Chapter25 Jealousy and Control（Julian）
Julian
I watched her through the security feed, and every muscle in my body tightened as Ryan set down that fucking sandwich on her desk.
That was the second time today.
Coffee this morning, food now. And the way he lingered there, leaning against her cubicle with that easy smile—the way she returned it without any of the wariness she showed others—made something dark and possessive coil in my chest.
Ryan was interested in my wife.
The rational part of my brain acknowledged that Ryan was simply being a decent colleague, that Chloe was professional and appropriate. But rationality had very little to do with the primal fury rising in my chest.
She was mine. The ring on her finger might have been hidden to maintain our cover, but that didn't change the fundamental truth.
My phone creaked in my grip. I forced myself to set it down before I shattered the screen.
Through the feed, I watched Ryan say something that made Chloe hesitate. He was asking her something.
Then her phone buzzed—my text—and her face softened into that small, private smile I'd come to recognize as mine.
Ryan noticed too. I could see the exact moment he clocked her reaction, the way his own smile faltered.
Good. Let him see that someone else had her attention.
But then Ryan said something else, and even without audio, I could read the body language. He was asking her out.
The pen in my hand snapped.
Chloe glanced at her phone again—another text from me—and whatever she saw made her smile widen. She was turning him down.
I could see it in the apologetic tilt of her head, the professional distance she maintained even as she thanked him.
The relief that flooded through me was immediate and intense, but it did nothing to quell the possessive rage burning in my gut. He had asked my wife to dinner.
My intercom buzzed. "Mr. Astor, Ms. Madison is requesting to speak with you about the MedTech analysis timeline."
Perfect timing. "Send her in."
Madison entered with her usual calculated confidence. "Mr. Astor, I wanted to update you on the MedTech due diligence project."
"The one you assigned to Ms. Harrison with a six-hour deadline?" I didn't bother hiding the edge in my voice.
"Yes, sir. I thought it would be an excellent test of her capabilities under pressure."
"Name one analyst in this company who has completed a comprehensive MedTech due diligence of this scope in six hours." I let the silence stretch. "Because I personally oversaw this exact analysis three months ago, and it required five senior analysts working for four days. You assigned her an impossible task."
The color drained from Madison's face. "Mr. Astor, I assure you—"
"Don't." The single word silenced her. "Here's what's going to happen. You will extend Ms. Harrison's deadline to end of business tomorrow. You will provide her with access to relevant team resources. And you will treat her with the same professional courtesy you show every other analyst."
"Of course, Mr. Astor."
"One more thing." I stood, walking to the window. "If I discover you're continuing to sabotage Ms. Harrison in any way, I will personally review every case you've supervised in the past year. I imagine we'll find some interesting decisions."
After she left, I drafted a carefully worded email extending Chloe's deadline. Professional. Appropriate.
But it wasn't enough to satisfy the possessive need burning through me.
I pulled out my phone and sent her a text: You're doing brilliantly. But you don't have to prove anything to Madison. Just do your best work. That's all I need.
Through the security feed, I watched her read the message. Saw the tension ease from her shoulders, that small smile curve her lips again.
Mine. That smile was mine.
Then I picked up the internal line. "Ms. Harrison, please report to my office immediately."
Through the camera, I saw her freeze. Saw her glance toward the executive elevator with a mixture of apprehension and something that looked like anticipation.
The wait felt endless.
Finally, a knock at my door.
"Come in."
Chloe entered, her professional mask firmly in place despite the wariness in those gray-green eyes. "Mr. Astor, you wanted to see me?"
The formality grated. "Lock the door."
Her eyes widened slightly, but she complied.
"Come here."
When she was close enough, I reached out and pulled her into my lap. She gasped, her hands bracing against my chest.
"Julian, what are you—"
"Ryan asked you to dinner." It wasn't a question.
Understanding dawned in her eyes, followed by something that looked suspiciously like amusement. "You were watching."
"I'm always watching." I cupped the back of her neck, forcing her to meet my gaze. "You're my wife, Chloe. Did you really think I wouldn't notice another man pursuing you?"
"He's just a colleague—"
"He wants you." I didn't soften the words. "I saw the way he looked at you."
"I turned him down," she said quietly.
"You should have told him you're married." The possessive edge in my voice was unmistakable.
"We agreed to keep our marriage secret," she reminded me. "I can't exactly announce it to the entire office."
She was right, and I hated it. Hated that she had to hide the ring I'd put on her finger.
"Then we need to establish boundaries another way." I slid my hand down her spine, feeling her shiver. "Starting now."
I kissed her then, deep and possessive, swallowing her gasp. She melted against me, her professional mask shattering as she responded with equal intensity.
When I finally pulled back, we were both breathing hard.
"Tonight," I murmured against her mouth, "when you're healed enough, I'm going to remind you exactly who you're married to."
She shivered. "Julian—"
"But right now, you need to go back to your desk and finish that analysis." I forced myself to release her. "Show Madison and everyone else exactly how brilliant you are."
She stood on shaky legs, smoothing her blazer. "You're impossible."
"I'm possessive." I leaned back in my chair. "There's a difference. Now go. Before I decide to keep you here and fuck professionalism entirely."
She moved toward the door, then paused. "For what it's worth... I was never interested in Ryan. Or anyone else."
"I know." I met her gaze. "But it doesn't make it easier to watch."
After she left, I pulled up the security feed again, watching her return to her desk. Ryan glanced her way, but she didn't acknowledge him.
My phone buzzed with a text from her: You're insane. And I'm still sore, remember?
I smiled, typing back: I remember. That's why tonight is just for reminding.
Her response was immediate: I hate that you can do this to me in the middle of the workday.
Good. Think about it every time Ryan comes near you. Think about who's waiting for you at home.
I watched her read the message, saw the flush creep up her neck.
Perfect.
Let Ryan bring her all the coffee he wanted.
Because at the end of the day, Chloe Harrison was going home to me. She was wearing my ring, sleeping in my bed, and carrying the memory of my hands on her body.
And tonight, I was going to make absolutely certain she never forgot it.