chapter 8

JADE

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

I sighed and leaned back against the sofa, staring at my older sister.

Olivia had been asking me variations of the same question for almost twenty minutes. She had come over after seeing everything that happened with Julian online, and although I appreciated that she was worried about me, I was beginning to lose my patience.

“Yes, Olivia. I’m sure.”

She shook her head, pushing her red hair away from her face.

“Jade, I know you’re hurt. I know what Julian did was terrible, and believe me, I’m just as angry as you are. But marrying Dominic Cross?”

“What exactly is wrong with it?”

She gave me a disbelieving look. “You’re seriously asking me that?”

“Yes, I am.”

Olivia shifted in her seat. She had always been a little fuller-figured than me, with a curvy frame and a face that rarely hid what she was thinking.

Although we were half sisters, we were only three months apart in age. People often assumed we were twins when we were younger, especially because we had grown up so close.

She was usually the person I went to whenever I had a problem. I just hadn’t expected her to become an obstacle when I needed her support the most.

“Jade, you don’t understand who you’re getting involved with,” she said. “Dominic Cross isn’t some ordinary businessman. People avoid that man. There are things about him that you don’t know, and I don’t think you should be involving yourself with someone like him.”

I rolled my eyes.

“Here we go again.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. Julian made a fool of me for seven years, Olivia. Seven years! I gave that man everything, and he threw me away like I was nothing. Now that I finally have a chance to make him pay, you’re sitting here trying to talk me out of it.”

“I’m not trying to defend Julian!”

“Then what exactly are you doing?”

“I’m trying to make you think clearly!”

I let out a frustrated breath.

“Well, I have thought about it. I’ve considered everything, and I’ve made my decision.”

Olivia stared at me for a moment before shaking her head.

“You don’t sound like yourself.”

I frowned.

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’re letting your anger make decisions for you. I’ve known you my entire life, Jade. You’re not someone who would normally agree to marry a strange man just because you want to get back at your ex.”

“Then I have changed.”

“Perhaps you’re too hurt to see how ridiculous this sounds.”

I sat up. “Ridiculous?”

“Yes, ridiculous. You’re talking about marrying a man you barely know and moving into his house. All because you want revenge on Julian. Have you even stopped to think about what could happen?”

“I don’t care what happens to Julian.”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about!”

Olivia raised her voice, then quickly lowered it.

“Jade, listen to me. I’m angry with Julian too. I wish I could make him regret what he did to you. But this Dominic man is dangerous. You don’t know what he’s capable of.”

I folded my arms.

“He’s a businessman, Olivia. What do you expect him to do? Kidnap me and lock me in his basement?”

“Don’t joke about this!”

“I’m not joking. He’s a businessman who cares about his company and his public image. Do you honestly think he’d do something that could ruin all of that? If anything happens to me, his company could suffer. He has too much to lose.”

Olivia looked at me as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“And what happens when he decides he wants more than what you agreed to give him? What happens when you realise you’ve put yourself in a situation you can’t get out of?”

I looked away.

I understood that Olivia was worried, but I was tired of everyone treating me like I was making the biggest mistake of my life.

For once, I wanted someone to stand beside me without questioning every decision I made.

“I’ve already made up my mind,” I said. “I’m not going to change it.”

“Jade…”

“Please, Olivia. I don’t need another lecture.”

She went quiet and I reached for my glass of water on the coffee table and took a sip, hoping that would be the end of the conversation.

My phone started ringing and I picked it up and glanced at the screen.

Dominic Cross. Speak of the devil.

I answered the call. “Hello?”

“Miss Hart.”

His deep voice came through the phone, low and controlled, the same voice that had told me in his office that once he put his hands on me I wouldn’t be asking him to stop.

“Yes?”

“The final draft of the contract is ready. I’m bringing it over now.”

I glanced at Olivia, who was watching me closely.

“All right. I’m home, and I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Good. I’ll be there shortly.”

The call ended.

I placed my phone on the table and looked at my sister.

Olivia narrowed her eyes. “Was that him?”

“Yes.”

“He’s coming here?”

I nodded.

She let out a long breath and leaned back against the sofa.

“Wonderful.”

I ignored her sarcasm.

A little over twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang and I got up immediately.

I walked towards the door and opened it.

Dominic stood outside in a dark suit, looking as composed as ever. His shoulder-length hair was neatly arranged, and his blue eyes settled on me as soon as the door opened. The air shifted the moment he stepped over the threshold and something about the way he looked at me made my pulse jump under my skin.

He stepped inside, followed by Mateo, who was carrying a black leather folder.

“Good afternoon,” Mateo greeted politely.

“Good afternoon.”

I closed the door behind them and Dominic’s gaze moved towards the living room, where Olivia was now standing.

“Dominic, this is my sister, Olivia.”

He gave her a brief nod.

“Pleasure.”

He said it politely, but his expression remained unchanged. Cool. Assessing. Completely unbothered by the open disapproval on her face.

Olivia folded her arms across her chest.

“Likewise.”

It was obvious that she didn’t mean it. I gave her a warning look, but she ignored me.

Dominic seemed uninterested in whatever opinion she had formed about him. He turned his attention back to me.

“Shall we?”

“Yes. Come in.”

I led them towards the living room.

Mateo placed the folder on the coffee table while Dominic took one of the seats. I sat opposite him, and Olivia reluctantly settled beside me. She was clearly not happy about having him in the house, but she didn’t leave either.