Chapter 2
“Mr. Black!” The security guard clocked the car and dropped into a bow like he was greeting royalty.
“Mr. Black, Nadia’s not always goofing off, you know. But if you’re looking to switch her out, I’ve got people lined up…” Ellen sauntered over, all slick smiles, whipping out a business card holder like he was pitching a deal.
A job with the Black family was the ultimate score–fat paychecks, cushy perks, and a chance to brush shoulders with the city’s elite. People would sell their souls to snag Nadia’s spot.
Jason sat in the car, silent, his presence heavy enough to make the air feel like lead.
Every fake grin around him stalled, faces stuck like they’d been slapped. It was a blistering July day in Brookshire, but a cold, sweat trickled down their spines.
The tension was so thick one could choke on it.
A minute dragged by, then the window hummed down. Jason’s voice sliced through, low and arctic. “If you’re running such a tight ship, why’re you out here yapping? Don’t like the job? Beat it.”
Ellen’s smile curdled into something desperate, his legs wobbling like he might hit the deck and start groveling.
Jason wasn’t just a player–he was the game. One word from him could tank a company’s future in Brookshire before the sun went down.
The crowd bobbed their heads like spooked pigeons. Then Jason’s razor–sharp gaze landed on Nadia.
“Get in.“Jason said.
“I’ve got things to do.”
His brow twitched, just a flicker. “Don’t test me.”
Nadia swallowed a sigh. With every eye on her, she slid into the car, hugging the door to keep as much distance as she could from Jason.
The Maybach glided out of the complex, smooth as silk. Jason lit a cigarette, the smoke curling around him like a bad vibe.
He blew out a cloud, his words sharp and sour. “So, the guy who’s all big talk out there’s a total dud in bed, huh?”
Nadia stared straight ahead, lips sealed, not giving him an inch.
Nadia stared straight ahead, lips sealed, not giving him an inch.
She flicked her eyes over. Her divorce papers, first draft. “I’m out. I want a divorce.”
The air in the car turned to ice, so heavy it felt like the walls were closing in.
Ray Miller, the driver, clutched the wheel like it was a lifeline, eyes locked on the road, doing his best to act like he wasn’t trapped in the middle of this mess.
“Give me one damn reason,” Jason said, his voice sharp and cold as a winter blade.
“It’s all there, plain as day.”
Nadia nudged the center console up, half–braced for him to sling the papers at her.
Jason leaned back, eyes narrowing, his voice slow and sharp. “Three years of marriage. The guy’s loaded but can’t deliver on emotional or physical needs. No time for ‘real love.”
His tone grew colder with every word, the last bit practically growled.
Nadia didn’t flinch. It was the unvarnished truth.
Three years hitched to Jason, and he’d showered her with cash–designer bags, sparkling jewels, the whole nine yards. But after that one night three years back, he hadn’t laid a hand on her.
1/8
1133 AM C
Chapter 2
He barely showed up at No. 8 Crest Manor, maybe six months total in all that time. Forget heat in the bedroom–there wasn’t even a spark of basic care.
This marriage was a hollowed–out husk. Nadia could scream she was Mrs. Black from the rooftops, and no one would bat an
eye.
Jason’s eyes still closed, like he was mocking her. Then he let out a harsh laugh. “Three years of you sitting pretty, doing nothing, and now you think you deserve my money? Get outta here.”
Sure, to everyone else, Nadia was just a lazy housewife. But in secret, she’d been grinding, stitching up high–end gowns to keep her skills from rusting. The pay was peanuts, but it was hers.
Asking for a cut of his fortune? That was just to screw with him. He’d paraded his mistress like a trophy–she needed to hit back.
Nadia was no stranger to Jason’s venom, but his words still burned, slicing deep into her chest.
She turned to the window, hiding the hurt. He took it as her running from him and grabbed her chin, yanking her face back to his. “You spread your legs for my money back then, and now you’re pulling this divorce stunt for the same damn thing. Nadia,
as low as it gets.”
you’re
His words were knives, each one twisting deeper.
She clenched her fists, staring at the floor to keep her composure. “Jason, I’ve been your wife for three years. I’ve cooked, cleaned, kept your world spinning. Even a maid gets a paycheck.”
His hand darted to her earlobe, pinching it hard enough to make her wince. “A maid wouldn’t touch those earrings in a million years.”
Nadia tried to twist free, but his grip was a vice. She wouldn’t put it past him to rip the studs out in a fury, leaving her ear bloody.
Her face was a mix of defiance and pain, and it only stoked his anger. “What, you found some guy who can actually get it up for you?”
Nadia bit her lip, terrified her voice would crack and betray her. Her silence screamed guilty to him.
His eyes glinted with cruel amusement as he eased his grip, his thumb grazing her earlobe almost gently. “Married or divorced, I’m the one who decides. Not you.”
Nadia didn’t understand.
When Abby ditched him and left the country, he’d married her in a fit of spite.
Abby was back in town; and it had Sophie’s mind racing.
‘Why’s he still holding on to me when he could chase the love he really wants?‘ she thought, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. ‘Is it just his ego? Or is he scared a divorce would pin the “homewrecker” tag on Abby and torch her perfect career?‘
Papers signed or not, Nadia had to make her stand clear.
“No one even knows we’re married. Everyone still thinks you’re pining for Abby. She’s back now, kicking ass, and the world would throw you two a parade for getting your fairy–tale ending,“she said.
Jason, about to dial his phone, froze and snapped his head toward her. “You’d be fine with that?”
Her heart seized, a raw, jagged pain tearing through her.
Her eyes stung, but she forced the tears down. “It’s only a matter of time.” If she didn’t say it, Abby would.
Jason locked eyes with her, his gaze drilling into her soul, frustration rolling off him in waves. “I told you, I decide when this is
over.”
He chucked the divorce papers at her, the pages smacking against her thighs. “Clean up your own mess.
Nadia opened her mouth to fire back. “I-”
2/3
11:33 AM
Chapter 2
His phone buzzed, cutting her off. His chief secretary, asking if they should push the board meeting.
“No, I’m almost there.” Jason hung up and barked at Ray, “Pull over.”
It was a lousy spot to grab a cab, but Ray didn’t dare argue. He flicked a glance at Nadia in the rearview mirror.
She spoke first. “Stop here. It’s not far. I’ll walk.”
She stepped out, leaning down to the open window. “If you change your—”
Thwack-
A black credit card flew out, skidding into the dirt, followed by his irritated growl. “Buy whatever the hell you want.”
Before she could pick it up, the Maybach roared off, kicking up a cloud of dust that burned her eyes.
“I’m done with this place tonight!” she hollered at the shrinking taillights, needing to let it out, to draw a line in the sand, She turned to head back and pack, her heart still racing. At the entrance, she scanned her face to get in and caught her reflection–her ears and cheeks were blotched with ugly purple bruises.
‘Damn, that jerk really went for it, she cursed silently.
She’d just reached the front of No. 8 Crest Manor when someone yelled her way. “Hey, Nadia, grab that water and bring it in!” To everyone who didn’t know better, she was just the Black family’s maid, but running errands for the property crew? That wasn’t in her job description.
Still, Jason had it out for her, so even the maintenance guys acted like they could boss her around.
The property manager, Ellen, clocking her messed–up appearance, gave a smug grin. “Got put in your place by Mr. Black, huh? Look, sunbathing on that fancy terrace, flopping around in the pool–you really thought you were hot stuff? Newsflash: you’re no princess. A sparrow doesn’t turn into a swan.”
Nadia’s blood boiled, but she let out a dry, biting laugh. “I’m done playing lapdog for Jason. And you lot, sneering down at me? Take a hard look in the mirror before you start running your mouths.”
She was through being the perfect little Mrs. Black. No one was going to prance around, acting like they owned her, ever again Elien’s eyes nearly popped out, floored. “Done? You’re draped in designer labels you’d never sniff without Mr. Black’s cash. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Him keeping you around for three years? That’s your lucky break of the century.”
Nadia spun to leave, ready to ditch this whole scene, when a heavy hand clamped her shoulder.
Ellen shoved a pair of grimy gloves into her hands. “Don’t get cute. Move that water now, or I’m telling Mr. Black you’re half- assing it.
Nadia’s stomach dropped. She glanced back and saw it—a sleek sedan parked behind the property crew’s rickety cart. And there, leaning against the car door with that infuriating cool, was Jason.
