His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 23

1 had never heard a silence that was so loud. It was weighing down on my shoulders when we settled on the long wooden table. Gabriel on one side along with Peter and a girl I didn’t recognise, and me, Alyssa and our boss on the other.

I half expected my husband to make a scene, to scream, shout of at least acknowledge me, but instead he say quietly on the other side, his eyes focused on just me, his gaze so sharp I was afraid to even look at him.

I kept my vision and all focus on the file in front of me while a conversation spun.

“This came as quite a surprise to us. It was Viktor, my boss, who was speaking. “We heard rumours about your expansion to Europe. I wasn’t too sure if the news is true, but I guess it is.”

“It is. Gabriel replied.

Look up. Look up. He didn’t ask you where you were working, so you didn’t tell. You didn’t make a mistake. You’re not guilty.

I looked up.

His eyes were still on me, eyes narrowed when I looked at him, making me regret looking up.

Wales was the biggest competitor of Whitlock. I wondered why I was on a table with the CEO of them both.

Gabriel finally looked at Viktor. “I fired Arthur Geller two weeks ago.”

I stiffened. My boss raised an eyebrow. “I heard a word or two about that. So it’s true?”

Gabriel nodded. “One of his companies”

Viktor cut him off. He has a packaging and distributing base in England. So do I. Let me guess, since you’ve fired Arthur, you want me to package for you.”

for Crystal. I want you to

that? Help you expand to England, I mean. Being

only have the capital and time to set up manufacturing before the year ends, not the packing and distributing of it. I also happen to know that your

my father.” Viktor’s

that wasn’t

did not

when you blackmailed him out of his own company,

no offer. You’ve come

It started out as an irritation in my throat, and as I coughed

chest.

|

still coughing, and it

breath, eyes filled with water. “I don’t

her, please.” Gabriel said please, but there was no

up to Gabriel, as dill the rest of the table. He

his hand was softly behind my back. Barely touching. Just grazing. But it was there, lightly patting

said, take your hand off my wife.” He repeated, emphasising

wife?” Viktor raised an eyebrow and I immediately shrugged

My wife. It isn’t Ms. Baker, it’s Mrs. Whitlock for you.

my name being said along with

shirt, he walked from his side of

up, voice nothing more than

“As:

sick and your working hours are over. I’m sure you don’t mind me taking her home with me, do

at Peter. “Collect all her stuff and get it home,

held my hand, firm, and he began walking out, leaving me no choice but to