Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run

Chapter 749

When Kaitlyn left the Dawson family home, the early spring air felt colder than usual. Every time she walked out of that place, it was like the weight of the world settled on her shoulders.

Alan had always treated her well-and she owed him for it. That kind of kindness was a debt she couldn't just shrug off.

She gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Half a year. That's all that was left. Three years had already passed; what was a few more months? Besides, with the way Jackson seemed to hate her, even if he had another three years, he'd never set foot in their so-called marital home.

Maybe that was for the best.

Driving to her studio, Kaitlyn couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The mood today felt tense-like everyone was waiting for bad news.

She turned to her assistant. "What's going on?"

Her assistant blushed, fidgeting with her phone. "You know that movie we signed onto with the director? The investors just switched. The new backer's a big deal— like, way out of our league. Their rep is here and wants to talk with you."

Kaitlyn's eyebrows drew together. She only managed six artists-none of them stars, just bit parts in films. But movies were the fastest way for them to move up, and she'd worked hard to build good relationships with a few directors. She couldn't afford to mess that up, and she definitely couldn't afford to lose the investors.

Some days, she really was just another person struggling to keep her job.

She pushed open her office door and stopped short. Sitting in her chair, flipping through a magazine, was Jackson.

look up at first-just lazily turned a page, like he

habit, but the second she realized

"You don't look thrilled

if something she'd said last night had set him off. Normally, a guy with his

at the director hovering beside

this is our new investor. We're in luck-Jackson's got money to burn. Says he'll up the budget, but wants to personally

this was normal? Since when

practically friends now. She could only take a deep breath and roll

right? Once Jackson got involved, all the other investors bailed. We

whispers to know what was going on. It was obvious: he was too much trouble, and his presence had scared everyone else

cared. That was just business-the

chair, perfectly at ease, waiting for them

sweat from his forehead and quickly made his exit, leaving

at him,

a lazy wave. "Funny running into you here. Didn't we

"Jackson, what do you want? This is just

fountain pen her fountain pen, actually—his long