'I Do' For Revenge Chapter 24: Love Life

~LAYLA~

My heart thudded so hard I thought it might crack my ribs. For a long beat, neither of us moved. His arm was still draped across , and my cheek was still pressed against his chest.

"Were you staring at ?" his voice still sounded rough from sleep.

"No!" I said quickly, feeling the heat flood my face. Why was it that when it ca to Axel, I lost my senses and acted like a horny teenager? Love had already burned once; that should be enough lesson for . Not to ntion, this was just a marriage of convenience, nothing else.

His brow arched. "That so?"

"Yes." I scrambled to sit up, clutching the blanket. "Don’t twist it. Plus, you looked first."

Before he could say anything to refute that ridiculous claim, I bolted from the bed and rushed into the bathroom, slamming the door behind .

My legs felt wobbly, and my hands were sweaty. I pressed my back against the door and slid down until I was sitting on the cold tile floor.

I whispered to myself. "Get it together, Layla."

I took several deep breaths, trying to calm down. This marriage was a business arrangent. I couldn’t let myself get carried away by a few tender monts.

I took a shower, and when I finally walked out, Axel just nodded and walked past into the bathroom, while I changed into new clothes and went to the balcony for so fresh air.

By the ti I walked back into the room, he was already dressed in another perfectly tailored suit, checking his phone.

"What are your plans for the day?" I asked, trying to sound casual. "Can I get a ride with you?"

"That won’t be possible," he said without looking up. "I’ll be tied up in etings all day. But I’ve already arranged for a driver if you want to tour the city or do so shopping."

"Okay," I said. "That works."

"The driver will be here whenever you’re ready," he continued, heading toward the door. "I’ll see you later."

I glanced at the clock and gasped. "Oh no, we overslept! It’s almost noon!"

Quickly, I got ready and hurried downstairs to et the driver. The cafe where I was eting Erica was only a fifteen-minute drive away, but I was still nervous about being late.

The mont I walked into the cosy little cafe, I spotted her imdiately. Even after all these years, Erica looked almost the sa, just more grown-up. Her face lit up when she saw .

"Layla!" she squealed, jumping up from her table to hug .

"Erica!" I hugged her back tightly, feeling tears prick my eyes. "I can’t believe you’re really here."

"Look at you," she said, pulling back to study my face. "You’re even more beautiful than you were in high school. Marriage suits you."

We sat down and ordered coffee, both of us talking over each other in our excitent.

"Tell everything," Erica said. "I want to know about what you’ve been up to... your job, your husband, this whole scandal with your family. I saw so of it on the news, but I want to hear it from you."

I found myself opening up to her in a way I hadn’t with anyone in years. There was sothing about Erica that made feel at ease, as if I could confide in her about anything.

"My family has always been difficult," I admitted. "But what happened at the gala was a new low, even for them."

"I always noticed the preferential treatnt when we were younger," Erica said gently. "The way they treated Cassandra versus how they treated you. But I never said anything because you seed to think it was normal."

I sighed. "I didn’t think it was normal, exactly. But I was always so focused on pleasing them, on making them proud. I believed it was my responsibility as the older daughter to be perfect, to never cause problems."

"And look where that got you," Erica said sadly. "I’m so sorry you had to go through that."

"It’s okay," I said. "I’m in a better place now."

"Speaking of which," Erica said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity, "tell more about your husband. He looks... intense."

I almost choked on my coffee. "Intense is one word."

"Co on, spill. I an, I know about Axel O’Brien, the richest man in the country. But that’s about it. You are his wife, so you should know more."

I felt my cheeks warm. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything! How did you et? What’s he like? Are you happy?"

I hesitated. What could I say? That our marriage more business than love? That sotis he was cold, other tis unexpectedly gentle, and it confused the hell out of . It was monts like this that made realize Axel and I had no love story we could use convince people our marriage was real.

"All well and good," I said carefully. "He’s been, well, more than I can ask for."

Erica tilted her head, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "You really love him."

I felt heat rush to my cheeks. "That’s... well..."

"Oh my god, you are so shy, and it’s so adorable!" she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

I quickly changed the subject. "What about you? Are you seeing anyone?"

We talked for another hour about her job, her dating life, and her dium-sized apartnt. It felt so good to have a friend again, soone who knew the real .

"Would you like to have dinner at our hotel tonight?" I asked as we were getting ready to leave. "The restaurant there is supposed to be amazing."

"I’d love to!" Erica said. "Will Axel be there? I’d love to see you two together, and, of course, et him properly."

I thought for a mont. "I think I can arrange that."

We were just getting up from the table when my phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. When I read it, my blood ran cold.

"This isn’t over, Layla. Do you think your new wealthy husband can save you from ? Think again. I’m coming for you, and next ti I won’t miss."

I let out a deep breath.

Erica noticed instantly. "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," I lied quickly. "Just a text from my sister. She’s being dramatic, as usual."

"The sa sister who orchestrated that whole setup at the gala?" She frowned. "Layla, that doesn’t sound like sothing to brush off. You should get a restraining order."

"Yeah," I said, tucking my phone away. "I’ll see what I can do about it."

We hugged goodbye, and I headed back to the hotel. The driver was waiting for , and during the ride, I couldn’t help but think about Cassandra’s ssage. Why in the world wouldnt she leave alone? What else was she planning now?

Back in the hotel room, I decided to take a nap to clear my head. I must have been more tired than I thought because I slept deeply.

I woke up to the sound of rustling fabric and opened my eyes to see Axel. He was at the closet, unbuttoning his shirt, his broad back catching the soft glow of the lamp.

My heart shot into my throat, and I quickly shut my eyes, trying to stay very still and pretend I was still asleep. I heard footsteps moving around for a bit, then there was silence.

When I thought he’d gone into the bathroom, I carefully opened one eye, only to find myself staring directly into his dark eyes. He was leaning over with an amused smirk.

"You don’t play sleep very well," he said.

"I just woke up," I said quickly, sitting up. "I didn’t want to make things weird when I saw you, you know... changing."

He noticed my red cheeks, and his smirk widened. "How considerate of you."

He stood up to head toward the bathroom, and I quickly called out, "Wait! I wanted to ask you sothing."

He turned back to . "What is it?"

"I invited a friend to have dinner with us tonight at the hotel restaurant. Would you... Could you join us? Please?"

Axel looked hesitant. "I’ve had a long day, Layla. I was planning to order room service and go to bed early."

"Please," I said, giving him my best pleading look. "She’s my best friend from high school. I haven’t seen her in years, and she really wants to et you."

He studied my face for a mont, then sighed. "Fine. But make it quick. I want to be in bed by ten."

"Thank you!" I said, probably sounding more excited than the situation warranted. "You won’t regret it."

"I already do," he said, but there was no real annoyance in his voice as he headed into the bathroom. If anything, I almost heard a chuckle.

It occurred to at that mont, I was beginning to break through Axel’s high walls.