Page 48 of Her Possessive Dominant Fake Husband

“Of course,” my mother said, as if she hadn’t just turned my world upside down. “Let us know if you change your mind. The offer doesn’t expire.”

Claire nodded, clearly grateful.

“Did you forget something?” I asked, wondering why she’d shown back up.

She shook her head. “No, I thought I did, but I didn’t.” With one last glanced at me, she turned and left.

And this time, I knew she was gone for good.

My mother watched her go, her expression worried, and then she turned back to me.

“Don’t lose her, Alexander,” she said, a warning filling her voice. “You’ll regret it forever.”

She was right.

But I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.

I already lost her. And it was entirely my fault.

Later that day

I didn’t go to Claire’s family home to argue with her.

I stood on the porch, needing to see her. Needing to understand why my mother’s words were still in my head. Needing to make sure she was okay.

She opened the door, and for a moment, everything I meant to say vanished. Her expression was unreadable, and we stood there, until someone else showed up.

Claire’s sister. She strolled in like she owned the place, like she’d expected to find us there. “I was just about to ask Alexander out to dinner,” she said.

The look in Claire’s eyes surprised me. Maybe she hadn’t given up. Maybe she still held out hope for us.

Jen glanced between us, her smile knowing and annoyingly satisfied. “So, what do you say, Alexander? Care for dinner with some good company for once?”

Claire’s face tensed, every line in her body screaming irritation.

I had no patience for her money-grubbing ways and manipulative behavior. “No,” I said flatly. “I’m here to see Claire.”

Jen pouted, unfazed. “Oh, come on. The two of us could have so much fun.”

I ignored her, turning my attention back to Claire. She looked tired, worn, like the battle had finally started taking its toll. “I meant what I said yesterday,” I said, needing her to hear it, needing her to know this wasn’t over. “It’s yours.” I was referring to the money, but covertly because I knew how Jen was.

Her expression shifted from irritation at Jen to anger at me. But before she could respond, Jen laughed, a sound that grated against every last nerve.

“You two are adorable,” she said, oblivious to the tension between us.

“Jen,” Claire said, but there was a resigned weariness in her voice.

“Alright, alright.” Jen threw her hands up in mock surrender. “I’ll let you two have your little moment.”

Relief flooded me as she walked off, humming to herself. Claire’s shoulders almost seemed to relax. But the interruption had thrown everything off, and I didn’t know how to start again.

“Claire,” I said, uncertain how to do this.

“Why are you here?” she asked, arms crossed, eyes sharp.

The question wasn’t unexpected, but it was still difficult to answer. Because I didn’t know. Not fully. Not anymore.

“Your family,” I said, grasping at the one thing that might convince her, the one thing she couldn’t ignore. “You need this.”

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