Page 50 of A Forbidden Arrangement

Becca laughs. “That’s because he wants you to stop begging for ice cream every morning.”

“But hestillgave me ice cream,” Toby says, puffing his chest with pride. “He says winners get treats. He’s the coolest grown-up ever.”

I grin, resting my chin on my hand. “Sounds like you’ve got him wrapped around your finger.”

Toby nods hard, crumbs flying. “Yup. You too. He likes you. He talks funny when you’re around.”

Becca hides a smile behind her hand, and Marco snorts into his drink. My face heats immediately.

Toby beams, completely unaware of the damage. “He’s gonna marry you forever.”

I blink. “That’s…one way to put it.”

I pause, trying to reconcile the Xander they describe with the man I know. My thumb traces the letters on my ring finger as my thoughts spin in circles, each one contradicting the last.

That night at the bar, when everything felt like it was falling apart, he’d appeared out of nowhere. Scared off that scumbag. His breath had been warm against my ear as he promised me things I never thought I could have. It hadn’t just been sex. He made me feel powerful. Untouchable. Like with him beside me, I could take whatever I wanted and never feel ashamed of it.

And he kept his word. He touched me like I was something to be worshipped. Held me close. Whispered against my skin. He was strong and in control, but somehow, he made me feel the same.

I’d planned to keep that night forever. A reminder that I could still want things, still reach for something more. Which is why seeing him with Elliot, both of them standing over what they thought was my unconscious body, hit like a punch to the chest. All the shame he’d helped me forget came flooding back. I keep trusting the wrong people.

Toby tugs on his mother’s shirt, and Becca turns to tickle him. His giggles fill the room, high and bright, showing off a missing tooth as he squirms in her arms. He looks at her with such complete trust that it hurts to watch. That kind of love doesn’t come easy. It’s earned by never letting someone down.

My chest squeezes tight. This boy will never be abandoned. He’ll never have to fend for himself. Xander made that possible. The same man who tattooed his name on my finger, married me while I was unconscious, and locked me in this house is the same man who made it possible for this boy to be with his mom.

I may not know much about rich people, but I know this isn’t normal. Most employers want their staff invisible, not laughing in their kitchen.

Some of the weight in my chest eases. Maybe I didn’t misjudge him completely. Maybe, for a few brief hours that night, I saw the man he really was. I shove down the ache that follows, the reminder that whoever he was then isn’t the man who married me.

“We ready?” Marco asks, laying down a card in front of me and dealing seven to each of us.

Toby studies his cards like a tiny general planning a war. Mrs. Price presses a hand to her chest and groans when she has to pick up four more.

Becca laughs. “He’s been impossible since Mr. Xander taught him how to play.”

“He’s the best,” Toby says proudly, then turns to me with a grin. “You know, Mr. Xander, he watches you a lot.”

My fingers freeze on my cards. “Oh, does he?”

Toby nods with complete confidence. “Yup. I saw him looking at you this morning. He was smiling.”

Marco snorts. “Kid’s got a gift for observation.”

“Play your card,” Becca says, still laughing.

Toby slaps down a red four. “Uno!”

“Already?” I say, shaking my head. “You’re cheating.”

“I’m just good. Mr. Xander says hard work always wins.”

It doesn’t take long for Toby to win again. When he does, Becca leans toward me. “I forgot to warn you. He’s pretty good at this game.”

“Good? He’s a menace.” I laugh, tossing my cards down. “I’m just glad we aren’t betting.”

Toby yawns, eyelids drooping. “If we were, I’d buy Mr. Xander more cookies. He really likes cookies.”

Becca scoops him up with a smile. “Time for a nap, champ.”