Chapter 13 Elodie #2
What was that thing he said about power?
It allows you to do whatever dark, twisted, fucked-up thing you desire, no matter the cost.
In his world, this is just another ploy.
I let out a short, disbelieving breath. “I’m a little…”
“Surprised? Yeah. I can see that.”
I search his face for any crack in that impossible composure. “Why… me, Dorian?” He must have one hell of a reason. And I already know it’s not love. Dorian Vale didn’t suddenly catch feelings for me from one very expensive kiss.
“Because I need a wife. And I’d rather marry someone I know.”
My pulse kicks harder. “Wait, you need a wife?”
He actually looks uneasy. It’s a new look for him. “Yes, need.”
“That sounds like there’s more to this offer than what you’re saying.”
“Because there is.” He pauses for a moment and breathes out a sigh. “My father is demanding that I get married because of a recent scandal.”
He gives me a look, as if he’s trying to figure out what I might know about this scandal.
He won’t find anything. I was too busy worrying about my life to follow whatever scandal he’s talking about.
“What was the scandal?” I may not have been aware, but I for darn certain want to know what scandal happened to push him to marriage.
“How about we save that for another time.” He cocks his head.
“The real problem is, it damaged my reputation, which makes Vale Global look bad, too. My father thinks marriage will fix it. I don’t really care about my reputation.
I care about my legacy in the company. My father is threatening to give the COO position to someone else if I don’t get married. ”
“Are you sure he was serious?” That didn’t sound like his father at all. Then again, what do I know? It’s been years since I saw his parents.
“He is dead serious, so I need a wife. And I need to find one in the next two weeks.”
I just realized this little discussion is the most Dorian has ever told me about himself. The fact that he even went into details about his problem—with me—speaks masses.
“So, you thought of me?”
Dorian shrugs. “It’s an offer. If it interests you, you’re welcome to ask for more details. If you want to pass on it, no problem.”
Business. All business. How sad that something as special as marriage is just another business transaction to him.
Whereas for people like me… it still means something. I’m the girl who loved the romance stories in books like Pride and Prejudice, Romeo and Juliet, and Wuthering Heights so much she became a teacher. I was so in love with love I wanted to have a reason to immerse myself in all the books.
But maybe I’m looking at this all wrong.
Perhaps marriage can easily be just another business to Dorian because he lost the one woman he actually fell for.
Catherine. He’d loved her.
If he hadn’t, finding her cheating with my brother wouldn’t have created such a storm.
Now we’re here. Or rather I am. I am here, and he is offering marriage as a way to repay him. I’d be a damn fool if I didn’t admit that being free of that debt would change my life.
A hundred and twenty thousand dollars is a lot of money. The candid look in Dorian’s eyes tells me he knows exactly what being debt free would mean to me, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
The point is, he knows I am desperate. I know it, too.
“Maybe I am interested. Tell me more, so I can think about it.” I don’t know another way to say it to make myself sound less desperate.
That inkling of a smile threatens to crack his cool composure. “If you accept that offer, the debt disappears, you’ll have a better home to go to,”—he motions around the room—“you’ll own everything I have in equal parts, and you’ll want for nothing ever again.”
God. I’m so stunned all I can do is look at him. He’s not just offering me a solution—this is an offer of a new life.
Dorian is a billionaire who comes from a family with a multi-billion-dollar business. And he just said I’d own everything he does in equal parts. Holy shit.
If I became his wife, all my financial problems would disappear.
I’d never have to worry again.
I could do whatever I wanted, buy whatever I wanted.
But…
It would be a business marriage. What would that really involve?
Oftentimes when something sounds too good to be true, it is.
“What about our lives?”
“We’d be married in name only. It would be an arrangement. Nothing more. We can live separate lives.”
There it is—the catch.
My stomach swoops then curls into a knot.
“We just need to look good for the public. And the company,” he continues in an even tone.
So, he’d be my husband, but he wouldn’t be offering love.
Is it stupid that I am hesitant?
Me, who could be dead in an alley somewhere instead of sitting in the safety of this kitchen.
“I would also need an heir,” he adds in the same nonchalant tone, as though he’s placing an order at the coffeehouse.
My stomach flips. “What? Like… a baby?”
“Yes. As soon as possible.”
How in the hell can he be so calm?
This feels unreal. Like I just… stepped into someone else’s life.
“A baby?” I can hardly get the words out.
“We can do IVF.” He looks at me as if the solution is really that simple.
“But a baby?” I’m stuck on that.
“That’s the offer.”
“But you’re talking about kids.”
“Yes, Elodie, I am talking about kids.” He gives me a sarcastic grin, the kind meant to make you feel like you’re slow to understand.
“Would you treat the kids like they were part of the contract, too?” How horrible. I don’t know if I could purposely bring children into this world knowing they’d only be a contract to their father.
I’m almost relieved when Dorian shakes his head. “I’ll always be there for my children. I’ll be a father to them and love them.”
I look at him carefully. What he’s saying is endearing and reassuring, but I can’t help but focus on the parts he’s not voicing aloud.
“You’ll love them,” I pause. “You just won’t love me.”
“No.” He didn’t even hesitate.
I’ve never heard anyone sound more certain. And cold.
My mind spins, and I don’t know where to put my face.
“Think about it and get back to me.” He sighs. “But I need an answer by the end of the week. No later than that. And if you accept, you may want to speak to Jack because I won’t.”
Jack.
He’d lose his shit if he knew where I was. I don’t even want to think about what he’d do if I brought this offer to him.
He blames Dorian for everything that went wrong in our lives.
But that is Jack’s philosophy. And he isn’t here.
This is my life. The only person I could trust to save me when I got in trouble was myself. I was the one who made the decision to turn to Dorian for help. Not Jack.
I just don’t know what I’ll choose now.