Love Takes Off At Thirty Thousand Feet

The car kept shaking hard in the darkness. This went on for quite a while. Eventually, everything went still.

Irene Burton sat inside. Her clothes were in complete disarray. Her hands wouldn't stop shaking while she tried to fix her buttons.

Caiden Smith found it funny to watch her rush around like that. He kept staring at her. Her face turned bright red. He laughed and said, "Come to my place tomorrow."

Tomorrow would mark her birthday.

Did Caiden still remember?

The thought made happiness flash through Irene's eyes.

His next words killed that feeling fast though. He said, "Paulina's stopping by tomorrow. She's not in good health. I'll shoot you a menu. Cook up something healthy for her."

Irene answered, "Yes, Mr. Smith." It felt like someone was cutting her heart to pieces, but she kept her voice steady.

Paulina Moore was the one Caiden had been hung up on for ages.

She had been overseas getting her medical training. Word was she had made some major breakthroughs in her research. She had just gotten back this week.

Now that Paulina had returned, Irene figured her time was up. She was just a cheap knockoff anyway.

That thought made Irene smile, though there was no joy in it. She asked, "When are you planning to end our relationship?"

"End our relationship?" He found the question hilarious. He grabbed her chin in that teasing way of his. His eyes roamed over her body like they always did. He said, "You really think you can walk away from me? From the first guy you ever slept with?"

Irene had started things with Caiden at eighteen. She had been completely innocent back then. He had shaped her into exactly what he wanted in every possible way.

Paulina had a Ph.D. in medicine. Once she settled back in the country, she would probably land a job at some elite medical company. She wouldn't have much time to keep him company.

Hence, Irene was still useful.

Caiden's stare made her face go hot. She gathered her nerve and said in a shaky voice, "You were the first, sure. But you won't be the last. I won't be the mistress. I'm going to find someone who actually gives a damn about me and build a real life!"

Caiden looked at her and casually pulled out a bank card. "Whether we're done or not? That's not your call to make."

He waited a beat, then added with a nasty grin, "Think your family would be cool with that?"

Those words stopped her cold.

Irene left the bank card where it was. Instead, she practically fell out of the car, totally humiliated.

Old, painful memories came flooding back.

Back in the day, Irene's father Tobias Dixon and her second brother Neil Dixon had racked up massive gambling bills. Her oldest brother Levi Dixon was off studying abroad. That cost a fortune.

Her third brother Sean Dixon was the only one bringing in any cash. He worked as Caiden's secretary.

Sean had basically handed Irene over to Caiden at some business dinner to clear those debts.

That night had been Irene's first time having sex. Fear had taken her over completely. She had felt ashamed and degraded. Her entire body had not stopped shaking.

But Caiden had been surprisingly tender.

Irene had been starving for any kind of love. So even though he kept whispering Paulina's name the whole night, she had fallen for him anyway.

She found out later that she had caught Caiden's eye because she looked like Paulina. They had even studied the same stuff.

Paulina was a few years older than Irene. But Irene had serious talent. She had blazed through her college work in just two years.

Still, Caiden got possessive. Right before graduation, he had made Irene give up on her medical career dreams. She didn't even complete her degree because of it.

She had become his private nutritionist instead. His secret girlfriend.

Irene knew perfectly well that Caiden just wanted her for sex. But she held onto this pitiful fantasy that Paulina would stay gone forever.

At least then, she could stick around near Caiden.

But today smashed that fantasy to bits.

...

Irene kept herself busy in the kitchen at the Smith family's villa. She wasn't paying attention. She went and burned her hand by accident. When she cried out, Caiden gave her a mild scolding. He said, "Watch yourself next time."

He took a quick look at her hand. Then he headed for the fridge to grab some ice.

A little spark of happiness hit Irene. Maybe he was going to take care of her burn himself.

But right then, Paulina entered the house looking classy as hell.

Her makeup looked perfect. She carried herself with grace, radiating this glowing confidence. It made Irene feel like garbage.

Caiden, who had been heading toward Irene, switched directions immediately and rushed over to welcome Paulina.

He didn't even glance at Irene again.

Irene stared at her hand. It was swollen and bright red. She laughed at herself through her tears.

Paulina looked over all the food at dinner. She said, touched, "Every single dish today is something I love, Caiden. You're so considerate."

The words stabbed Irene right in the heart.

These were also the dishes Caiden usually liked.

It turned out his tastes just matched Paulina's.

Every single thing she had learned about Caiden had Paulina woven through it. The two of them had been connected forever, even while Paulina was overseas.

Irene couldn't wrap her head around how she had missed all of this.

Marlee Smith, Caiden's mom, was normally super critical. But she gushed all over Paulina. She said, "Paulina, you're back for good now, right? We can finally get down to business and plan your wedding to Caiden."

Paulina gave Caiden a shy look and responded, "Marlee, I've been gone forever. How do I know Caiden doesn't have somebody special by now? I wouldn't want to stand in the way of his happiness."

While Paulina talked, her eyes darted over to Irene. The implication was obvious.

Marlee's voice grew sharp and mean. She said, "Sure, Irene gets to sit at our table. But someone from such a low background? Our family would never accept that."

She beamed at Paulina and added, "Only an educated woman with a Ph.D. like you deserves Caiden."

Caiden poured Paulina some wine. His voice was gentle and sure when he said, "Paulina, it's always been just you. From the start to now. Rumors don't mean a thing."

Paulina lifted her wine glass and took a shy sip. She didn't say anything else.

Right then, Irene got it. Caiden hadn't invited her today just to make this meal. What really mattered was showing Paulina that nothing was happening between him and Irene. Not now, not ever.

It was brutal. The whole thing cut deep.

Irene choked down her hurt and made up some excuse to get out of there fast.

The burn on her hand kept throbbing. It kept her from floating off somewhere in her head. She dug out her phone and found a number she had blocked ages ago. Through her tears, she typed out a message. It said, "Mr. Shaw, does that contract marriage deal still work? I'm interested now."