Chapter 5

Fiona's POV:

"You're my wife, Fiona. I can't sit back and let you chat openly with another man—let alone one proposing marriage. Where is that done? Don't forget we're legally married," Rowan gritted out.

"But you have Sage Andrews's contact, and you chat with her."

"Fiona." Rowan glared at me. "Sit down and eat your food first. We'll sort this out at home."

I lost my appetite; I didn't want to sit and eat with my boss. But wasting food would be rude. Besides, it was my favorite meal, and he'd ordered the same.

This was the first time Mr. Carson and I shared a table. Before, he only asked me to fetch his lunch or coffee in the office. He never ate with me or asked what I liked.

Despite my anger, I sat back down, picked up my spoon, and ate while avoiding his eyes.

Rowan kept my phone; he didn't return it. I let him slide it into his trouser pocket.

I heard female patrons muttering.

"Are they seriously married? How can Mr. Carson cheat on Sage Andrews? Maybe it was a slip of the tongue. Or maybe it's not a real marriage."

I ignored the gossipmongers. After all, I was famished.

Part of me thrilled at Rowan's possessiveness. Maybe he truly wanted me as his wife, even if just for a short time. But another part ached because I knew it was fake. He didn't love me; he only used me to pass time while waiting for his true love.

I tried not to think about Sage Andrews, but she shadowed Rowan and me everywhere.

Picking up my spoon, my appetite returned. I focused on the part of me that believed Rowan would fall for me—that he'd love me during these two years.

My mind drifted to how he'd called me an outlet for stress. What if he grew used to me and didn't want to change?

I blushed at the thought. Rowan coughed, snapping me out of it.

"What are you thinking about? I'm done with my meal, and you're still halfway?" he asked, eyes on me.

"Um, I'll finish now," I replied with a pout, pursing my lips.

"Stop doing that with your mouth or thinking of other men in front of me. You're my wife now, so learn your status," Rowan said coldly. I nodded.

"Fine."

I hurried to finish as Rowan stood and left the restaurant. "I'll wait in the parking lot. Hurry up—we have to visit the jewelry store," he whispered into my left ear, his voice low and steady.

Unaware, his closeness made my heart race; the coolness of his breath fanned my ear.

Rowan walked away. I focused on my meal.

"Some women are so shameless, seducing her boss in broad daylight. I can't believe her audacity. Sage Andrews needs to hear about this," female patrons mocked. I chose not to reply.

After eating, I stood and dashed out with my bag, heading to the parking lot. Rowan stood by his car, phone in hand, speaking in a low, steady voice.

"Mom, I have no choice. I love Sage, but I must marry to get Grandpa's assets," Rowan replied.

Mrs. Carson gritted out over the call, "Rowan, we're richer than 100 million dollars. How can you secretly marry a lowlife just to claim your grandpa's fortune? I won't see that woman. I'll only accept Sage Andrews as my daughter-in-law. Don't bring her home. File for divorce immediately before it goes public. If you need money, you should have asked your dad and me. Why do this?"

Rowan didn't look at me. "Mom, Grandpa's legacy matters to me. I can't ignore it. As the first son of the Carson family, I make my own decisions. I'm not divorcing now. We will, but not today."

"Rowan!" His mother yelled. "Don't bring her here. It's best you don't take her home. If you give that woman a chance, what makes you think she'll agree to divorce easily?"

"Mom," Rowan groaned. "It's my choice. Sage understands. She's not back soon, so she agreed to me marrying Fiona for Grandpa's assets."

"What?" Mrs. Carson gasped, disbelief in her voice. "I can't believe that, Rowan. What woman lets her man marry another? Come home now and end this with your secretary!"

The call ended. Rowan exhaled heavily before looking at me.

"Are you ready? I still need to take you to see Grandpa. Though my mother can be mean, you'll have to put up with her," Rowan said softly. I nodded.

"Alright." I agreed and climbed into the front passenger seat.

Rowan stayed silent as he waited for me to fasten my seatbelt. He started the car and drove to a jewelry store.

When we arrived, he parked his black sports car. "Wait here. I'll be back."

"How about my phone?" I asked. He still had it.

Rowan hesitated, eyes flickering with disagreement.

"I won't call Josh again. I promise," I said. Relief softened his features.

Rowan's gaze warmed as he studied my face, then reached into his pocket and returned my phone.

"Good to see you know your place as my wife," he said, voice thick with excitement.

I tried not to blush, looked away, and took my phone.

"I'll be back," Rowan said. He hurried into the jewelry store for our rings.

I sat waiting, powering on my phone—he'd turned it off. It rang with an incoming call from my father.

Anxiety twisted my gut, but I answered.

"Fiona, what did you do to provoke Mr. Edwards's son? He called saying you're not marrying him and you're wed to your boss. Is that true?" Dad asked, voice booming with anger.

"Dad, I can explain when I get home."

"Fiona, since when are you like this? If I hadn't asked, you wouldn't tell me you're having an affair with your boss?"

"What? No, Dad. We just got married today," I said.

"What?" My father gasped. I prayed he wouldn't have a heart attack.

"Fiona, how can you marry your boss? Why secretly, without telling us? What kind of marriage is that? I don't accept it. Come home now. You're marrying Josh Edwards, and that's final."