Page 83 of Wed to You

Chapter Fifteen

Chelsea pokedher head into Jagger’s office after her and Kaden’s swim. She’d expected Jagger to join them, but once Kaden’s fingers started pruning, she decided something must have come up at the farm. She sent Kaden upstairs to change while she checked on Jagger. “Kaden’s getting dressed. I’m about to head up to change too.” She glanced out the door to make sure no one was watching, then she opened her robe. “You said you wanted to see me in a bathing suit.”

Jagger’s face remained impassive. In fact, although he’d looked at her, she got the feeling he didn’t see her.

“What’s wrong?” She closed her robe as she walked farther into the office.

He held up an envelope. Chelsea couldn’t read the return address, but, with Jagger’s pained expression, it didn’t take a brain surgeon to know what it was.

“Jagger, I’m sorry.” She reached out to touch him, but he withdrew.

“She won’t win. I won’t let her.”

The menacing promise in his voice sent a shiver through Chelsea. How far would he go to make sure Tanya lost?

“Have you called your lawyer?”

“She’ll be here in forty-five minutes or so.”

“I’ll go change.”

Jagger finally made eye contact with her. “What for?”

Chelsea frowned. “To be presentable when she arrives. Is she local?”

“You’re not a part of this.”

His words felt like a slap, but Chelsea reminded herself he was in pain. “We’re married.”

“I’m in charge of Kaden. Our being married doesn’t change that.”

Chelsea worked to tamp down her annoyance. “Then why am I here? This marriage is all about keeping Kaden.”

Jagger sprang from his desk, rushing toward the office door. He glanced outside the office before shutting the door. “Keep your voice down.”

“Why? You said we needed to act like this was a real marriage. In a real marriage, we’d fight this together. If we’re not doing that, then why pretend anymore?”

He scowled. “We need to pretend so everyone believes we’re a happy family. But we’re not a team. Kaden is my responsibility alone. I’ll be making all the decisions about him.”

While she cringed at the idea of being a subservient 1950s wife, this marriage was a business deal, so she needed to abide by his rules. “Fine.”

She turned to leave, but his hand grabbed her arm.

“I paid a fortune for you to act as a loving wife.”

The mention of money shocked her. Made her feel dirty. But she smiled sweetly, hoping she wouldn’t lose her lunch. “Why, of course, dear. My little ol’ self couldn’t possibly offer any help. I’ll just run off and care for the chitlin.” She glowered at him, yanked her arm free, and fled the room. Once in the foyer, she wasn’t sure where to go. All of a sudden, the house felt like a prison. She considered leaving, but Kaden appeared at the top of the stairs.

“I’m hungry.”

“Wanna make cookies?” There was nothing like baking to take her mind off her troubles.

“Yay! Will Miss Z let you use the kitchen?”

The comment reminded Chelsea that she was a guest in the house. None of Jagger’s staff had warmed to her. Now Jagger was cold too, and the only friend she had was Kaden. But she’d agreed to this arrangement and so she needed to stick it out.

“We’ll find out.”

“What if she says no?”

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