Chapter 10
Nadia wasn’t about to let him steamroll her. “My business, not yours,” she snapped, chin up, eyes blazing.
Jason’s jaw twitched like he was chewing on nails. Keep this up, and they’d both be drowning in a shouting match. He flexed his fists, forcing his voice to stay level. “Mom’s asking about your brother. Cook up some excuse and call her.”
“No point,” Nadia said, her tone cool but cutting. “Once I’ve got my ducks in a row, I’ll lay it all bare. I’ve been suffocating for three years, Jason, and I’m done letting anyone guilt–trip me into staying.”
“Suffocating?” His face darkened, voice dripping with sarcasm. “What, the designer bags, the five–star dinners, the endless credit line–that’s suffocating you? One little snag, and you’re throwing a hissy fit, storming off like some spoiled princess. Mom’s treated you better than Chloe ever got, and you’re still whining. What’s it gonna take, huh? Signing over the mall’s prime spot to Woodward’s Sugar Nest?”
Nadia’s heart twisted, a sharp pang stealing her breath. Her lips trembled, but she dropped her gaze, shielding the raw hurt and despair clawing at her chest.
Jason’s eyes flickered, catching the quiver of her lashes. For a heartbeat, the air between them crackled with unspoken regrets. J
Then Nadia pulled her hand free and slowly slipped the diamond studs from her ears. “Jason, I gave back your black card. These earrings? They’re yours too. I didn’t touch a single piece of jewelry at the house–deal with it however you want. Just find five minutes in your oh–so–busy life to sign the divorce papers. Then I’m not your problem, and you’re not wasting cash
on me.”
She pressed the earrings into his hand, her touch fleeting, and strode off without looking back.
Kate appeared from Building D, waving her toward the curb.
Nadia gave a quick nod, then threw one last glance at Jason. “I was a fool for thinking you’d ever understand.”
Jason’s fist tightened, and the earrings slipped through his fingers, clinking softly against the pavement.
“She’s gotta be nuts, right? Dumping you?” Paul slunk back into view, grinning like he’d stumbled on prime gossip.
“Zip it,” Jason growled, storming to his car. He didn’t wait for Paul’s next jab–just slammed the door and peeled out, tires. screeching.
Meanwhile, Paul, obsessed with impressing Clive, had the front desk pull up the security footage. His game plan? Pump up Abby’s strengths and trash her competition. But then-
“That’s her. Total stunner, right?” the receptionist said, smirking like she’d just spilled the juiciest tea.
Paul’s jaw hit the floor. Clive’s top pick is Nadia? What kind of soap–opera twist is this?”
Jason’s “useless” wife–the one who only ever posted about her gourmet meal–prep for him online–was the same woman Clive was raving about for her talent.
The receptionist waved a hand in front of Paul’s stunned face. “Hey, boss, don’t go cooking up any dumb ideas.”
Paul burst out laughing, shaking his head. “Today’s on the down–low. Not a peep, got it?”
Clive, sensing Nadia might be bummed about the whole “stand–in” drama, floated the idea of a team dinner to welcome her to the crew.
The gang was so warm and chatty, Nadia couldn’t wiggle out of it. So, they all piled into a lively seafood spot down the street. The bathroom there was a straight–up nightmare–one grimy, unisex stall that smelled like a fish market gone wrong.
Nadia wasn’t about it and slipped out to the public restroom across the lot. As she stepped back into the muggy night, Ray cut her off.
“Hey, ma’am. Mr. Black is at that fancy place across the street,‘ he said, nodding toward the glowing windows of a sleek
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Chapter 10
restaurant.
Nadia bent over the outdoor sink, scrubbing her hands. “He’s a big boy, Ray. Doesn’t need me keeping tabs on him.”
Ray leaned in, not letting it go. “Madam’s not doing great. She was at the hospital today, even asked about treatments that could help your brother.” He caught the flicker of doubt in her eyes and pushed harder. “Come on, grab dinner with him. Then you two can swing by and check on her together.”
Nadia’s heart tugged. She was desperate for her brother to pull through, and she needed to cushion the blow for Madge before the divorce news hit her like a freight train.
“Alright, let me tell the crew I’m bailing,” she said.
Ray gave her a heads–up. “Fair warning–he’s in a rotten mood. Might not be Mr. Patient tonight.”
Nadia rolled her eyes. ‘When is he ever?‘
Back in the rowdy private room, she swapped laughs with the group a bit longer before standing. “Clive, I gotta split. Something came up.”
Clive frowned. “It’s late, Nadia. Ash, walk her out?”
Ash started to stand, but Nadia gently pushed her back down. “No worries, Ash. My ride’s already here.”
The restaurant was literally across the street, but Nadia took a sneaky detour to dodge any nosy coworkers. Jason, looming by the window like a storm cloud, clocked her every move.
The second she stepped inside, his voice was pure ice.“What, too embarrassed to be seen with me now?” Nadia didn’t flinch. “Just not in the mood for whispers about me clinging to my ex after we’re through.”
Before she could finish, he grabbed her chin, eyes blazing. “You looking for a new guy already? At least pick someone who’s not a total downgrade.”
Jason was pissed. Earlier that day, during a client meeting, someone had popped open a box of fancy reishi mushroom soup. The logo on the package? It was from Nadia’s go–to shop, no question. There was no way that wasn’t hers.
Nadia had zero clue what he was on about, but she wasn’t here to play nice.
“He’s not some heartthrob like you, and he’s not swimming in money, but he’s got my back. That’s all I need,” she shot back, chin up.
Jason’s jaw ticked, his voice low and cutting. “Got your back? Enough to drag your brother out of that coma?” He stepped closer, eyes glinting with something dark. “I might not be able to fix him, but I can make damn sure he never wakes up.”
Nadia’s breath caught, her eyes narrowing to slits.
‘What a heartless thing to say, and he’s standing there like it’s nothing. Total sleaze!‘ she thought, her blood boiling.
When she didn’t snap back, Jason backed off, fishing out a cigarette and lighting it with a lazy flick.
Nadia sank into the couch, staring at her hands, fighting the tears threatening to spill. Her chest felt like it’d been stomped on.
“You’re out of your mind,” she muttered, barely audible.
Then she froze. A soft velvet box landed in her lap.
She popped it open, and there it was–a ruby necklace, so rich and vivid it practically pulsed, set in sleek white gold with tiny. pink diamonds that softened its over–the–top vibe into something sultry, almost magnetic. This thing screamed money.
What’s Jason up to now?‘ she wondered, her brain spinning.
She glanced up, totally thrown. “What’s the deal with this?”
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12:56 PM
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Chapter 10
Jason’s brows knitted, cigarette dangling as he shrugged. “Was for a client. Deal fell through. Thought you might like it.”
Nadia let out a dry, bitter laugh. Just yesterday, she’d flipped through a magazine in Ivory’s car, the cover flashing a ruby necklace just like this.
That “client” was Abby, no doubt–probably turned it down because it wasn’t her vibe, so now Jason’s tossing it her way like she’s the runner–up.
She racked her brain, wondering if all the sparkly stuff in her safe was just Abby’s castoffs.
Snapping the box shut, she plastered on a fake smile. “Once I’m done with you, I won’t be waltzing into black–tie events anymore, so I won’t need this kind of bling. It’s got that wedding–day glow, though–perfect for you and Abby’s engagement shoot.”
Jason’s lips curled into a mocking smirk. “Walk away from me, and you’re not just skipping galas. You won’t afford your fancy clothes, your designer bags, or your brother’s hospital bills.”
Nadia’s knees wobbled, his words hitting like a punch to the gut, grinding her pride into dust. It was like he’d ripped her heart open and kept tossing in handfuls of salt.
But when he saw the hurt flickering in her eyes, despite her best effort to play it cool, Jason’s voice softened, just a hair. “I’m willing to let your little meltdown slide,” he said, slow and deliberate. “Drop this divorce crap, and you’ll still have it all–your brother’s care, everything.”
“Mr. Black,” Nadia cut in, her smile sharp as a blade but cold as ice. “You’re practically Mother Teresa, huh? Shame I’m not cut out for your handouts.”
He crushed the cigarette in his hand, his tone razor–sharp. “Watch it.”
“You’re a pro at running your company, looking out for your people–but you don’t owe me squat. I’m over the champagne- and–caviar life. I want something real, something simple. Let’s just split and call it even.”
That lit a fuse in Jason, his eyes practically sparking. “Nadia, don’t be dumb. With your background? Without me, you’d never even get a foot in the door of high society.”
“Yeah, you opened that door,” she fired back, “but this world’s not what I signed up for. I’m out–on it and you.”
“Leave me, and you’ll crash and burn,” he growled, voice dripping with venom.
Nadia’s laugh was sharp, fearless. “Oh, really? Just watch. I’m gonna shine brighter without you.”
Jason smashed the cigarette butt to nothing, his gaze cold enough to freeze fire. “I’ll be right here when you come crawling
back.”
He stormed out, the door slamming so hard it rattled the walls, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
12:56 PM
Chapter il
