The Billionaire Marriage of Convenience

Grayson's penthouse, and went about her routine without any real purpose. Grayson had been true to his word, offering her a life of comfort without interfere

them. Jade had expected a sense of warmth-of partnership, maybe-but all she got was silence

ated by the cold, pristine walls of Grayson's world. She had no real plans, but a walk outside seemed like a small rebellion. A chanc

ound herself with little to do but wander the halls and stare out the windows. Rosa, the house

he movement, the colors of the people rushing by-it all reminded her of the life she had once known.

ries. She tried to lose herself in the city's pulse, but the weight of her situation never full

ts were still scattered, but something inside her had shifted. She couldn't keep living in thi

d through the door. Rosa was tidying up the l

" Rosa greeted her with a smil

n't reach her eyes. "It was nice to get

n Jade's words. "It's important to take time for you

t her life. Did she see through the facade, or was she just

" Rosa said, giving Jade space.

grand dining room, a table set for two yet feeling like a hundred. She couldn't ignore the unease gnawing at her. S

ce signing the contract, respecting his desire for privacy. But there were things she needed to know. He had chosen her for a reason, and she couldn't

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of the apartment for most of the day. Jade had eaten alone, as usual. Rosa had come in a few times

tired but still as guarded as ever. Jade had always thought she could read people, but Grayson was different. There wa

ed, his voice almost casual, though th

some hint of sincerity. "It was

a moment longer than necessary. "I underst

right now. The silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfort

d toward the bar to pour himself a drin

rling around the edge of he

a sip of his drink, his eyes still on her, assessing her as

suddenly, her voice steady despite

his eyes narrowing just sl

ayson? Out of all the women you could've

ade wondered if she had pushed him too far. But then, he set his glass

said quietly. "Someone who needed an e

the only one with a past, Grayson. I didn

e. I chose you because I know what it feels like to lose everything. And maybe, i

o the icy exterior he presented to the world. She had never seen this side of

tering his world, Jade saw

voice barely above a whisper. "What happened t

ut there was no anger in his eyes

it," he said simpl

nality in them. But she wasn't about to l

ne softening. "But I need to understand. I need to know

y lights below. The silence between them was long and hea

eone I loved more than anything. And I've never been able to let go. That's why I can't have this... thi

n. For the first time, she saw Grayson not as the cold, distant man

d him, just as her

oward him. "You don't have to

ling to accept her words, but in that moment, Jade made a decision. She wasn't going to let them both dr

ecome more than just a deal. Maybe they cou