He Married Her For A Bet—But The Night She Collapsed, Everything He Thought He Controlled Fell Apart P2
Taylor had signed because he needed something Maya could provide.
They had agreed on boundaries.
Privacy.
No expectations.
No questions.
And above all, no pretending.
At least, that was what they had told themselves.
But somewhere along the way, the arrangement had become complicated.
Because Taylor had started noticing things.
The way Maya remembered the names of hotel staff.
The way she thanked everyone.
The way she always checked whether the driver had eaten.
The way she quietly donated clothes she no longer needed.
The way she could walk into a room full of wealthy strangers and still be more interested in whether someone else was comfortable.
And Maya had started noticing things about Taylor too.
The way he worked until two in the morning.
The way he never talked about his father.
The way he became quiet whenever someone mentioned his childhood.
The way he always looked lonely in crowded rooms.
Neither of them had admitted any of it.
Until tonight.
Taylor slowly turned toward the bar.
The women had stopped laughing.
They were watching him now.
The first woman forced a smile.
“Taylor.”
He didn’t smile back.
“Did you say something about my wife?”
The woman’s face changed.
“I—no. I was only—”
“Because I heard you.”
The ballroom became painfully quiet.
Maya tugged gently on his hand.
“Taylor.”
He didn’t move.
The woman glanced around for support.
Nobody stepped forward.
She tried to laugh.
“It was just a joke.”
Taylor nodded slowly.
“A joke.”
“Yes.”
He looked at Maya.
Then back at the woman.
“Tell me what’s funny.”
The woman opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Taylor’s expression hardened.
“You said my marriage was a publicity stunt.”
The woman swallowed.
“I didn’t mean—”
“And then you suggested my wife was charity.”
Nobody laughed this time.
Taylor stepped forward.
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