Chapter 315
Madison
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. Maybe it wasn’t what it looked like. Maybe there was a reasonable explanation. But the image of his hand on her back, the intimacy of their posture, burned behind my eyelids.
I forced myself to move, walking mechanically to my desk outside Alexander’s office. The space was still empty; I’d arrived early, as usual. His door remained closed, and no light was visible underneath. He wasn’t in yet.
Setting my purse in the bottom drawer, I powered up my computer and tried to focus on the day’s tasks. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, trembling slightly before I pulled up my email.
Twenty–three new emails since last night.
I glanced at his closed door again. Where was he? Usually, he arrived before me, already deep into work by the time I settled at my desk.
Was he with her? Had he spent the night with Katherine?
The thought sent a wave of nausea through me. He was publicly associated with her while keeping me private, hidden away like a dirty secret. The arrangement that had once seemed practical now felt sordid.
And the jealousy, God, the jealousy was eating me alive. It was irrational, unprofessional, and completely overwhelming.
If I asked him about the photos, he’d surely have an explanation ready. Just a business dinner. Nothing to worry about. He was exclusive to me, after all.
But exclusive how? Physically? Emotionally? The lines had blurred so much that I couldn’t tell anymore.
My phone rang, startling me from my spiral. Hazel’s name flashed on the screen.
“Hey,” I answered, trying to sound normal.
“Holy shit, Mads. Did you see all the photos I sent?” Hazel’s voice was high with excitement and concern. “What the hell is going on? Did Alexander break up with you?”
I glanced around to make sure I was still alone. “No, we haven’t broken up.”
“Then why is he parading around town with his ex? Those weren’t just casual run–ins, Madison. They looked pretty damn cozy.”
I rubbed my temple, feeling a headache forming. “I don’t know what’s happening. I don’t know anything about his deal with Katherine. I’m going to talk to him today and get some answers.”
“You mean you haven’t talked to him about it yet?” Hazel sounded incredulous. “Madison, those photos are everywhere! Every gossip site has them. You need to confront him about this. Don’t let him gaslight you.”
“I won’t,” I promised, though my stomach churned at the thought of confronting Alexander. “I’ll talk to him today.”
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“Be careful, okay? And save those articles and pictures I sent you. Alexander’s PR team is probably already working to scrub them from the internet.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “I’ll save them. Thanks for looking out for me, Hazel.” (1)
“Always. Call me later? I want to know what that rich asshole has to say for himself.”
Despite everything, I smiled. “I will. Talk to you later.”
I hung up and immediately saved the articles to my personal drive, downloading the photos as well. As much as I hated looking at them, I needed evidence in case they disappeared.
The image of Alexander’s hand on Katherine’s back burned in my mind. The intimate gesture and the way he leaned toward her as she laughed; it all seemed so natural, so comfortable. Like they’d never been apart.
I minimized the photos and stared at my blank screen, a sick feeling spreading through my chest. Here I was, hidden away like some dirty secret while he paraded around New York with Katherine on his arm. What kind of arrangement was this? I’d agreed to exclusivity, but apparently, that rule only applied to me.
“Exclusive my ass,” I muttered, clicking through emails without really seeing them.
If Alexander was seeing Katherine while sleeping with me, he was breaking our contract. I could demand the money and walk away. It wasn’t as if I needed his money.
I checked my watch. 8:45 AM. Alexander was never this late.
My fingers hovered over my phone. I could call him and ask where he was. But why should I? If he was with Katherine, I didn’t want to be the clingy fake girlfriend interrupting their morning.
I leaned back in my chair, the reality of my situation crashing down on me. If I confronted him and he admitted to seeing Katherine, I could break our arrangement. But then what? Would he fire me? Could he legally do that?
“Shit,” I whispered, rubbing my temples.
The quiet ping of the elevator arriving broke my spiral of thoughts. I straightened up, smoothing my skirt and adopting a neutral expression.
But it wasn’t Alexander who stepped out. Just Stella from Accounting, who waved as she passed.
“Morning, Madison. No Mr. Knight yet?”
“Not yet,” I replied, forcing a smile. “He must be running late.”
Stella raised an eyebrow. “That’s unusual. Everything okay?”
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I said, more confidently than I felt. “He probably had an early meeting elsewhere.”
With Katherine. The thought slipped in before I could stop it.
Stella nodded and continued toward her office, leaving me alone with my churning thoughts again.
I pulled up the Manhattan Project files, determined to focus on work until Alexander arrived. The numbers blurred before my eyes as my mind kept circling back to those photos.
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What if he wanted to end our arrangement? What if Katherine’s return had rekindled old feelings?
“Stop it,” I scolded myself. “You’re overthinking.”
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But was I? The evidence was right there on my screen. Alexander and Katherine looked every bit like the power couple they probably once were.
The elevator pinged again, and this time, Alexander stepped out.
My breath caught. He looked immaculate as always in a charcoal suit that fit him perfectly, his hair slightly tousled as if he’d run his hands through it. No signs of a sleepless night or morning–after glow. Just Alexander Knight, powerful and composed as ever.
His eyes found mine immediately, and a small smile played at his lips as he approached my desk.
Chapter 316
+25 BONUS
Chapter 316
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.
