Chapter 314
Madison
+25 BONUS
I set down my fork, choosing my words carefully. “He’s attentive. Generous.” Insatiable. Dominant. Mind- blowing. “We’re taking things slow.”
Mom’s expression told me she didn’t believe that for a second. “Slow? Is that what the kids call it these days?”
“Mom!”
She laughed, delighted by my discomfort. “I’m just teasing, honey. But seriously, I haven’t seen you this happy in years. Whatever he’s doing, it’s working.”
I busied myself with my breakfast, avoiding her knowing gaze. The truth was, despite the complications and my anxieties about Katherine, I was happy. Happier than I’d been in a long time. And that terrified me.
“Oh! Before I forget,” Mom said, standing to clear her plate. “Dr. Williams called this morning. He wants to adjust my medication schedule. I have an appointment tomorrow at ten.”
“I’ll take you,” I said automatically.
“No need. They’re sending a car.” She beamed. “Apparently, it’s standard for all patients on my treatment plan.
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Alexander. It had to be his doing. I felt a rush of gratitude mixed with something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to name.
“That’s great,” I said, finishing my coffee. “But let me know if you need anything.”
“What I need is for you to stop worrying about me and focus on your life.” She took my empty plate. “And on that handsome boss of yours.”
I glanced at my watch and stood. “I should get going. I have a meeting at nine.”
Mom caught my arm as I passed, pulling me into a gentle hug. “Don’t forget to ask him about breakfast.”
“I won’t,” I promised, returning her embrace.
“And Madison?” She pulled back, her expression suddenly serious. “Be careful with your heart. I see the way you look at him.”
My stomach tightened. Was I that transparent? “I’m a big girl, Mom. I know what I’m doing.”
She patted my cheek. “No one ever knows what they’re doing when it comes to love, honey. That’s what makes it so terrifying. And so wonderful.”
I kissed her cheek and grabbed my purse, not trusting myself to respond. Love wasn’t part of my arrangement with Alexander. It couldn’t be. Not when he still had unfinished business with Katherine.
“Have a good day!” Mom called as I headed for the door. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
I laughed despite myself. “That doesn’t narrow it down much!”
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Chapter 314
+25 BONUS
Her answering laugh followed me into the hallway, a bright sound that lightened my steps as I headed for the elevator.
Outside, the morning air was crisp and invigorating. I decided to walk the few blocks to the subway, using the time to clear my head before facing Alexander. I needed to be sharp today, focused on work rather than the confusing tangle of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me whenever I thought about him.
The streets buzzed with the usual morning chaos: people rushing to work, coffee cups in hand, the occasional honk of impatient cab drivers. I weaved through the crowd, my heels clicking against the pavement in a steady rhythm.
My phone buzzed in my purse. For a split second, my heart leaped, thinking it might be Alexander. I fished it out, only to find a promotional text.
“Get a grip, Madison,” I muttered to myself. “You’re acting like a teenager.‘
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A man in a business suit gave me a strange look as he passed. Great. Now I was talking to myself in public.
I descended the subway stairs, joining the stream of commuters. The platform was packed, everyone staring at their phones or into the distance with that glazed morning expression. The train arrived with a rush of air, and I squeezed in, finding a spot to stand near the doors.
The subway lurched forward, and I grabbed the pole to steady myself. A woman beside me was reading a gossip magazine, and I caught a glimpse of a familiar face on one of the pages. Blonde, perfect, poised. Katherine. I quickly looked away, focusing instead on the subway map above the doors.
Twenty minutes later, I emerged back into daylight, only six blocks from Knight Industries. The walk would do me good and give me time to mentally prepare for the day ahead.
The walk to the office passed quickly, and my mind ran through the day’s agenda. I had a project meeting at 10 and lunch with the development team at 1, and I needed to finalize the quarterly reports for Alexander by the end of the day.
Alexander. Just thinking his name sent a flutter through my stomach.
“Stop,” I commanded myself firmly. “Professional mode. Now.”
I pushed through the revolving doors of Knight Industries, nodding to the security guard as I flashed my ID badge. The lobby bustled with employees and visitors, the marble floors gleaming under the soft lighting.
I headed straight for the elevator bank, pressing the up button and waiting with a small group of early arrivals. When the doors opened, I stepped in and pressed the button for the executive floor.
As the elevator began its ascent, my phone buzzed again. Hazel this time. I opened the message, expecting some funny meme or brunch invitation for the weekend.
Instead, I found several links.
The elevator stopped to let people off, but I barely noticed, my finger hovering over the first link. Something cold settled in my stomach as I clicked it.
The page loaded instantly, revealing a photo that hit me like a physical blow.
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Chapter 314
+25 BONUS
Alexander and Katherine were sitting close at what appeared to be an upscale restaurant. Her hand rested on his
forearm, and her head tilted toward him in an intimate way that suggested shared secrets. The headline screamed, “Alexander Knight and Fashion Mogul Katherine Sinclair Spotted Together Again.”
“Shit,” I muttered, earning a curious glance from the remaining elevator occupants.
I scrolled frantically through the article, each word twisting the knife deeper.
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“…seen together three times this week…”
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‘…sources close to Knight confirm dinner meetings…”
“…Sinclair’s recent return to New York coincides with Knight’s sudden availability…”
The elevator doors opened at my floor, but I remained frozen, staring at my phone. A man cleared his throat behind me.
“Are you getting off or…?”
“Sorry,” I mumbled, stepping out just as my phone buzzed with another message from Hazel.
“Did you see the other links? There are more photos from yesterday.”
My finger trembled as I clicked the second link. This time, it was a paparazzi shot: Alexander escorting Katherine into his car, his hand on the small of her back. The familiarity of the gesture made my stomach clench. That was how he touched me.
The third link showed them leaving a building together, Katherine laughing at something he said, Alexander smiling down at her. The timestamp indicated it was taken last night.
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.
