Chapter 3 - THE KISS THAT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO MATTER
Dominic closed the office door.
“You shouldn't have seen that photograph.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“No.”
“Then give me one.”
He walked toward the desk.
Harper followed.
“You paid for Madison's treatment.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she needed it.”
“That's not enough.”
“It is to me.”
“Not to me.”
Dominic turned.
“I knew your sister's doctor.”
Harper stared.
“Before we met?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“I was investigating someone.”
“Who?”
He hesitated.
“Your father.”
Harper's entire body stiffened.
“My father died when I was sixteen.”
“I know.”
“What did he have to do with you?”
Dominic looked away.
“I can't tell you yet.”
“Yet?”
“Because you're not ready.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You don't get to decide that.”
Before he could answer, the office door opened.
Elias Montgomery entered.
“Dominic, the commission meeting—”
He stopped.
Harper wiped her eyes.
Elias immediately understood the tension.
“Perhaps I should return later.”
“No,” Harper said.
She looked at Dominic.
“I'll leave.”
Dominic caught her wrist.
“Harper.”
She looked down at his hand.
He released her.
“Fine.”
She walked out.
That evening, Dominic was forced to attend a charity gala.
Harper refused to go.
Until Dominic told her Carmine had specifically requested her presence.
So she dressed in silver.
When she entered the ballroom, every eye turned.
Dominic stood across the room.
His expression changed.
He walked toward her.
“You came.”
“I had no choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
“Then consider this a terrible one.”
He almost smiled.
They entered the ballroom together.
Within minutes, photographers surrounded them.
“Mrs. Russo, look this way!”
“Dominic, kiss your wife!”
Harper froze.
Dominic leaned close.
“Smile.”
“I hate you.”
“Smile harder.”
He placed one hand around her waist.
Then he kissed her.
It was supposed to be an act.
Nothing more.
But Harper felt the world disappear.
His lips were warm.
His hand tightened at her back.
For one breath, she forgot the cameras.
Forgot the contract.
Forgot the danger.
Then Dominic pulled away.
His eyes were darker.
“I'm sorry.”
Harper's voice came out barely above a whisper.
“Don't be.”
They stared at each other.
Then someone applauded.
The moment broke.
Later, Harper went searching for the restroom.
Instead, she heard voices behind a closed door.
Dominic.
And a woman.
“You promised me she would be gone.”
Harper stopped.
The woman continued.
“You can't keep playing husband forever.”
Dominic's voice was low.
“I never promised you anything.”
“You promised me before she existed.”
Harper's heart shattered.
She stepped backward.
A floorboard creaked.
The door opened.
Dominic saw her.
“Harper.”
She turned.
“No.”
He followed.
“Wait.”
“I heard enough.”
“You didn't.”
“I heard another woman say you promised her.”
“She doesn't matter.”
“Then why was she talking about our marriage?”
Dominic grabbed her arm gently.
“Because she is trying to manipulate you.”
“Who is she?”
“My past.”
Harper laughed.
“Then maybe I should stop being part of it.”
She walked away.
Dominic followed.
“Harper!”
She entered the elevator.
The doors closed between them.
That night, she packed a suitcase.
She was halfway through when Dominic entered.
“Where are you going?”
“Back to my apartment.”
“You don't have an apartment.”
“I'll find one.”
He closed the door.
“You're angry.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She frowned.
“Good?”
“It means you care.”
Harper's expression softened despite herself.
Then she remembered the woman.
“I don't know what I am to you.”
Dominic moved closer.
“My wife.”
“Contract wife.”
“No.”
He reached into his pocket.
Removed the original marriage agreement.
He placed it on the table.
Then he tore it in half.
Harper stared.
“What are you doing?”
“Ending the contract.”
Her heart pounded.
“You're releasing me?”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I'm telling you the contract stopped mattering to me weeks ago.”
Harper couldn't breathe.
“Then what matters?”
His eyes held hers.
“You.”
He kissed her again.
This time there were no cameras.
No audience.
No performance.
Only two people who had spent months pretending they felt nothing.
And neither of them noticed the security camera outside the bedroom door.
May you like
Someone was watching.
And someone was smiling.
