THE MISTRESS CONTRACT

CHAPTER 9: REJECTED CONTRACT

Chapter 9: Rejected Contract

Ivy McDonald thought it would be easier to walk away. But she forgot that Jason Lockwood would never back down, especially not when it came to business, and certainly not when it came to her.

Jason’s heart broke as he held Ivy close. “I wish I could... but I can’t,” he said, his voice nearly breaking. “At least, not now.”
Before Ivy could say anything else, he turned and walked away, leaving her in tears, staring after him with a thousand unanswered questions.

Ivy walked briskly, her heels clicking on the hard floor echoing louder than her heartbeat. Her fingers curled around a brown envelope; her final decision was inside. She had made up her mind. She was ending this façade of a contract today, and nothing would stop her.

She found Jason on the couch in his living room, mask on as usual. The moment he saw her, he lifted his head and didn’t take his eyes off her again. His gaze needed no explanation. It was filled with raw, dark demands.

“I’m done with this s**t,” she gruffed, flipping the sealed envelope in front of him.

Jason didn’t move, nor did he reach for it. His voice was low, but calm. “It’s expected. But give me a minute.” He pulled out a drawer and thrust another envelope toward her.

She sized Jason up with her eyes, then slowly and cautiously opened the envelope.

She looked stunned. It was a new contract.

Within seconds, Ivy was blowing hot under the collar as she read the details: full control. No mask when they are alone. No more lies.

“You’re so unbelievable.” She clenched her jaw and immediately tore the contract into shreds, throwing the pieces in Jason’s face. “If you think I’d ever have anything to do with you again in this life, then you must be delusional.”

Jason stood, his expression laced with pain. “Ivy, I still love you. Please give me another chance to prove myself to you.”

“Shove that love down your ass,” she snapped and stormed out of his penthouse.

That night, alone in her bedroom, Ivy tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep a wink. The night stretched on, and its silence became deafening. She couldn’t take the restlessness anymore. By midnight, her balled fists were pounding on Jason’s penthouse door.

He opened it.

Jason stood there, unsurprised, as if he’d been expecting her. The mask was gone. His chest was bare. There was a darkness in his eyes that promised danger and something deeper.

His lips curved into a slow smile. “Come in.”

Thunder roared behind her as she stepped into Jason’s world once again.

But unknown to them, Gerald Tyler had been watching.

A wicked smile curled his lips.
“It’s high time I make my move.”