Page 217 of Modern Romance January 2025 1-4

He idly watched her scribble in the spiral bound notebook that had been new at the beginning of this trip. It was fat now—filled with ideas, pictures, postcards. She was industrious and if that small smile on her face was to be believed, happy. So, he realised with a warmth unlike any other, was he. They were both quiet—no drama between them, no playful banter even. Justpeace. She sketched and he watched, oddly content when he was effectively being the laziest he’d ever been in his life—letting his mind rest.

But his mind never really rested. Being back in London meant work would ramp up. And other responsibilities were pressing.

‘It’s the annual Fernandez Family Foundation gala tomorrow night.’ He finally admitted the event that was forcing their return. ‘It’s a good opportunity to introduce you to the rest of them.’

She stopped sketching. ‘Surely I’m not sticking around long enough to need introductions to everyone.’

He tensed. Not around long enough? What did she mean by that?

She avoided meeting his gaze. ‘I don’t think it’s appropriate.’

Well, that was ridiculous. ‘You’re not that much of a provocateur, Elodie,’ he said dryly. ‘So you’ve been to a few nightclubs? You’ve not got any kind of criminal record. How awful for a young person to have had some fun in her life. If they’re going to judge you for that then they need to take a long look in the mirror.’

‘I thought I was a gold-digger. Only with you for money. I don’t have a heart.’

‘That’s why you offered yourself as a replacement bride for your younger sister,’ he drawled. ‘The one with a missing heart is me.’

‘But if you have no heart, why did you accept my offer?’

‘Because I’m greedy.’

‘You’repaying. You’re the one losing.’

‘It’s not money I’m greedy for.’

She sat back. ‘You could get sex anytime you want.’

Yeah, but it wasn’t sex he was talking about. Not entirely. Not anymore. And even if it was, he didn’t want that with anyone else either. He wasn’t going without her and he suddenly didn’t know what to say. Becausenoneof this he was willing to admit whenshewas only usinghimfor hot sex. Right?

‘I thought I was supposed to be their worst nightmare,’ she added in his silence.

Defensiveness—protectiveness of her—rose in an unstoppable wave.

‘Because you’re not afraid to call out bullshit when you see it,’ he snapped. ‘Not because you might have partied hard when you finally got your personal freedom. I would’ve done the same if I’d been stifled by my family my whole life.’ He shook his head at the stupidity of her concerns. ‘No one’s expecting a nun.’ He growled. ‘And I’m sorry if this comes as a shock but I wasn’t a virgin on our wedding night either.’

Her eyes widened and she lost colour.

He gritted his teeth. She’d said she’d cheated on her first husband, and he knew too well the damage infidelity inflicted. Cheaters were selfish. But what he couldn’t wrangle his head around was thatElodiedidn’t seem that all selfish now. Seeing Ashleigh so quiet and compliant was sobering because the thought of his fiery Elodie ever being like that appalled him. And while he couldn’t stand to imagine the details, had never thought he could ever understand someone cheating, he had to acknowledge that she’d been young. Maybe she’d felt trapped. Maybe he couldn’t judge what he didn’t know, but his stomach ached and he sucked in a breath and shoved those thoughts away.

‘We’remarried,’ he said, trying to haul himself back together. ‘It’s made it to the society pages. Which means it’s a little late to keep it a secret.’

‘And too soon to reveal the truth?’ she asked.

That wave of protectiveness morphed into panic. Did she mean end their marriage? Absolutely too soon. He hadn’t done a thing about resolving the future of that island. He’d had no problem organising the contracts for the wedding, for purchasing the escape room, but as yet he’d done nothing about amending that damned trust. He couldn’t yet—he justified—Cristina might think his marriage a fraud if he made changes now and he really didn’t want to meet with her and Jose Ramon to find another way through. It would be much better to maintain the marriage for the full six months he’d rashly suggested and consolidate his occupancy rights that way.

‘Sometimes the truth makes things worse,’ he said, avoiding answering Elodie directly.

‘So what’s your solution?’ she asked. ‘If the truth is too painful, the secrets too devastating, how do you work around that? Do you live with lies?’

Funny that she asked that when she was the self-confessed liar. But he knew the answer. ‘You don’t let anyone close enough to hurt you that badly again.’

He saw her immediate withdrawal and tensed.

‘Isn’t that what you do now?’ He defied her wistful expression. ‘With your friends and your vows to be free forever? That’s a pact to protect yourselves. Staying single keeps things simple.’

‘Then why do you want me to show up to this gala as yourwife?’

Because he wanted her with him! Because he didn’t want to face them alone! But realising both those facts made him bristle with rejection. He grasped for another reason. ‘It’s the trust.’

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