Alle Kapitel von The wife they never expected : Kapitel 31 – Kapitel 40

Anna’s POV---The NightThe office is almost empty by the time the clock passes ten.Most of the executive floor is dark now.Quiet.Still.Only a few lights remain on across the building.Including ours.---The PressureThe last two weeks have blurred together.Investor calls.Board meetings.Delays.Countermoves.Pressure layered carefully beneath every decision.And somehow—Through all of it—Xavier never lost control.---ObservationI glance toward his office through the glass walls.He’s still working.Jacket removed.Sleeves rolled slightly upward.Focused on the documents spread across his desk.Composed.Always composed.---The DifferenceBut lately—I’ve started noticing the smaller things.The way he rubs the bridge of his nose when exhausted.The way his jaw tightens when irritated.The way his voice softens slightly when he speaks to me.And somehow—That feels more dangerous than the pressure outside this building.---InsideI step into his office quietly.“You’re s

Anna’s POVThe ProblemThe problem with kissing Xavier Cortez is that afterward—Everything changes.Not loudly.Not obviously.But enough.Enough that now I notice everything.The OfficeThe executive floor feels exactly the same this morning.Quiet.Polished.Controlled.But I don’t feel the same walking through it.Because now—Every step toward Xavier’s office comes with awareness.My ThoughtsI kissed him.No—He kissed me.And somehow that distinction matters.WorseWhat’s worse is that I kissed him back.InsideI walk into his office carefully.Professional.Composed.Prepared.Or at least pretending to be.XavierHe’s already there.Of course he is.Dark suit.Sharp posture.Focused expression.And immediately—My heart betrays me.RealisationThis is ridiculous.He’s standing exactly the way he always stands.So why does everything suddenly feel different?His Voice“Good morning, Anna.”Calm.Even.Perfectly controlled.My Response“Morning.”Too quick.Again.SilenceThe ro

Anna’s POV---SilenceThe office feels colder after the call.Not physically.Emotionally.---XavierXavier lowers the phone slowly.Too slowly.His expression unreadable.Controlled.But something about the silence feels dangerous now.---My Voice“What was that?”---His Response“Nothing you need to worry about.”Immediate.Too immediate.---TruthLie.Not complete.Not convincing.---ObservationI’ve learned Xavier carefully over the last few months.The difference between calm and controlled anger.The difference between composure and restraint.Right now—He looks restrained.---The ShiftHe walks back toward the desk, setting the phone down carefully.Too carefully.Like if he moves too fast, something sharper might surface.---My PulseThe tension in the room changes completely.The earlier awkwardness disappears beneath something heavier.More serious.---My Question“Who was it?”---His Answer“I don’t know yet.”That part, at least, sounds honest.---The Differenc

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

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