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CHAPTER FORTY: Control
publish date:
2026-05-08 00:34:24
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The wife they never expected CHAPTER FORTY-ONE The Invitation
Anna’s POVThe MorningSomething feels different the next morning.Not lighter.Not easier.Just—Decided.The MansionThe house is unusually quiet when I walk downstairs.Soft sunlight spills across the marble floors while the scent of coffee drifts faintly from the kitchen.Normal.Everything looks normal.And yet my chest feels tight with expectation anyway.My ThoughtsLast night changed something.Not between us.Inside him.I saw it.The moment Xavier stopped fighting himself.DangerousAnd somehow—That feels far more dangerous than the tension ever did.Mrs. Alvarez“You’re smiling.”I blink immediately.“What?”Mrs. Alvarez hides amusement poorly while placing fruit onto a tray.“You’ve been staring at the same coffee cup for two minutes.”EmbarrassmentHeat rises instantly to my face.Apparently I’m becoming obvious now.Wonderful.My Excuse“I’m tired.”Her Expression“Mhm.”She clearly does not believe me.At all.WorseUnfortunately—I probably wouldn’t believe me either.
The wife they never expected CHAPTER FORTY: Control
Xavier’s POVControlControl has always been simple for me.Emotions are variables.Variables create instability.Instability creates weakness.So I learned early: Remove emotion. Maintain structure. Stay focused.Efficient.Reliable.Safe.Anna Changed ThatThat is the problem.My OfficeI stare at the city skyline through the glass walls of my office long after Anna leaves.The conversation still replaying in my mind.> “Like this was becoming real.”It is real.That’s precisely why I created distance.The TruthBecause if I continue reacting instinctively around her—I will cross lines I cannot uncross.And for the first time in years—That possibility does not feel strategic.It feels personal.DangerousVery dangerous.My ThoughtsAnna believes I pulled away because I regret what’s happening between us.The reality is significantly worse.I pulled away because I don’t regret it enough.RealisationI enjoy her presence too much now.I notice her absence immediately.I look for her
The wife they never expected CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE Distance
Anna’s POVThe First DayAt first—I think I’m imagining it.Because Xavier is still polite.Still attentive.Still controlled.Nothing obvious changes.And somehow—That makes it worse.The DifferenceBefore the investor dinner, tension between us felt unavoidable.Now—It feels restrained.Deliberately.The OfficeThe executive floor moves normally around us.Meetings continue.Calls continue.Schedules continue.And Xavier?Xavier becomes impossible to read again.---My ThoughtsThree nights ago, he looked at me like I was becoming something personal to him.Now—He barely lets conversations linger.The ShiftNo more standing too close.No more lingering touches against my back.No more quiet moments that feel dangerously intimate.Everything returns to: ✔ professional ✔ composed ✔ controlledAnd I hate how much I notice.WorseI hate how much it affects me.Clara Notices“You’re glaring at the coffee machine.”I blink immediately.“What?”Clara folds her arms calmly beside my des
The wife they never expected CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT After the Admission
Xavier’s POVThe ProblemI should not have answered that question.More specifically—I should not have answered it that quickly.The CarThe drive back to the mansion is unusually quiet.Not uncomfortable.Not distant.Worse.Aware.AnnaShe sits beside me in silence, watching the city lights blur through the rain-covered windows.But every few seconds—I feel her thinking about it.About the investor’s question.About my answer.About me.The WordVery.One word.Careless.Instinctive.Dangerous.RealisationBecause I didn’t say it like a businessman protecting optics.I said it like a man making a claim.ProblematicAnd the worst part?I meant it.Internal ShiftThat thought settles heavily in my chest.Unwelcome.Unavoidable.Anna’s Voice“You embarrassed that investor.”Soft.Careful.But underneath—Amusement.My Response“He was asking unnecessary questions.”Her Observation“He was flirting with me.”Direct.Always direct now.Interesting.My SilenceI don’t answer immediately
The wife they never expected CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN Dangerous Appearances
Anna’s POVThe DressI should have known tonight would be dangerous the moment Xavier went silent when he saw me.Not cold.Not distracted.Silent.The DifferenceXavier Cortez is rarely speechless.That’s how I know the effect is real.The MansionMrs. Alvarez smooths the fabric at my waist one final time before stepping back with obvious satisfaction.“You look beautiful, Mrs. Cortez.”The title still catches me off guard sometimes.But tonight—Something about it feels heavier.More real.The MirrorThe emerald dress fits perfectly.Elegant.Structured.Not overly revealing.But enough to make me suddenly understand why Xavier stopped talking for three full seconds downstairs.Dangerous ThoughtThat may be the longest silence I’ve ever gotten from him voluntarily.DownstairsWhen I finally walk into the living room—Xavier looks up from his phone immediately.And then—He freezes again.My PulseHeat rushes into my face almost instantly.Because the way he’s looking at me does not
The wife they never expected CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Close Enough
Anna’s POV---The ProblemAfter Xavier’s comment in the hallway—I cannot think properly.“You’re becoming dangerous for my concentration.”The sentence has replayed in my head the entire morning.Quietly.Repeatedly.Dangerously.---The OfficeThe executive floor feels strangely normal today.Phones ringing.Meetings moving.Assistants rushing between offices.Everything functioning exactly as it should.And yet—Nothing feels normal to me anymore.The DifferenceBecause now every interaction with Xavier feels charged.Every glance too aware.Every silence too intimate.My DeskI try focusing on work.Investor schedules.Travel confirmations.Board summaries.But concentration keeps slipping.Because every few minutes—I become aware of him again.XavierHe’s inside his office reviewing contracts.Focused.Sharp.Composed.As if he didn’t completely destabilise me yesterday.WorseAs if he isn’t affected too.Which is ridiculous.Because I know he is.I’ve seen it now.The pauses.
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