MY CONTRACT HUSBAND IS A RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 14 - You Don't Get To Leave

3 weeks.

3 weeks since I left.

3 weeks since I last saw him.

I threw myself into work. New job. Small company. No Virel.

My mom was discharged. Healthy.

But my apartment felt empty.

Until the knock at 11PM.

I opened the door.

Alexander.

Beard. Messy hair. Black shirt. Holding a brown paper bag.

"You look tired." I said.

"I am." He looked at me like he was memorizing me. "Can I come in?"

"No."

"Please."

I sighed and stepped aside.

He walked in. Looked around. Small living room. Small kitchen.

"Is this where you live now?"

"Yes."

"It's smaller than my closet."

"I like it."

Silence.

He set the bag on the table. "I brought soup. From that place you like. In Paris."

My chest hurt. "Why are you here, Alexander?"

"Because you don't get to leave." He turned to me. "Not like this."

"Watch me."

He flinched. "I was wrong. About everything."

"Save it."

"No." He stepped closer. "I lied. About the merger. About the contract. About why I married you."

"I know."

"But I didn't lie about this." He grabbed my hand. Put it on his chest. His heart was racing. "This. Right here. This is real."

I pulled my hand away. "You had 1 year to say that."

"I was scared." He laughed bitterly. "I'm Alexander Virel. I buy companies. I don't do feelings. I don't do... this."

"Then leave."

"I can't." His voice broke. "Because the day you walked out, I realized something. I'd rather have you mad at me in my life... than perfect and fake in it."

Tears. Again.

"You're an idiot." I whispered.

"I know."

"And a liar."

"I know."

"And..." I looked up at him. "I missed you too."

He froze. Then he was in front of me. Hands on my face.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked. Like a boy. Not a CEO.

"Only if you mean it."

"I do."

And he kissed me.

Not desperate. Not for cameras.

Just him. And me. And 1 year of pretending finally ending.

When we pulled apart, he rested his forehead on mine.

"So... does this mean you're not quitting?"

I smiled. For the first time in weeks. "Depends. Are you renewing the contract?"

He grinned. The real one. Rare.

"Forever this time. No papers needed."

And for once...

I believed him.