Page 36 of Shattered Throne
"Mommy?" Zoe tugged at my hand. "Can we go home now? I'm hungry."
"Yeah, baby." My voice sounded far away. I folded the paper and buried it in my bag. "Let's go home."
The bus ride was long and cold. Zoe fell asleep against my shoulder, exhausted from her day, trusting me to get her where she needed to go. I stared out the window at the city streaming past and did the math again.
$800 for the car. $1,847 for rent. Utilities were past due. Groceries were running low.
And Xavier's offer, sitting there like an emergency exit I kept pretending I couldn't see.
That night, after Zoe was in bed, I sat at the kitchen table again. The same spot. The same darkness. The same impossible choice.
Could I really do this?
The man was ridiculously attractive. That was part of the problem. It would be easy to forget this was a job. I'd done that before. Trusted a charming man. Believed his promises. I gave him my heart and watched him walk away with it.
I wouldn't make that mistake again.
But this was different. This wasn't about love. It was about money, pure and simple. A transaction. I would provide a service, and he would pay me for it. No feelings required.
I could do that. I had to do that.
For Zoe.
I picked up my phone and typed:
I have conditions.
His response came within seconds:
Name them.
My fingers hesitated over the screen. Then I started typing.
Zoe is not a prop. She's a child. You won't involve her in any of this. She won't attend events, she won't be part of this. She stays out of it completely.
Agreed.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
I maintain boundaries. This is a job. Nothing more. So no kisses, no physical contact of any kind.
The pause was longer this time. Then:
Well...
My heart stuttered. I knew what that meant. Of course, I knew. His grandmother would expect to see affection betweenus. Touches. Kisses. The normal physical language of a couple in love.
The thought of kissing Xavier Dubois sent something complicated through my chest. I pictured it despite myself: his hand on my waist, his face leaning toward mine, his lips?—
I shook my head. Hard. Get it together, Kim. You need this money.
Only when necessary. And just a peck. Nothing more.
Understood.
If this harms Zoe in any way, I'm out. No penalty, no repayment. I walk away.
Agreed. I would never hurt her, Kim.
