Chapter 14
Kaylee’s POV
Obviously, the Puth family would never approve of our marriage]
Jax’s brilliant solution? Sending his mother a photoshopped marriage certificate
1 silently rolled my eyes as he hit send. Did he seriously think his mother wouldn’t clock the fake? Especially since he’d somehow listed his age as 16 on the certificate when he was well past the legal age of 18
Surprisingly, Jax was just as annoyed with me.]
“Kaylee, for someone who pulled off a three–year disappearing act, you’re being zero help,” he groaned. “Work your magic on my mom instead of making me handle everything.
Let’s just hit her with the baby homb–tell her I knocked you up. Done deal, can’t argue with a grandkid on the way!”
I laughed despite my irritation:
Jax 1 I’ve actually lied to you about way more things than you realize.“[]
Jax suddenly went quiet.]
lenty of BS too.“]
Twe fed you plenty
Like what?”
“Like when I swore I was done with you forever, then showed up at your place literally the next morning,” Jax said softly. “I raided my trust fund that night
I figured since you were so hung up on money, I’d show you I wasn’t broke. If you were just after cash, whatever, I could live with
thac
“But you were ice cold. Completely vanished–you and everything you
Tve never seen anyone ghost that thoroughly.
owned
“Blocked on every platform, your finsta deleted, not a trace left. It was like you never existed.“[]
I remained silent[]
I’d cleared out that night like someone running from a crime scene.
Because I knew if I’d waited even one more day and Jax had come hack, my resolve would have crumbled completely.]
“The rich husband was total fiction, right? Even if someone paid you off, it had to be my mom
Jax paused, suddenly curious: “Hold up–how much did she actually offer you?
I stayed quiet for a long time, then turned away: “Just drop it
Jax flipped me back to face him: “No way. Spill.”
…Can we just sleep?
“Not happening until you tell me.“]
“Tive hundred thousand.”
“My mom wouldn’t lowball like that.“]
“A million.”
up as you go!”
“Kaylee, I can literally hear you making this up as
Two hundred million…“]
Jax launched a full–scale tickle attack
I broke down in helpless laughter until I finally gasped out: “I didn’t take a cent
Jax froze mid–tickle
After a moment, he lightly smacked my forehead: “Are you actually insane? What were you thinking? You should have cashed in! Isn’t money your whole thing?”
“Yeah” I shifted positions, my voice softening. “I thought I was losing my mind too
“But I just couldn’t go through with it.
“When she asked my price to walk away from you, I tried to calculate it–what was Jax Puth’s monetary value to me?
“I couldn’t figure it out. There was literally no number that made sense.
“So I finally decided, screw the money
“That way, in my mind, you’d always be priceless.”
Silence stretched between us. Eventually, I tried to turn to see his reaction.
Jax quickly grabbed me, preventing me from looking at his face.
“Are you crying?”
“No.”
“Jax, you’re such a softle.”
“Shut up!”
Classic Jax–saying one thing while doing another.
Telling me to shut up while simultaneously pulling back the covers and dragging me against him.]
The temperature between us climbed as our breathing grew heavier.[]
“Jax.“]
Hmm?
“I love you.”
During those three years of lies, I never stopped loving you
He was quiet for a long moment before his lips found the corner of my mouth ||
“Yeah, I know.“]
