Chapter 25
Chapter 25:
“You let me believe I was marrying a broke playboy! You let me believe this was a simple, transactional arrangement to cover your real life p>
“You are safe,” Gaston said. “Safer than you have ever been p>
“No!” Jocelyn cried. “I’m not safe — I’m trapped! Don’t you see? I traded a mother who controlled me for a husband who owns me! Who are you, Gaston? What is your last name p>
She grabbed the door handle. “Stop the car. I want to get out p>
Gaston reached over and locked the doors from his console.
“Don’t be childish, Jocelyn p>
I𝗇𝘵𝘦𝗇s𝘦 𝘳om𝖺nce 𝗼𝘯 𝗀𝖺𝗅ոo𝘷𝖾𝗹ѕ.𝘤𝘰𝘮
“Childish? I want a divorce. I want out of this contract. I’ll give you the money back. I don’t care p>
Gaston turned to face her. His features were shadowed by the passing streetlights.
“You can’t divorce me p>
“Watch me p>
“If you leave now,” Gaston said, his voice low and measured, “Robert will destroy you. He’ll drain the accounts before the audit is finished. Kieran will sue you for the hard drive. Aspen will spin the story that you’re unstable p>
Jocelyn went still. He was right. She knew he was right.
“You need me,” Gaston said. “You need my name as a shield p>
“And what do you need?” she whispered. “Why are you doing this? You’re clearly powerful. Wealthy. You could have anyone. Why me? Is it because I won’t ask questions about your other life? Your real preferences p>
Gaston looked away, out at the blurring city beyond the window.
“I need a respectable public image,” he said, the lie tasting like ash in his mouth. “My board is pushing for a merger that requires a certain domestic stability. A wife provides that. It quiets speculation p>
It was a plausible, cold, corporate reason. And it fit the narrative Jocelyn had already constructed for herself — that he was a powerful man who required a wife for public appearances, nothing more.
“So it’s still a transaction,” she said. “Just bigger p>
“An upgrade,” Gaston said. He turned back to her. “I’m offering you a partnership, Jocelyn. Real power. Not the scraps your family threw you p>
Jocelyn looked down at her hands. At the diamond ring he had slipped onto her finger — massive, heavy, undeniable.
“What are the terms?” she asked quietly.
“We stay married,” Gaston said. “For real, in the public eye. You play the role of my wife. You use my resources to build your own firm. I handle your enemies p>
“And in private p>
“In private —” Gaston hesitated, his eyes searching hers. “We figure it out p>
The car pulled into the underground garage of Collins Tower.
“I’ll draft a new agreement,” Gaston said. “Tonight p>
Jocelyn nodded. She felt as though she had just sold her soul. But at least the devil was on her side.
The study in the penthouse was quiet. The only sound was the scratch of Gaston’s fountain pen moving across thick paper.
Jocelyn sat in the armchair, wrapped in a cashmere blanket. She was still wearing the red dress, but she had kicked off her heels.
“Here,” Gaston said, sliding the paper across the desk.
Jocelyn picked it up.
Amendment to Marriage Contract