gaze, I felt like prey locked in a hunter’s crosshairs.
Today’s version of Caspar looked like someone you didn’t want to mess with.
My throat tightened.
If I dared admit I was the woman who’d spent that night with him at the London hotel, I probably wouldn’t walk out of this café alive.
1/4
3:17pm
Chapter 28
PM M
“I just wanted to let you know that I’m planning to resign from Luminous Gallery soon.” I lied through my teeth, my heart hammering.
This was not a lie. I indeed did not plan to stay at Luminous Gallery permanently.
After hearing this, disappointment and displeasure clearly flashed across Caspar’s face.
His fingers drummed lightly on the table, as if he were weighing something.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm.
I’ll arrange for Noah to transfer to another art school. He won’t be attending classes at Luminous Gallery anymore.”
“What?‘ I stared at him in shock.
“You can’t do that! Noah has made tremendous progress there. If this is because I mentioned resigning, I promise I’ll wait until Noah is settled before I
leave.”
Caspar tilted his head, studying me with a probing look.
“You seem awfully invested in Noah, Ms. Lane. Isn’t this level of concern a bit over the top for a student you’ve only been teaching for a few weeks?”
I bit my lower lip, finding my reaction strange.
From the moment I first laid eyes on Noah, I couldn’t help wanting to care for and protect him.
Maybe it was because those clear eyes held an indescribable loneliness, or perhaps I was trying to heal that unhealable wound in my own heart–the child i
had lost.
“Regardless, I’m asking you to reconsider this decision,” I said softly. “For Noah’s sake.”
“This is Thornton family business. It’s none of your concern.” Caspar’s response was ice–cold.
My voice rose with anger. “As Noah’s teacher, I have a responsibility to consider what’s best for him. You need to respect the child’s wishes.”
“You’re just his temporary art instructor, Ms. Lane. Don’t overestimate your importance.”
“And you, I looked him straight in the eye, anger overriding fear, “seem to have forgotten what it means to be a decent father. Noah finally started expressing himself at Luminous Gallery, and now you want to yank him away? That’ll cause him fresh psychological trauma!”
That statement was like a lit fuse, igniting the fury in Caspar’s eyes.
He rose slowly and dangerously, moving toward me.
The café’s atmosphere seemed to freeze, the surrounding sounds muted.
‘Don’t try to play mind games with me, Ms. Lane. His voice was barely audible. “Have you never thought about being Noah’s stepmother?”
I stood up too, studying his expression with growing irritation. “Never.”
“Are you really so self–assured, Mr. Thornton, that you believe every woman must secretly desire you? *
2/4
3:17 pm ppm м
Chapter 28
I said each word deliberately, “Let me make this clear I have zero interest in you.”
Caspar’s eyes burned with rage and conflict.
His jaw clenched so tightly I could see a muscle twitching at his temple.
He suddenly leaned forward, his face inches from mine. I instinctively jerked my head away, assuming he was about to kiss me in some misguided attempt to
prove me wrong.
But instead, his gaze dropped to my neck.
Before I could react, he closed the distance between us and I felt a sharp, stinging pain as his teeth sank into the sensitive skin where my neck met my
shoulder.
Ahh- I was shocked, covering my neck with my hand.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hissed.
He straightened up, his expression unreadable.
A surge of rage ignited within me instantly.
I grabbed the cup of hot tea from the table and threw it at him without hesitation.
Caspar reflexively stepped back, a flash of shock crossing his face.
I seized the moment, snatched my bag, and bolted through the café, shoving the door open as I burst onto the bustling streets of New York, my heart hammering wildly in my chest.
Once I got home, I immediately locked the door behind me and rushed into the bathroom to examine the mark in the mirror.
“Bastard!” I cursed at my reflection. “Who the hell does he think he is? A goddamn animal?”
I splashed cold water on the wound, fury churning inside me.
“Classic control freak–if he can’t have it, he’ll destroy it,” I muttered through gritted teeth.
“Thank God I didn’t tell him about London. Christ knows what he would’ve done.”
I stepped out onto the balcony, feeling a restless energy coursing through my veins that wouldn’t subside.
I reached for a rarely–used pack of cigarettes, pulled one out and lit it, taking a long, deep drag.
The nicotine rushed through my system, providing a momentary calm to my frayed nerves.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
