Chapter 6

Shock registered in her widened eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a softness as Mrs. Madison wrapped her arms around me in a warm embrace. "Congratulations, my dear. You've certainly tamed this young man," she said with a kind smile.

Jasper, on the other hand, looked less pleased by the attention. His expression hardened as he observed our interaction, clearly annoyed. I could feel the weight of my guilt settling in my stomach as Mrs. Madison went about her morning routine. The lie I had told was beginning to take its toll on me. I turned away before it could consume me entirely.

I went to Jasper's room to retrieve my clothes, but as I held up my old purple t-shirt, I was met with his disapproving gaze. "You can't possibly wear that again," he remarked snidely.

I shot him a sharp retort, but held my tongue as he reminded me of the charade we had agreed upon. After all, he was my boss, and I had to play along with this facade for the next year. It was super frustrating, to say the le