Page 114 of Knot Like Other Girls

Braxley waves a hand. "Cole, then. That was... fast."

"Is that what you wanted to talk about?" I keep my voice even, refusing to feel guilty or apologize. "Because if you're looking for some kind of explanation?—"

"I'm not," he interrupts, surprising me again. He sighs, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. It springs right back into place. "I genuinely don't care who you sleep with, Bella. That was never part of our arrangement."

The bluntness of his statement should probably sting, but it only confirms what I've known all along. Our relationship was never about love or attraction. It was a business deal dressed up in romantic trappings.

That's fine. That's what it was on my end, too.

"Then what is this about?" I ask.

He straightens up, his expression shifting into something more calculated. More familiar. "I'd like to request a... small favor."

I raise an eyebrow, immediately suspicious. "A favor."

"Nothing unreasonable," he assures me quickly. "I just need you to keep our... separation quiet. For a little while."

"Why?" The question comes out sharper than I intended.

Braxley stands, moving to the glass wall that overlooks the city. His posture is rigid, hands clasped behind his back in a pose that seems practiced for maximum dramatic effect.

"My parents don't know about my... preferences," he says, his voice quieter now. "They're expecting a big society wedding in the spring. The perfect alpha-omega match to cement the Worthington legacy."

"And you want me to keep pretending we're engaged?" I can't hide the incredulity in my voice. "Because we're not. I didn't even say yes."

He turns, his expression surprisingly vulnerable. "No. Just... don't announce anything publicly yet. Give me time to managemy family's expectations." His mouth twists into something that might be genuine regret. "And some of our business connections."

I cross my arms, studying him. "Business connections?"

Braxley at least has the grace to look uncomfortable. "The stock in my father's company took a ten-point jump when our engagement was announced. Their new luxury omega line had record pre-orders because of your involvement."

Of course. It always comes back to money with the Worthingtons.

"So this is about protecting your family's business interests," I say flatly.

"And yours," he adds quickly. "Your parents' financial situation isn't exactly stable, remember? The monthly stipend they've been receiving from my family trust?—"

"Will stop the moment we announce our breakup," I finish for him, the realization settling like a cold stone in my stomach.

My mother's new car. My father's sudden ability to take research sabbaticals. The mysterious "investment opportunity" that pulled them out of debt just as my engagement to Braxley became official. None of it was coincidence.

They sold me. And now the bill is coming due.

"How long?" I ask, my voice tight.

Braxley shrugs. "A month. Maybe two. Just long enough for me to manage the fallout and set up alternative arrangements. The big charity gala is coming up, too."

I'm tempted to refuse him outright. Tempted to march out of this ridiculous sham of a glass box and announce to his millions of followers that the engagement is off. That it was never real to begin with. That Braxley Worthington III, alpha influencer extraordinaire, is an asshole.

But that wouldn't just hurt Braxley. It would devastate my family. No matter how angry I am about their manipulation, I can't bring myself to destroy them.

And knowing his fans, finding out he's an asshole would probably win him extra attention, anyway.

"Two weeks," I counter. "That's all you get."

He breathes out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you, Bella. I?—"

"I'm not doing this for you," I cut him off. "I'm doing it for my family. And to be clear, I won't be staying here. I'm going to stay with the Vanguard Pack for the full two weeks."

---