Chapter 12
Twenty minutes later, Matt Ford rushed through the front door, his dress shirt sticking to his back. The executive assistant had dropped everything at his boss’s cryptic text.
“Mr. Humphrey,” he said, trying to catch his breath, “you wanted me to locate Mrs. Humphrey?”
Kaden sat motionless on the couch, contract papers crumpled in his fist, staring at nothing. Matt’s voice seemed to jolt him back to reality–the reality where he’d frantically summoned his assistant in a moment of panic.
Yes, he’d intended to have Matt track Hannah down. But as the initial shock subsided, the uncomfortable truth became clear–the contract had expired. It was right there in black and white: a five–year arrangement, mutually beneficial, with a clean break at the end.
Hannah leaving wasn’t a betrayal. She was simply following through on their agreement. What right did he have to chase after her? What possible justification could he give for disrupting her new life?
The tightness in Kaden’s chest made it difficult to breathe. It was over. The contract was fulfilled. He had no legitimate reason to find her.
Matt shifted uncomfortably, watching the emotions play across his normally composed boss’s face. “Sir? Should I still… look for her?”
Kaden leaned back, closing his eyes. His thoughts were in chaos. He didn’t know what to do, what he wanted, or why Hannah’s departure felt like someone had ripped something vital from inside him.
The front door swung open again.
Phoebe walked in, her face pale, eyes puffy and rimmed with red. “Kaden, I’m sorry about earlier,” she said softly. “I crossed a line. I shouldn’t have pressured you like that.”
Kaden looked up but said nothing.
Phoebe sensed immediately that something was wrong. “What’s happened?” She tugged at his sleeve. “You look awful. And why does the house feel so… empty?”
After a long silence, Kaden handed her the contract.
“Hannah and I had a business arrangement,” he said flatly. “Five–year marriage, then we’d go our
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Chapter 12
separate ways. Time’s up. She’s gone. We’re divorced.”
Phoebe froze, then a slow, incredulous smile spread across her face. “Are you serious? This whole time it was just a contract?” She scanned the document repeatedly, unable to contain her joy. “Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve been thinking… But this changes everything!”
She clutched the paper like a winning lottery ticket. “Don’t you see? We can finally be together! I was too young before, too afraid to stand up to our parents, to society. But I’m grown now. Whatever you want to do, I’m ready!”
“We could get married right away–make it impossible for anyone to separate us!”
Her voice trembled with excitement at the future suddenly opening before them.
But Kaden didn’t share her enthusiasm. He frowned, his voice tired. “Stop it, Phoebe. Not now.”
Her smile vanished. “Stop? What’s wrong with you? Isn’t this what you wanted when you signed that contract? You kept yourself free for me, for us–when the five years were up. Now we can finally be together. Why are you pulling away?”
The question struck Kaden like a physical blow.
She was right. When he’d signed the contract, his goal had been exactly that—to keep his options open, to preserve the possibility of a future with Phoebe.
So why, now that the moment had arrived, was he filled with hesitation?
When had things changed?
Was it during those quiet breakfasts with Hannah, finding unexpected charm in her unfailing politeness?
Or when he’d discovered a calming steadiness in her gaze that he’d never found in Phoebe’s?
Or perhaps when she’d mentioned Chace Crawford, and that unfamiliar jealousy had flared inside
him?
Kaden struggled with emotions he couldn’t name–regret, loss, confusion.
His silence spoke volumes. Phoebe’s face darkened with realization. “I’ve been noticing it for a while now,” she said, her voice rising. “You keep saying you love me like before, but you don’t! Tell me the
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truth–are you in love with Hannah? Her or me–who do you really love?”
Kaden opened his mouth but found no words.
Phoebe stared at him, panic spreading across her features. “You’re not answering! Why aren’t you answering?” Her voice cracked. “You loved me for so long–how could you suddenly love her instead? I don’t believe it! Is it just because she left? Fine–I’ll leave too!”
She turned and ran, stumbling slightly, as if the weight of her emotions made it hard to stay upright.
But Kaden remained rooted to the spot, watching her go. For the first time, he didn’t immediately
chase after her.
He was tired–exhausted by the endless drama, the constant demands.
Matt had witnessed the entire scene, standing awkwardly by the door. After what felt like an eternity, he cleared his throat. “Sir? Who… should I be looking for now?”
Kaden couldn’t answer.
Matt ventured carefully, “Perhaps, Mr. Humphrey, whoever you’re thinking about right now–that’s who you want to find.”
The suggestion hit Kaden like lightning, illuminating everything.
He covered his eyes with his hand, and after a long moment, forced out the words that his heart had already decided:
“Find Hannah.”
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Chapter 13
