Chapter 91
Chapter 91:
“Oh, my poor girl,” Grandma cried, tears spilling down her wrinkled cheeks. “You sacrificed yourself for my medical bills? You trapped yourself in a loveless marriage for me p>
“No!” Jocelyn rushed to her grandmother’s side, kneeling down. “Grandma, it’s not like that! I promise p>
“Don’t lie to her!” Elouise yelled. “Admit it! It’s a sham! I bet you sleep in separate rooms! Everyone knows a man like that wouldn’t actually touch you p>
“Security!” Jocelyn shouted toward the door.
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“You can’t kick me out!” Elouise screeched. “I’m telling her the truth! Divorce him, Jocelyn! Find a real man! Don’t let your life be a lie p>
Jocelyn felt the room tilting. Her fever was spiking. The walls were closing in.
Grandma was sobbing now, clutching Jocelyn’s hand. “Leave him, Jossie. Please. I’d rather die in a ditch than see you wither away with a man who can’t love you p>
Jocelyn felt trapped. The truth — that it was a contract — would destroy Grandma. The lie — that he was gay — was destroying her.
She needed a third option.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
I’m in the lobby.
Gaston.
“Security!” Jocelyn yelled again, her voice raw.
Two burly orderlies appeared in the doorway. They hesitated, looking between the screaming woman in Chanel and the pale woman kneeling on the floor.
“Remove this woman,” Jocelyn ordered, pointing at Elouise. “She is trespassing. She is upsetting the patient. Thanks to an emergency court order that came through this morning, I am the sole medical proxy p>
The orderlies recognized authority when they heard it. They stepped forward.
“Ma’am, you need to leave,” one of them said, reaching for Elouise.
“Don’t touch me!” Elouise shrieked, slapping the man’s hand away. “My husband will sue you! I am Elouise Stein p>
“I don’t care who you are,” the orderly said, gripping her arm firmly. “Out p>
They dragged her toward the door. Elouise dug her heels into the linoleum.
“He’s a fake, Jocelyn!” she shouted over her shoulder as she was hauled away. “He doesn’t want you! He wants a man! You’re nothing but a prop p>
The door slammed shut. Silence returned to the room, heavy and suffocating.
Jocelyn turned back to Grandma and wiped the sweat from her own forehead. “Grandma, please. Calm down. Your heart p>
Grandma pushed Jocelyn’s hand away. “Is he… does he love you p>
Jocelyn froze. She couldn’t lie to those eyes — the eyes that had seen her through every scrape and bruise of childhood.
“He treats me well,” Jocelyn deflected. “He respects me. He saved the hotel p>
“That’s not an answer!” Grandma sobbed. “You’re in a business arrangement. For me. Oh, God, I’m a burden p>
“No, Grandma p>
“I want you to leave him,” Grandma declared, her voice gaining strength. “I won’t let you throw your youth away on a… a friendship. A woman needs passion, Jocelyn. She needs to be desired p>
Jocelyn felt tears prick her eyes. She was desired — she felt it every time Gaston looked at her. But she had convinced herself it was all acting.
“He’s here,” Jocelyn said desperately. “Let him speak for himself p>