Page 57 of The Billionaire's Marriage Dare

“It’s the opposite.” Jared switched the Smart TV to browser mode and typed in a YouTube link. “She saved your ass, Christian.”

Christian turned to the screen, and he recognized the location immediately. It was the conference room below, and...Jane was holding a press conference.

He watched her take the stage like a pro, introducing herself as both his fiancée and P.R. head. He watched her field questions effortlessly, the perfect combination of assurance and humility. He watched her singlehandedly prevent a public relations catastrophe as she acknowledged the company’s responsibility, accepted their share of blame, but at the same time assuaged everyone’s concerns and convinced everyone that Christian Ravenhearst would not fail them.

It was her exact words.

“Christian’s work means everything to him. He’s the most dedicated person I’ve ever known, and his integrity is impregnable. He’ll find a way to make things right, I promise you. Christian Ravenhearst will not fail you.”

Ah God.

And she had been right.

He had not failed them.

He had failed her.

Chapter Thirteen

Christian was knocking on her door.

Don’t answer. Pretend you’re out. Or tell him to go away, and you don't want to see him again.

But of course she ended up doing none of those things.

She loved him after all, and just because he had repeatedly said and done things to convince her that they were wrong for each other – love wasn’t something one could kill overnight.

Jane opened the door, and even though she had done her best to prepare herself—-

It just wasn’t enough. Maybe nothing could ever be enough.

Christian Ravenhearst still took her breath away.

“May I come in?”

She nodded jerkily and turned away without a word, leaving him to follow her inside her apartment. His words reminded her of the time she had practically ambushed him in his apartment.

May I come in?

She had used the exact same words. He had let her in, and after, they had made love for the first time—-

Oh God.

That seemed like an eternity ago.

Christian closed the door behind him, using the time to compose himself.

Jane.

A part of him had thought she would just leave him knocking forever on her door, and if she had done that, he wouldn’t have blamed her. He deserved it – and more.

Earlier, on his way out of the office, the receptionist had hurried after Christian, saying Ms. Cooper had left something for him.

And because he was a fucking arrogant fool, Christian had thought the words gave him a reason to hope. Instead, they had severed the last connection between them, and the result was Jane’s engagement ring inside his pocket, a burning and taunting reminder of how much he had hurt her—-

And how it might already be too late for both of them.

After inhaling one last time, he followed her into the living room and saw Jane already seated on the couch, her back ramrod straight and her hands clasped together on her lap.

---