♣ CHAPTER 24 ♠
Kate sat alone in the garden, her fingers wrapped around a warm mug of tea. Her mind was not on the drink. It was on William. It was on His kiss,His silence and His distance.
Her phone buzzed.
It was an Unknown Number.
She hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"
A deep voice responded. "Mrs. Dray?"
"Yes. Who's this?"
"I'm Mr. Donovan Grant. I believe we have something to talk about. Something… important."
She frowned. "What kind of something?"
"A business opportunity. One that might help you… escape."
Her eyes narrowed. "Escape what?"
"Your marriage."
She stood up slowly. "What are you talking about?"
"I'll meet you at the Midtown Café. In Twenty minutes. Come alone."
The line went dead.
Kate stared at her phone for a while, unsure if she should go. But curiosity and anger pushed her forward.
---
Twenty minutes later, Kate stepped into the café. A man in a grey suit with slicked-back hair sat in the corner, sipping coffee like he owned the place.
He looked up and smiled.
"You came," he said.
Kate didn't sit. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
"I already told you. Donovan Grant. I'm Businessman, I'm also an Investor and Competitor."
She folded her arms. "And what does that have to do with me?"
He leaned forward. "Everything. You're married to William Dray. Which means… you're close."
Her eyes darkened. "Get to the point."
"I want information. A Simple,Discreet one. I want Inside updates about William's deals. His plans,His moves. It's Nothing too serious."
Kate's jaw clenched. "You want me to spy on my husband?"
Donovan gave a lazy smile. "He's not really your husband, is he? I know it's Just a contract. It's One year dear, And then… nothing."
Kate's voice was sharp. "How do you know about the contract?"
"I have my ways."
She shook her head. "This is insane."
"No, this is smart," he said. "You're stuck in a cold marriage. You get nothing in the end. But I'm offering you a way out. I'm offering you Money, Protection and Freedom."
"I don't need your money."
He leaned closer. "What about your family's company? It's struggling. I could help. I could save it. All I need… is your help."
Kate stared at him. "Why are you really doing this?"
Donovan's voice dropped. "Because William Dray humiliated me once. He Took a deal from right under me, And now, I'm going to take something from him."
"You want to hurt him," she said.
"I want balance. I want us to be even."
Kate's tone turned ice cold. "Then fight him like a man. Don't use me."
He chuckled. "You're bold. I like that."
"I'm not yours to like."
He stood. "Think about it. I'll give you three days. After that, the offer disappears."
Kate didn't flinch. "It already disappeared."
He smirked. "William doesn't deserve a woman like you. He'll never love you."
Kate stepped forward, her voice fierce. "Maybe not, But I'd rather be unloved than be your puppet."
He leaned close one last time. "You'll regret this."
She met his gaze. "No. You will."
---
Kate stood up and left the café with her fists clenched. Her heels hit the pavement hard. She was breathing fast, not from fear, but rage. She pulled out her phone and dialed Tina's number.
Tina picked up on the second ring. "Kate? You sound—what's wrong?"
"I just met with a man named Donovan Grant."
There was silence on the other end. "Wait. Donovan Grant?"
"Yes. He called me from a private number and Asked me to meet him."
"What did he want?"
Kate's voice was low. "He asked me to betray William. He Said he'd help me out of the marriage. He wants insider info."
"Are you kidding me?" Tina snapped. "That man's a snake. Everyone knows it. Why would he come to you?"
"Because he knows about the contract."
Tina's tone dropped. "How?"
Kate sighed. "I don't know, Tina, But he said I had three days to decide. I already told him no."
"Good. Don't even think about it."
"I wasn't going to," Kate said. "But it's not just that. He mentioned my family's company. He Said he could help."
Tina hissed. "He's trying to use your weakness."
"I know. I know that. I just… I didn't expect someone to come to me directly like that."
Tina's voice softened. "You okay?"
"No," Kate whispered. "But I will be."
---
Kate got home before William. She sat in the living room, waiting for him. Her fingers tapped on her phone.
An hour passed before the door opened. William walked in, looking distracted, his tie loose around his neck.
He stopped when he saw her.
"You're home early," he said.
"I need to talk to you."
William raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
"Yes. Now."
He dropped his briefcase and took off his jacket. "What happened?"
Kate stood. "I was approached by Donovan Grant."
His body stiffened. "Where?"
"At a café downtown. He called me and Said he had a business offer."
"What kind of offer?"
Her eyes narrowed. "He wants me to betray you and he Said he knows about our contract. He Said he could give me freedom and money in exchange for information."
William's jaw tightened. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him to go to hell."
He looked at her for a long moment, then nodded once. "Good."
Kate crossed her arms. "You don't seem surprised."
"I'm not," he muttered. "Grant's been trying to get into my world for years. But he's dirty. Everyone knows it. The man doesn't fight fair."
"And now he wants to fight through me," Kate said sharply.
William met her eyes. "I won't let that happen."
"You shouldn't have to let anything happen, William. You should've protected me from this."
His expression changed. "Don't twist this. I didn't put you in that chair with him. You're in this because of your family's name and Because of our marriage."
She stepped closer. "Exactly. This marriage. That's the part I didn't choose, remember?"
William's face darkened. "Neither did I."
Kate turned away, her voice softer. "He said you'd never love me. That I was wasting my time."
William didn't respond.
She spun back to him. "Is he right?"
His lips pressed into a thin line.
"Say something, William."
He exhaled. "What do you want me to say, Kate? That I've fallen for my contract wife? That I think about you more than I should? That it bothers me when someone else talks to you?"
She blinked. "So it does bother you?"
"Yes," he said. "It does. But that doesn't change anything."
Kate stared at him, her chest rising and falling. "Why not?"
"Because this wasn't supposed to be real."
Her voice cracked. "But it is real. At least to me."
William looked away. "I didn't ask for this."
"No," she said. "You just kissed me and ran away."
He flinched. "That kiss… was a mistake."
Her eyes glistened. "No, it wasn't. You felt something. And now you're scared."
"I'm not scared," he snapped. "I'm being careful."
"Of what? Me?"
"Of everything!" William exploded. "Of what this marriage has become. Of what people like Donovan might do. Of what I might do if I stop thinking with my head!"
Kate's voice shook. "You think I'm a risk."
"I think you're dangerous," he said, softer this time. "Because I can't ignore you anymore."
She stepped back, the pain shot deep in her chest. "Then stop ignoring me."
William stepped closer. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"Then stop pushing me away."
They stood inches apart.
"I told Grant no," she whispered. "Because even if we started wrong… I still believe there's something good between us."
William looked down at her. "Kate…"
She raised her chin. "If you think I'm dangerous, good. Because I won't stand here and let anyone use me. Not Grant. Not even you."
He touched her arm, gently. "I'm not using you."
"Then prove it," she said. "Let me stand beside you, not behind you."
He stared at her, his eyes unreadable. Then he nodded, just once.
"Fine. No more pushing away."
Kate exhaled.
William stepped back. "But that also means you have to listen. If I say something is dangerous, you stay out of it."
She crossed her arms. "That depends."
"Kate…"
"I said what I said."
He sighed. "You're impossible."
She smiled faintly. "And yet, you married me."