Chapter 10
Kathleen froze for a second before Judy elaborated, “You two are married. You can’t keep living apart forever. I was going to ask you both to move back to Vance residence, but I figured you young people wouldn’t want to live with us old folks. So I dropped it.
“You know what I’ve always hoped for. And you know how much this means to me. I hope you’ll get pregnant with Shawn’s child soon.”
Judy had finally gotten to the point.
Kathleen already knew that. That was why she had agreed to this arrangement in the first place. “Judy, I want that too. But Shawn…” She trailed off, knowing that Judy would understand.
“Don’t worry about him. The process doesn’t matter, as long as the outcome is right.”
Kathleen could feel how badly Judy wanted a grandchild, likely because Shawn didn’t have much time left.
Even if she was willing, he had to be in on it as well. Between the two of them, he was the one more likely to refuse, though.
“No matter what else, you’re moving in with him today. That’s settled,” Judy responded decisively.
Kathleen wanted to refuse. Living with Shawn would be like a battlefield every day.
“Judy, I’m fine with it. I’m just not sure if Shawn…”
“You don’t need to worry about him. I’ll talk to him. No matter what, you’re his wife. A husband and wife should live together.” Judy’s tone was gentle yet firm.
Hearing that, Kathleen said nothing more.
Even if Shawn let her stay now, he would’ve kicked her out eventually. There was no way he would want to live under the same roof as her.
Standing in Shawn’s living room, Kathleen felt completely out of place, as if she’d stumbled into someone else’s home.
“Kat is your wife. Start acting like a husband.” That was all Judy said before turning and leaving.
Kathleen was left facing him alone. The air between them was heavy with awkwardness.
With a cigarette between his lips, Shawn leaned against the dining table, spinning a sleek metal lighter in his hand. His dark eyes were cold and sharp as they fixed on her.
The way he looked at her made her want to curl her toes in embarrassment.
“You’ve got some nerve.” He lit his cigarette, took a slow drag, and gave her a sideways glance. “What a smart move to get cozy with my mom.”
His tone dripped with sarcasm. Kathleen had no words to refute it.
In his eyes, she was just a woman trying to climb the social ladder by getting pregnant with his child, hoping to become a wealthy wife.
She forced a smile. “I can leave if you don’t want me here.”
“No need.” Shawn exhaled a thin stream of smoke that curled around his sharp features.
She blinked, thinking she’d misheard.
He rested his hands on the edge of the table and looked at her, adding, “You went through all this to get close to me. Kicking you out won’t change anything. If you’re going to live here, you’ll have to follow my rules.”
Kathleen wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but she still replied, “Go ahead.”
“Be home before 10:00 pm every night. I don’t want to hear any noise late at night.”
A curfew? Kathleen frowned.
Still, her life was simple. She didn’t have many friends or social plans, so it wouldn’t be hard.
“Alright. Anything else?” she asked.
Shawn lifted his eyes slightly, his gaze indifferent. “In this house, you’ll do what a wife is supposed to do.”
A thought crossed her mind. She smiled faintly, inquiring, “Does that include having your child?”
His hand jerked. Ash from his cigarette dropped onto the table.
Seeing that, Kathleen chuckled.
“In your dreams,” he snapped, stubbing out his cigarette.
Her smile remained radiant. “Yeah, I guess.”
Her answer caused Shawn to frown before she continued, albeit without her smile, “So, I’ll stay, then.”
“Spare me the fake affection,” Shawn said bluntly. “Your feigned admiration is disgusting.”
Kathleen struggled for a moment before replying, “Why can’t it be real?”
Shawn scoffed. “What would you admire me for?”
“You’re handsome and have a great build. That’s enough for someone to like you.”
“Shallow.”
Kathleen said nothing as she was indeed superficial.
But most people started that way, didn’t they? And purely from a visual standpoint, it was far too easy to be attracted to Shawn.
She just had a thing for good-looking people.
…
Shawn sat in a private room at the club, slowly swirling a glass of liquor in his hand. A dark mood hung over him.
“I can’t believe you actually let her into your life. Guess she’s not ordinary.”
Across from him, a man in a tailored waistcoat adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses. With refined features and smiling eyes, Jeremy Morrow looked cultured and gentle.
Jeremy had heard about Shawn’s marriage not long after he went abroad. If not for being swamped with work, he would’ve flown back immediately to see what kind of woman could pull that off.
When he was back, he heard that she was living under Shawn’s roof with his consent. He’d come straight from the airport without even changing clothes to see Shawn.
“Do you and Colin keep in touch?” Shawn’s tone was light but carried unmistakable displeasure.
Jeremy took his drink and downed it in one go. “I’m just concerned about you.”
He could only talk to Colin since gossip was never Shawn’s thing.
Shawn didn’t even bother responding. Just thinking about having someone else at home made his frown deepen.
“Just don’t fall for her.” Jeremy poured himself another drink, his tone light and teasing.
Shawn shot him a look. “You’re insane.”
Jeremy shrugged. “A woman is moving in to live with you. It’s only a matter of time before she moves into your heart.”
“Shut up if you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Shawn snapped.
Jeremy grinned. “Just because I stop talking doesn’t mean it won’t happen.”
Shawn shot him a sharp glare. Jeremy chuckled and took another sip.
…
Meanwhile, Chelsey was frowning behind her face mask on the other end of a video call. She was clearly worried as she warned, “Don’t fall for him.”
Kathleen sat at the dining table, eating pasta. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
“You’re living together now.” Chelsey fretted. “That’s how things spiral out of control.”
“Seriously, I won’t.” Kathleen took a bite of her pasta. “I’ve tried before. I sat on his lap, and he just pushed me away. He wouldn’t lose control even if I stood naked in front of him.”
She had no doubt about that.
Shawn was all talk. When it came to action, he couldn’t follow through.
Chelsey might not be so sure about other women. However, when it came to Kathleen, she didn’t even have to take her clothes off. Any normal man sharing a room with her would lose his self-control.
“Honestly, if anything does happen, I’ll lose my self-control first.”
She took the last bite of her pasta and put down her utensils.
“He’s just really hot, and his body is great. Having a baby with him wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Chelsey burst out laughing. “Then go for it.”
Kathleen grabbed a napkin and wiped her mouth. “I might just try once he’s home.”
A noise came from the entryway. She quickly ended the call with Chelsey.
It was better to keep herself in check around Shawn.
Shawn didn’t even look at her. He took off his coat like she didn’t exist, and walked inside.
He hung his coat on the rack. He then rolled up his sleeves, took off his watch, and went into the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water.
He was standing right behind her as he drank.
He’d actually let Kathleen move in, a fake scheming woman who was legally his wife.
After downing the water in irritation, Shawn set the glass down and went straight into the bedroom.
“Shawn,” she called out.
He paused for a second before turning back.
Kathleen tilted her head slightly and flashed a bright smile. “Should we be sleeping in the same bed tonight?”
