Page 100 of The Husband Contract

“I’m listening.”

“I’ve always told you I don’t trust Louisa.”

“Yeah, well?—”

“Something isn’t right. I’m telling you, Willow does not know Sergio.”

“Then what the hell is going on, Jack?”

“I don’t know. But we’re going to find out. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

I feel all the blood drain from my body at his words because everything I’ve done thus far has crossed so many lines. Because if Willow doesn’t know Sergio…then I’ve fucked up her life. And I’ve fucked up my own.

I run my fingers through my hair, feeling faint. I take a few deep breaths, because as sure as I knew that I loved my mother in that instant, I also know I truly love Willow. And if I’m wrong about everything…she will never love me back.

I can’t be wrong.

But in my heart, something tells me that I’m not right.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Willow

“I feel like a princess in an ivory tower. Only the prince who was meant to save me is the one who has me entrapped.” I laugh bitterly into the phone as I chat with Katherine. I feel a bit like a record on repeat, but I can’t help myself.

“You want me and Brielle to rescue you? We can be your knights in shining armor. We can drive up right now.”

“Yeah,” I say, playing along. “I can let my hair down like Rapunzel and you can climb up. We can fight the evil dragon together with my sword.” I squeeze the phone in my right hand tightly. “Though my hair is not yet long enough, nor strong enough, to get either of you up.” I half sob and half laugh at my words.

“Willow, you sound like you’re losing it.” Katherine’s voice is concerned. “Brielle and I are coming up. I don’t care what you say.”

“No, there’s no point?—”

“Share your location with me. Mandy’s working at the hotel tonight, and she can deal with the guests.” She laughs loudly. “Of which we have none right now.”

“Katherine, I don’t want you and Brielle coming. I don’t want you wasting your time. I’m fine.”

“We’re coming, and you can’t stop us. We are best friends. Your family. And frankly, I’m mad at myself I didn’t come sooner.”

My heart soars at her words. I so badly want to see them both.

“You shouldn’t be mad at yourself,” I say. “We didn’t know what was going to happen.”

“I know. But I just wish I hadn’t let you be there by yourself for a couple of weeks without even trying.”

“There’s something I need to tell you.” I scratch my arm absentmindedly. I can feel nerves in my stomach. I suddenly feel lightheaded like I’m going to faint.

“Tell me? What is it? Oh my gosh, has something really bad happened? Please, Willow?—”

“No,” I interrupt. “It’s just... when Sebastian made me sign the contract, he threatened he would ruin your life, your parents’ lives, Brielle’s life, and her parents’ lives. I just don’t want anything to happen to you. I don’t want anything to happen to them—their jobs, their businesses, their homes.”

Katherine laughs loudly. “Girl, he was only saying that because he knows how much you care for us. We’re coming.”

“There’s something else,” I whisper. “I think Sergio was lying.”

“What? We know he was lying, girl.”

“No. I think he was lying out of his ass. I don’t think Sergio is Clark Kent. In fact, I know he’s not.”