Page 16 of His Infatuated Wife

It's my first time to be summoned, and I'm half-terrified, half-hopeful. I have no idea why Jacques suddenly wants me to show up in his office, to the point that he's had Dean Garrison himself excusing me from class.

"Whatever this is about," Dean Garrison had assured me, "I'm sure it's for the better. So don't worry. Jacques always has a reason for everything he does."

And that's what I'm afraid of, actually.

Jacques Carpentier is nothing but reasonable.

And there's every chance that he's come up with a really good reason to get rid of me for good.

The worrying thought is still uppermost in my mind when I finally make it to his penthouse office, and Jacques' secretary welcomes me with a pleasant smile.

About a dozen or so individuals are working on the same floor, and I can feel their gazes following

my every move as Jacques' secretary takes me to the corner suite at the end of the hallway. They obviously don't know what to make of me, and I'm in the same boat, unfortunately.

Why am I here?

The answer to this remains frustratingly elusive even when I'm finally inside his suite, and his secretary has already stepped out and excused herself.

It's just the two of us now, and all I can do is stare at him.

He's gorgeous as ever, but I'm more worried than ever as well.

"Please take a seat."

He finally breaks the silence between us, but the cold formality of his voice only makes me feel more nervous.

"Can you just tell me what this is all about?" I blurt out.

A part of me expects him to snap at me, but I see his lips tighten instead.

"Very well."

It's just two words, but I'm suddenly reminded of the old adage about being careful of what one wishes for...since it might just come true.

Oh no.

I'm about to take the words back and tell him I need a minute.

"I find myself in need of a wife."

But it's already too late.

And now it's happening all over again.

How many times must this man break my heart for me to learn my lesson?

"Congratulations," I force myself to say.

"You don't even know who I'm marrying."

All I can do is stare at him. Is he just dense or is this his way of torturing me?

"It doesn't matter---"

"Even if it's you I want to marry?"

Okay, that's enough.

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