Chapter 10 Are You Free To Sleep With Me

Julian let out a cold, humorless laugh. "So if my dad gets too worked up and something happens to him, it's all on me now? That's a convenient little setup you've got there."

Katherine's brows furrowed. "Then tell me, what's a better solution?"

"You're the one itching for a divorce, not me. Why should I be the one offering options?" he shot back, his voice laced with disdain.

Katherine clenched her jaw, feeling like his indifference was squeezing the air out of her lungs. "Then maybe we should just be honest with him."

Julian looked over at her, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The study was spacious, and she'd purposely chosen a seat far away, keeping her distance.

Her words, her tone, even the way she looked at him now, it all screamed one thing-she was determined to divorce him.

Fighting off the urge to snap, Julian said icily, "Even if you manage to calm him down after telling him the truth, does that mean the drama ends there? Your mom, your brother, your jailed dad-will they all magically disappear from my family's radar?"

"I never dragged you into any of their problems," Katherine shot back.

"True, you didn't come asking for handouts. But do you even know the stunts your mom's been pulling while you look the other way?"

Katherine's eyes went wide. "What are you talking about?"

Julian's voice cut like glass. "Go ask her. See what kind of favors she's been cashing in."

Deep down, she already knew. Her brother's hospital bills and her father's so-called privileges in prison-those didn't come from thin air.

"Katherine, unless you're ready to pay back every favor, quit tossing around this divorce card. You wanted this life, so keep playing the part," said Julian coldly.

Her stomach twisted. He'd endured their marriage for three years, and now it felt like he was ready to make her pay for every second.

She gave a bitter laugh. "So what's the plan, then? No divorce, and suddenly you want a baby?"

"Works for me."

She stared at him, stunned. What had gotten into him? Rage bubbled just beneath her calm. "And how exactly are you planning to make that happen? Because let's be honest-getting there the normal way would be a miracle for you."

A muscle tightened in Julian's jaw as a flicker of curiosity crossed his face. What would she be like if she actually took the lead?

The thought amused him. With a faint smirk, he said, "Alright then. Show me what you've got. Or skip the effort-just drug me. I'll even have a few bottles delivered."

Katherine was stunned into silence.

He eyed her from head to toe, then added with a sneer, "Actually, you'd better get a whole case. You're gonna need it."

Boiling with rage, Katherine turned on her heel and stormed out, the door slamming behind her.

The housekeeper, who had clearly been listening in, gave a fake little wipe of the floor and chirped, "Aren't the two of you heading to bed soon?"

Katherine didn't even look her way. With a storm brewing on her face, she strode off toward the bedroom by herself.

She tossed and turned, but sleep wouldn't come. Her thoughts were too noisy. So instead, she got up and began quietly gathering everything in the room that reminded her of Julian, stashing them away like she was clearing him out of her life bit by bit.

While clearing out a drawer, her hand brushed against a business card she'd tucked away and forgotten.

Her eyes fixed on the number, and a wave of shame rushed up her chest. She clamped her lips shut, trying to swallow it down.

A reckless thought slipped into her mind, one she hadn't dared to consider before.

Julian didn't love her, yet he held on like she was his possession.

Now he wanted a child, and she was supposed to magically make it happen on her own?

Alright then. Challenge accepted.

Katherine studied the card. No name. Just a title-an executive at Nash Group-and a phone number.

But she hadn't forgotten him from that night-tall, strong build, defined muscles. He was young too. Hard to miss.

Drawing in a deep breath, she typed out a message and hit send.

......

The next morning, Julian skipped breakfast entirely and headed straight to work.

Cayson was waiting, holding out a cup of coffee like usual.

Julian took a sip, then winced. "What the hell is this? Did you make this swill yourself?"

Cayson cringed and swiftly reclaimed the cup. "Apologies, sir. I'll get you a fresh one."

But instead of leaving, he just stood there, with coffee in hand, like he had something to say but couldn't spit it out.

Still stewing from the night before, Julian's gaze sharpened. "Are you planning to turn into a statue, or are you going to speak?"

Cayson drew a deep breath, bracing himself. There was no point in stalling. "Sir, I need to tell you something."

"Go on."

"It's about your wife."

Julian's eyebrow lifted. He waited, silent but alert.

Swallowing hard, Cayson continued, "She messaged me last night..."

Julian's expression hardened. "She texted you? What exactly did she say?"

Without answering, Cayson simply handed over his phone. "Better if you read it yourself."

Julian took the phone and glanced down at the screen.

The message was blunt. "Hi. Are you free to sleep with me?"