Chapter 5: Ask Me, Use Me

[Giana's POV]

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Five weeks later.

[Giana, your divorce has been finalized. I already got the email.]

Mel’s message arrived just after I finished picking up my pregnancy medication from the pharmacy. Vitamins, pregnancy supplements, and anti-nausea medication.

“Thank you,” I said, taking the paper bag with the pharmacy’s name printed in large letters on the front.

[Hold on, I’m coming to your office now.]

I sent the message as I walked toward her office.

For the past few weeks, I had been renting a small room in a house near Mel’s office. The location was convenient. I could walk to the supermarket, clinic, or pharmacy, so I could take care of all my needs there, including my prenatal checkups.

Ten weeks along now.

Of course, I had already gotten new credit and debit cards and changed my insurance so the Windsor family couldn’t receive notifications from my clinic or pharmacy. We were officially divorced now, but I still had to be careful about my pregnancy.

“Finally found you.”

I turned my head. Axel ran toward me. I spotted his car parked not far from Mel’s house.

Quickly, I squeezed the pharmacy bag and stuffed it into my bag. But maybe it was too late.

“Are you sick? Why are you picking up your own medicine if you’re sick?”

“Why are you here?” I changed the subject. “How did you find this place? Don’t tell me you’ve been spying on me.”

“Basic deduction? You’re using Lowman Law’s services, and today is around the deadline for your divorce. I figured you might be meeting your lawyer today.”

“Right. You’ve always been so sharp,” I narrowed my eyes, “but why are you here?”

“To see you, of course.” Axel chuckled.

“Stop it, Axel. Please. Don't come see me and don't get involved in my business."

"Why?" 

I furrowed my brow. "You realize I’m already divorced from your brother, right? We're not family anymore." 

“Yeah, so that’s a good thing, right? You don’t have to think of me as your little brother anymore.”

I rubbed my temples. Then I walked away from him. Axel called after me several times, but I ignored him.

There’s no point entertaining Axel. I need to settle things with Mel before I leave this town with the baby I’m carrying.

Quickening my pace, I went into Mel's house-slash-office and immediately shut the door. Mel wasn't there.

Mel's doorbell rang over and over. I went to the door and opened it, annoyed. Of course, Axel was there. 

“What do you actually want?” I asked, exhausted.

“Simple. Don’t block me, reply to my messages sometimes, and answer my calls,” he said. "Basically, just don't ignore me." 

His hand held the door open, stopping me from closing it.

“I know my brother treated you badly. So did my parents. But why do you have to treat me as an enemy too? Have I ever done anything bad to you?”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“You’re a Windsor.”

“I’d betray them for you,” he said instantly, with a certain look on his face. 

“Do you really think I can trust the words of a Windsor that easily?”

“Giana.” Mel’s voice came from the bathroom. She walked toward me with a confused expression. “What are you doing there?”

“How about this?” Axel turned toward Mel. “You’re a lawyer, right? Let’s make a contract.”

Mel nodded. “Well, yes. I can help you with that. But who are you?”

“Axel Wind–”

"He's Jasper's brother. And no, I don't need a contract with him, Mel," I refused.

"Why not? If you need a contract to allow me into your life, I'm willing."

"What are you even for in my life?" I asked sarcastically, scoffing.

"Anything. I will help you. Ask me. Use me. My name, my money,” he pleaded, “I promise I will be useful." 

I narrowed my eyes. My arms crossed over my chest.

Actually, there was a lot I could gain from Axel. I could use him, make him my pawn. A spy if I wanted to protect my child from Jasper and the Windsor family.

But this was too good to be true. Axel offering himself up for me to use just like that? The Windsor family wouldn't make an offer without some benefit for themselves, would they? 

“What do you want in return?”

“Well, I think what I want is the same thing you want.”

He looked at me seriously.

“Jasper’s downfall.”

That sentence sounded beautiful to my ears. It shook my plan to leave this city and focus on raising my child, if only for a moment. 

“Too bad. I don’t care about that at all. I can’t help you with this sibling rivalry. I don’t want anything to do with your family after this,” I said casually. 

As long as they don't mess with me and my baby, that is. After all, I will protect what's mine, and anyone who comes after it won't walk away unscathed.

“You don’t have to deal with them. Your business is with me,” Axel argued. “Jasper doesn’t realize your role in Nexora or in his own life right now. He’ll fall apart on his own without you, and when that happens, I’ll take Nexora from him.”

I smiled faintly. It was somewhat satisfying to hear someone recognize and appreciate what I had been doing behind the scenes.

“I need your brain, your know-how, your—no, I need you on my side.”

I thought for a moment, carefully weighing what I could gain against the risks.

He could be useful; he could be an asset to me, and a long-term investment.

“Fine, let’s make a contract.” I took a breath. “But I’ll be the one setting everything. The terms. The boundaries. Everything. Including the consequences if you betray me.”

“I won’t betray you. But sure, let’s do that.”