Chapter Sixteen

Grace’s POV

By the time I got back from lunch with Quinn, I felt steadier. Not better. Not fixed. But like maybe, I wouldn’t cry in the women’s bathroom for twenty minutes the way I almost did this morning. Small wins.

I stepped into the office and felt it immediately. The tension humming from Hunter’s office.

Great. He was in a mood. I could always tell. He didn’t even need to speak. The air shifted when he was pissed.

His door was open. He sat behind his desk, eyes fixed on the screen, jaw tight. I didn’t look at him for more than a second. Just walked to my desk like I hadn’t felt his gaze snap to me the moment I stepped into the room.

I clicked into my emails, but my fingers wouldn’t stop trembling on the keys.

“Grace. A word.” His voice sliced through the thick silence.

I stood slowly, smoothing down the front of my blouse. I wasn’t sure if I was angry or scared or just exhausted. I was carrying my secrets and Helena’s now. And it was all starting to crush me.

His office was too bright. Too clean. As I stepped in, I shut the door behind me quietly.

He didn’t look up. “You went to lunch.”

Talk about stating the obvious. I’d sent him an email. Was this really about lunch?

“Yes,” I said, calm. “With Quinn.”

His jaw ticked.

“Does she know about the baby?”

I blinked. “There isn’t a baby yet. And yes, she does. Quinn is my friend.”

He finally looked at me. There was something tight in his mouth. Not anger exactly. Frustration? Guilt?

“Do you think it’s wise to tell people inside the office?”

“She’s your lawyer, not mine. And she’s not going to tell anyone. Besides, people are going to notice soon enough if I am pregnant.”

She couldn’t call him Hunter anymore after drawing that line the other day. But calling him Sir after the dream she’d had? She might come right here in his office. Even his arrogant voice was messing with her insides.

“I just don’t want office gossip.”

I crossed my arms. “So, what? Even my friends need to be kept in the dark now? Quinn’s not going to say anything.”

Hunter stood. Slowly. Controlled.

“This arrangement,” he said quietly, “is already complicated enough. I need you focused.”

“Focused,” I echoed. “On what, exactly? The baby? You mean your baby? This isn’t about taking notes in a boardroom. I’m growing a baby… maybe. And I have zero control over whether it takes or not. But don’t think you and Helena get to run my entire life just because I agreed to help you get your heir.”

He winced. Just slightly. Like the words stung.

I hadn’t meant to say it like that. But I didn’t take it back.

“I’m doing my part, Hunter,” I said, my voice sharper now. “Living in your house. Playing along. Pretending. Don’t think you can dictate who I can be friends with or who I can date. Being your surrogate doesn’t give you that right. And I haven’t said a word—”

I stopped myself just in time. I almost said it. Almost told him.

Your marriage is a fucking lie.

Don’t say it. Don’t you dare say what you saw.

“What?” he asked. “You haven’t said a word about what?”

I stared at him.

And in that moment, I wanted to scream the truth. About the affair. About how I saw Helena wrapped around another man like Hunter didn’t even exist.

But I didn’t.

Because the truth would destroy him.

So instead, I said, “Nothing. I’m tired, Hunter. That’s all.”

His voice dropped quieter now. But colder. “Then maybe you should get some rest. You’re not yourself.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “I’m not allowed to be myself. I gave that up the second I said yes to this arrangement. But I will only allow you and Helena to control so much.”

He didn’t argue.

He didn’t stop me when I left his office.

But as I closed the door behind me, I felt it — his eyes on my back. Hunter didn’t like not being in control. And I had just reminded him that he didn’t control me.

I was back at my desk, pretending to focus on my inbox, when Max Castle strolled in like he owned the goddamn floor.

That was Max’s way. Cocky. Charismatic. Stupidly good-looking in that “I just rolled out of bed but make it fashion” kind of way.

“Grace,” he said, grinning. “Looking dangerously hot today.”

I glanced up, smirking. “And you’re still allergic to ties, I see.” His white shirt was unbuttoned just enough to be distracting. Hunter always seemed so buttoned-down. Max was the opposite. Pure sin in human form.

Max grinned wider, sauntering over. “You missed me.”

“Hmm. I miss coffee every morning too. Doesn’t mean I go back for it.”

“Wounded.” He pressed a hand to his heart. “Anyway, I’m here to see the grumpy CEO. But since I’ve got you cornered…”

I arched a brow.

“Dinner. Tonight.”

I blinked. “Are you sure?”

“Always. Come on. You owe me another date.”

I should’ve said no. I should’ve reminded him that I might be pregnant with another man’s baby. That I was in no position to get tangled up with anyone.

But Max made me feel… seen. Wanted. Desired.

So I said, “Fine. Pick me up at seven.”

His grin was slow. Lazy. Pure trouble. “Now we’re talking.”

And just as he turned toward Hunter’s office…

The door opened.

And Hunter stepped out.

His eyes landed on Max. Then slid to me.

Max gave him a cheeky nod. “Hunter. Just charming the pants off your secretary.”

Hunter’s gaze didn’t waver.

“She’s not just my secretary.”

The words were quiet. But they cut through me like a blade.

Max raised an eyebrow. “Interesting.”

Hunter said nothing else. Just turned and walked back into his office, jaw tight.

Max leaned in, whispering, “Tell me that wasn’t territorial.”

I didn’t answer.

Because the heat in my chest wasn’t embarrassment.

It was remembering Hunter’s mouth in my dream. Dominant. Commanding. Wicked.

And I was still burning from it.