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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: The Next Move
publish date:
2026-04-26 17:11:48
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The wife they never expected CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE Compromised
Anna’s POV---The KnockSomeone knocks on the office door again.Sharp. Professional. Persistent.Neither of us answers.---The ProblemBecause Xavier is still kissing me like he forgot the rest of the world exists.And honestly?I might have forgotten too.---My HandsThey remain tangled in his shirt while his hand stays firm against my waist.Holding me close.Possessive enough to make my pulse impossible to control.---Xavier Pulls Back SlightlyOnly slightly.Just enough for both of us to breathe.Barely.---His Forehead Rests Against MineAnd the moment his breathing brushes across my lips again—Every coherent thought disappears completely.---XavierLow voice.Rougher now.“Tell me to stop.”---My HeartThat shouldn’t affect me as much as it does.Because even now— even like this— he’s giving me the choice.---My Truth“I don’t want you to.”Barely above a whisper.Completely honest.---SilenceThe look in Xavier’s eyes afterward nearly destroys me.Because that expres
The wife they never expected CHAPTER FIFTY Four O’Clock
Xavier’s POV---Four O’ClockI should not be distracted.There are still unresolved media issues. Three pending investor calls. A legal review waiting for approval.And yet—I have reread the same document twice because all I can think about is Anna blushing in the conference room.---ProblematicVery problematic.---My ThoughtsShe looked at me like she was remembering last night again.And the fact that I noticed immediately says concerning things about my current level of self-control.---WorseThe fact that I enjoyed it says worse things.---The OfficeThe executive floor remains busy around me.Phones ringing. Assistants moving quickly. Meetings continuing.Normal corporate chaos.But my attention keeps shifting toward the clock anyway.---Clara NoticesUnfortunately.---Clara“You’re staring at time now.”---My Eyes LiftInteresting.“When did you become observant?”---Clara’s Expression Stays Flat“You told legal ‘good morning’ twice.”A pause.“You’re distracted.”---
The wife they never expected CHAPTER FORTY-NINE Unprofessional
Anna’s POV---The ProblemThe problem with Xavier becoming softer toward me—Is that now I notice every small thing.---The OfficeTo everyone else on the executive floor, he still looks terrifying.Cold expression. Sharp voice. Perfect control.Three employees nearly panic when he corrects a report during the morning meeting.Nobody relaxes around Xavier Cortez.Nobody except me.---WorseI think I’m becoming addicted to being the exception.---ObservationBecause five minutes after terrifying an entire conference room—This man quietly slides coffee toward me without interrupting the meeting.Already made exactly the way I like it.---Internal CollapseRidiculous.Absolutely ridiculous.---FlashbackHis hands against my skin last night. His voice rougher than usual when he whispered my name. The way he lost composure every time I kissed him back—---My Breath CatchesDangerous memory.Especially during a financial presentation.---Clara Notices ImmediatelyOf course she does
The wife they never expected CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT Chosen
Xavier’s POVSilenceThe boardroom remains silent long after Madison leaves.No one moves immediately.No one speaks.Because humiliation at that level leaves damage behind.---My ThoughtsGood.---The DifferenceMonths ago, I might have handled this quietly.Privately.Efficiently.Now?The moment Madison involved Anna—This stopped being business.---Beside MeI can still feel Anna’s hand in mine beneath the table.Warm.Slightly trembling.Still there.---DangerousThat affects me more than it should.---The BoardOne of the older board members clears his throat carefully.“What are the next public steps?”---Work ReturnsImmediately.PR strategies. Legal containment. Media statements.The company keeps moving because companies always move.Even during disaster.---But My Attention Keeps ReturningTo her.---AnnaShe stays quiet through most of the meeting.Composed externally.But I know her well enough now to notice the signs.The slight tension in her shoulders.The way
The wife they never expected CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN Public Mistake
Anna’s POV---The BoardroomThe atmosphere inside the boardroom feels sharp enough to cut skin.Executives line both sides of the table.Legal teams. PR advisors. Board members.Everyone tense.Everyone waiting.---MadisonAnd at the center of it—Madison sits perfectly composed.Like she didn’t just throw the company into chaos.---My ThoughtsIf I didn’t know her better, I might almost admire the performance.Almost.---Xavier Beside MeHis presence beside me feels steady.Controlled.Dangerously calm.And after everything that happened last night—I know that calm is not peace.It’s restraint.---The Meeting Begins“We need immediate containment,” one board member says nervously.“Investors are already demanding explanations.”---Another Voice“The contract leak damages public credibility.”---Madison Finally SpeaksSmooth voice.Perfectly measured.“Well, unfortunately the truth became public.”---SilenceThe room stills slightly.Because even now—She sounds pleased.---
The wife they never expected CHAPTER FORTY-SIX Damage Control
Anna’s POV---MorningBy morning—The internet is on fire.---The HeadlinesEvery news platform. Every business blog. Every gossip account.All repeating the same story.> CONTRACT MARRIAGE EXPOSEDCEO’S WIFE “HIRED” FOR IMAGE CONTROLROMANCE OR CORPORATE FRAUD?And somehow—Reading it the second time hurts more than the first.---The MansionThe dining room feels unusually tense.Not because of Xavier.Because of me.Because every time my phone vibrates, my chest tightens automatically now.---XavierMeanwhile—Xavier looks terrifyingly calm.Which somehow feels worse.---ObservationHe sits across from me reviewing reports on his tablet while drinking coffee like the company is not actively collapsing online.Controlled. Sharp. Cold.But beneath it—I can feel the anger.---Mrs. Alvarez Notices TooShe places breakfast down carefully before glancing between us.Concerned.Quiet.---My AppetiteGone completely.---Xavier NoticesOf course he does.“You need to eat.”---My Vo
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