Chapter 480
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Chapter 480:
Carmen looked up. Their eyes met, and something cold and wary moved through hers. She had been living in the guest suite for ten days now, ever since the DNA results had confirmed what they both already knew but never spoke aloud. She had agreed to their arrangement for Aaden’s sake. She had not agreed to be studied like this.
“Justin,” she said, her voice careful and professional — the tone she used in boardrooms. “You’re home early p>
“I need to speak with you.” He walked to the television, picked up the remote, and muted the sound. Aaden made a small sound of protest. Justin held up one finger. “Give us a moment, buddy. Go find Mrs. Patterson for your snack p>
Aaden looked at Carmen. She nodded and pressed a quick kiss to his forehead. The boy scrambled to his feet and trotted from the room, his sneakers squeaking against the hardwood.
Carmen stood and smoothed her sweater — a gesture that drew Justin’s attention to the slight tremor in her fingers. She was nervous. Good.
“My father called me this morning,” Justin said, letting his voice carry the faintest crack. “My grandfather as well. They’ve issued an ultimatum p>
Carmen’s spine straightened. “Regarding p>
“Us.” Justin walked to the bar, poured two fingers of scotch he had no intention of drinking, and turned to face her, leaning against the mahogany with a posture designed to suggest exhaustion and defeat. “The magazine covers. The speculation. The donors pulling support. They say it’s damaging my political career. They say Aaden needs stability. A legal mother, not a—” He let the pause hang. “—girlfriend p>
P𝖣𝖥𝘴 𝗼𝘯
Carmen’s face went pale, then flushed. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.
“We had an agreement,” she said, her voice like ice, though her breathing had quickened. “PR relationship. Public appearances. I moved in for Aaden’s sake. There was nothing in our arrangement about p>
“I know.” Justin set the untouched scotch down and walked toward her, stopping just inside her personal space. Close enough that she could catch the scent of his cologne; far enough that she couldn’t accuse him of intimidation. “I’m not asking you to do this, Carmen. I’m telling you what they’re demanding. Marriage, or separation. Permanent legal guardianship for you, or complete severance. They want it decided within the month p>
He watched her process it. Watched the calculations running behind her eyes. She was thinking of Aaden — always Aaden. She was thinking of the mornings they had shared, the bedtime stories, the way the boy had taken to calling her “my Carmen” when he thought no one was listening. She was thinking of losing him.
“I won’t be trapped,” she whispered. But the conviction had already begun to drain from her voice.
“I’m not trying to trap you.” Justin reached out slowly and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. She flinched but didn’t pull away. “I’m trying to protect our son. And I’m trying to protect you. If they force me to cut ties, you’ll never see him again. Legal injunctions. Custody battles. You know what my family’s lawyers are capable of p>
Carmen’s eyes glistened. She stepped back and turned toward the window, wrapping her arms around herself. “This is insane. We don’t love each other. We barely know each other p>
Message from Noa: Have a beautiful weekend dear readers, hope you enjoy these days. God loves you and Noa wishes you all the best. p>