Page 73 of Temporary Vows

"I better get going. I'll see you tomorrow. Or… whenever." She dips her head and turns toward the door.

I stand, too, but there’s something I’m curious to know. "Elodie."

She stops and turns to face me.

"Why did you say yes?" Our eyes lock, and she stills, tension returning. "Besides the obvious financial benefit. Why?"

She looks at me for a long moment, and her guard slips, allowing me to see the chaos within.

"I'm done with this version of me," she says. "Time to wake up. Get my head out of the clouds and try something different. That might work better than what I did before."

“What did you do before?” I don’t know why I ask.

“Dream.” The word comes out fragile, like it doesn’t belong to her anymore.

I almost feel sad. The version of herself she's burying was the one I liked.

She was one of those people who should still believe in things—whatever that thing was.

Now she sounds broken. As broken as me.

I push the thought out of my mind and stop myself from examining why that bothers me.

Elodie gives me a curt smile, then leaves. I listen to her footsteps until I can’t hear them anymore, then the house is quiet again.

I pour another scotch and think of the victory I just claimed.

I got myself a wife. Who would have thought it would be Jack’s little sister?

The girl who was off-limits to me.

Now she’s mine.

Chapter 16

Elodie

Istep into my new bedroom with a box in my arms and stop just inside the doorway.

A queen-sized bed sits at the center of the room dressed in soft satin sheets. Built-in shelves line two walls, ready to house all the books I’ve kept in boxes over the years. The walls are adorned in a silky cream-patterned paper, different from the dark hues covering the rest of the house.

Everything looks polished and exceptionally beautiful.

I take a few steps further in, my gaze drifting as I try to take it all in at once. A door stands open to my left, revealing an en-suite bathroom with marble counters and a glass shower.

On the other side, a walk-in wardrobe stretches out, already fitted with empty hangers and drawers waiting to be filled.

God, the room is bigger than my entire apartment, with an in-your-face luxury that reminds me why I accepted Dorian’s offer.

Skylar and I arrived ten minutes ago. We were just behind the movers, who took the bulk of my stuff—mostly books.

We took care of my personal items and the notebooks I use for school with my lesson plans.

Skylar is downstairs looking around the house. I’m yet to do the same, but I needed a moment to myself.

I set my box down near the dresser and drag in a deep breath as I process the first moments of my new life.

I have no idea what will happen from here onwards, but this part doesn’t feel bad. That’s a good thing.