Chapter 3

Kathy Pov

I made up my mind that I refuse to entertain his petty excuses or deceitful justifications for his behavior any longer. For a full minute, there's nothing but silence. He grinds his molars, and I know they’ll break any second. His laser stare is so intense that I can almost feel it piercing the wall behind me.

In an unexpected burst of movement, he rose to his feet, leaving me momentarily off balance as I adjusted to his sudden change. He faced the bald man and sharply gestured toward the door. The man, wiping his sweaty face urgently, bolted out without hesitation. As the door closed behind us, he buttoned his suit jacket and cleared his throat firmly. "My brother was in an accident a week ago," he stated confidently.

I furrowed my brow and said firmly, "What are you talking about? You don’t have a brother." He met the gaze head-on, asserting, "I have one and I've chosen not to share until this moment. He lives with my father." My legs felt heavy, prompting me to take a seat in the chair. “But why?” I inquired, looking him in the eye. “Can you clarify what you mean by ‘why’?”

I shook my head in disbelief. "We were about to marry each other and take an oath to remain together until death separates us. We are supposed to trust one another completely. Yet here you are, telling me that you have a brother whom you've known for the last six months, and you chose to avoid mentioning him. Now do you understand why?"

He clenches his jaw and asserts, "The real issue isn't that my brother had a brutal accident; it's that I deliberately kept it from you. Isn't that right?"

My heart truly goes out to him; I understand all too well the weight of having a loved one in the hospital. I stood up and approached him with intention, sensing the need for connection. As I drew closer, I noticed the slight stubble on his cheek—a stark contrast to his usual clean-shaven appearance—and it struck me just how weary he must feel. Gazing into his deep green eyes, I softly said, "Jay, I can see the exhaustion etched on your face, the toll this has taken on you. How is your brother holding up? What exactly happened? Please know that I’m here for you, ready to support you in any way you need."

He took a step back, "There is. Just sign these papers, and we’ll be heading back to New York in no time." I tilted my head and said, "Jay, I understand where you're coming from, but right now isn't the best time for that. After everything we've been through, we need to prioritize his recovery. Let’s focus on supporting your brother first, and we can revisit this conversation once he’s feeling better, okay?"

Suddenly he stepped into my personal space, and when I tried to step back he held my waist tight and pulled me firmly against his hard rock cheat. I felt like my whole body zapped with buzzing electricity which I never felt with him. Before I had a chance to collect my thoughts, he deftly cupped my chin with his forefinger and thumb, his gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that felt as though he were probing my very soul. "We have no time," he declared, his voice steady and commanding. "I take no for an answer. Do you understand?"

In a daze, I nodded as his fingers danced deftly. Suddenly, the bald man burst in, swiftly gathering all the papers and laying them out on the table with precision. Jason’s hand retreated away from me, and I could feel the sharp ache of his absence deep within me. But with unwavering determination, I signed every single paper. As I handed it over, he confidently took the document and proclaimed, "You've signed a prenup, which means there’s simply no way you’ll be getting a divorce from me."