The Billionaire Marriage of Convenience

e couch, a book in her lap, though she wasn't reading. Her gaze drifted toward the rain-soaked skyline, her mind consumed with thoughts she couldn't shake

Setting the book aside, she rose and opened the door to find Linda, Grayson's personal assistant, standing there.

thick envelope. "These are for you. Mr.

Before she could ask more, Linda gave a pol

t handwriting. She tore it open and pulled out a stack of papers. Her eyes skimmed the pages, her heart sinkin

sage was brief, written in Grayson's neat, deliberate script: *"This is to

ote, but it was yet another reminder of the transactional nature of their relationship. Even aft

erything with him have to be so clinical, so calculated? Did he truly see her as nothing more

the penthouse, his dark suit slightly damp from the rain. He paused when he saw h

" he said, his

she intended. "What is this, Grayson? Another

ked to the bar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey before turning

It feels like a wall. Every time I think we're making

s eyes unreadable. "Because I don't

of his limitations. "You can't keep living like this, Grayson," she said, her voice softer n

gest I do, Jade? Open myself up? Let someone

everyone is going to hurt you. Not everyone is out to betray you or

air thick with unspoken words. Jade could see the conflict in his eyes, the battle be

inally. "If you want this to work-if you wan

g through the room. "This was never supposed to be about 'us,' Jade," he sa

rt. "Then why are you so afraid?" she challenged, her voice trembling with emotion. "If

rom years of pain, of holding everything in until it became too much to bear. He took a step toward he

o reach out to him, to tell him that he didn't have to carry that burden

she said quietly. "But you wil

hout another word, he turned and walked away, disappearing into his stud

the weight of their implications pressing down on her. She didn't want their relationship to be defined by legalitie

his expression weary but composed. He walked over to the couch and

ords surprising her. "I sho

any sign of sincerity. She found it in the way his

voice barely above a whisper. "I've spent so long buildi

"You don't have to do it all at once," she sa

, she saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. It wasn't m