Chapter 3

I decided to test whether the voice in my head was real and whether this so-called iceberg of a husband was really as cold as he pretended to be.

That afternoon, sunlight poured through Bradley Manor in warm golden streams.

I calculated the usual time Caden came downstairs for water. Then I picked up a glass of warm water and headed lightly toward the staircase.

[O-ho! Mom’s about to make a move! This is getting good!]

The excited little voice chirped in my head.

As I inhaled slowly, footsteps echoed from upstairs.

Closer and closer.

My heartbeat instantly sped up.

At the stair landing, I casually turned around right as Caden appeared, so we collided directly into each other.

As I let out a startled gasp and stumbled backward, the water in my hand splashed perfectly across his chest, instantly soaking his expensive white dress shirt. The wet fabric clung tightly to his body, faintly outlining the firm muscles underneath.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to!" I apologized out loud, though there wasn't a shred of sincerity in my eyes.

Quickly, I grabbed a tissue and reached toward his chest in a flustered panic. "Let me wipe it off for you."

Inside, though, I was practically laughing.

'Go ahead. Keep pretending. Let's see how much longer you can keep this act up.'

My fingertips brushed over the damp fabric, grazing the scorching heat of his skin beneath it.

[Mom! Nice! A little lower! Feel the abs!]

[He works out every single day hoping you'll look at him more!]

[He’s practically sculpted those abs from stone, yet Mom hasn’t even glanced at them!]

My hand paused.

Almost involuntarily, I followed the baby's enthusiastic prompts and slid lower. Beneath the thin layer of fabric, the firm, sharp contours of his muscles became unmistakable beneath my fingertips.

Honestly, the man's body was unfairly god-like.

Caden's entire body locked up instantly, like he'd been electrocuted. His breathing turned rough and uneven.

Then suddenly, he grabbed my wrist like a vice. The force was so strong it nearly crushed my bones.

"Don't touch me." His voice came out low and hoarse, strained with restraint.

I winced from the pain.

[Dad! You're hurting Mom! You idiot!

[Classic emotionally repressed gym bro! It’s no wonder you don’t have a wife!

[Let go already! Apologize! Are you trying to break Mom's wrist?!]

As if something had burned him, Caden abruptly released me.

The force of it actually sent him stumbling backward two full steps. His back slammed heavily against the wall with a dull thud.

He looked at me with an expression that was a chaotic tangle of emotions: shock, panic, and a flicker of what looked undeniably like embarrassment.

Then, without saying a single word, he turned and strode straight into the study.

Bang.

The door slammed shut hard enough to shake the hallway. A second later, I heard the lock click into place.

That retreating figure looked less like anger… and far more like a man fleeing for his life.

I lowered my gaze to my reddened wrist, then looked toward the tightly shut study door.

The smile on my lips slowly widened.

'Caden, your act is starting to crack.'