Chapter 174

Chapter 174
Olivia's POV

The silence stretched longer this time. Just when I thought he wouldn't answer, Maxwell spoke, his voice measured.

"Our agreement has approximately fourteen months remaining. If you wish to keep Avery, I'll gradually reduce my time with him so the transition will be easier."

His words hit me like a physical blow. I'd never considered that possibility.

"And if I don't want to keep him?" I asked, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "By your logic, I should start distancing myself now?"

Maxwell's expression never changed, and I suddenly hated that unflappable composure I once admired.

"As I've said before," he replied evenly, "if you want Avery, I won't contest it."

The implication was clear: if I wanted our son, he would step aside, providing financial support but otherwise removing himself from the picture. If I didn't, he would take Avery and I would be the one to disappear.

What he clearly hadn't considered—not even for a moment—was the possibility that we might continue parenting together, contract or not.

I felt something tighten in my throat, a strange ache spreading through my chest.

Maxwell's eyes darkened slightly, and his fingers curled at his sides—a movement so subtle I almost missed it. Then he looked away.

"The doctor mentioned you're low on vitamin C," he said, turning toward the kitchen. "I'll bring you some fruit."

As soon as he left, I fled upstairs, unable to bear another minute of this conversation.

I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, thinking about contracts and marriages and how blurry the lines had become. If Maxwell had been cold and distant after Avery's birth, perhaps I wouldn't be questioning everything now. I wouldn't be wondering if fifteen months from now, I'd be ready to walk away from this arrangement.

But he hadn't been cold. He'd been attentive, considerate—caring in his own reserved way. And somewhere along the line, that complicated everything.

Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones still lingering in my system. Maybe it was the lonely nights during his business trip. Or maybe it was the realization that I'd started to imagine a future different from the one outlined in our contract.

Whatever the reason, I found myself asking a question I'd never anticipated:

What if I didn't want this marriage to end?

Josie's POV

After nearly two weeks of vacation, I felt completely renewed. Dylan and I had spent every moment together, strengthening our bond in ways I hadn't anticipated. The private island he'd whisked me away to had been paradise—white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and absolutely no lab equipment in sight. My skin had taken on a golden glow, and the constant tension that usually resided between my shoulder blades had disappeared entirely.

Saturday morning found us back in New York, with two full days to readjust before plunging back into our regular lives. I planned to use this time to catch up on emails, review my research notes, and visit Elliot, who still had no idea I was back in the country.

When I woke on Sunday morning, Dylan had already left for the office—some emergency meeting he couldn't reschedule. I didn't mind. After two weeks of constant togetherness, a few hours apart felt strangely refreshing. I showered quickly, threw on a casual sundress that showcased my new tan, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Good morning, Mrs. Brooks," William greeted me, setting a plate of avocado toast in front of me. "Will you be joining Mr. Brooks at the office today?"

I shook my head, taking a sip of fresh orange juice. "I thought I'd surprise my brother at Gray Industries. He doesn't know we're back yet."

William nodded approvingly. "I'm sure Mr. Gray will be pleased to see you."

An hour later, my car pulled up in front of the gleaming glass tower that housed Gray Industries. I smiled at the security guard who recognized me immediately and waved me through without requiring my ID badge.

As I stepped off the elevator into the main lobby, I nearly collided with Michael, Elliot's executive assistant.

"Mrs. Brooks?" Michael blinked rapidly, clearly surprised to see me. "You're back in New York? When did you return?"

Before I could answer, he was already reaching for his phone. "Let me just inform Mr. Gray that you're—"

"No, don't," I said quickly, placing my hand over his phone. "I want to surprise him. Is he in his office?"

Michael hesitated, then nodded. "He just finished a meeting about thirty minutes ago. He should be free now."

"Perfect," I smiled. "I'll just head up."

I took the private elevator to the top floor, feeling a flutter of excitement at seeing my brother again. Despite our occasional disagreements, Elliot had always been my rock, especially after our parents died. Two weeks without talking to him felt strangely long.

The hallway leading to his office was quiet, with just the soft hum of air conditioning breaking the silence. His door was slightly ajar, which wasn't unusual. Elliot often kept it that way when he was alone, claiming it made the massive office feel less isolating.

Without thinking twice—I'd barged into his office hundreds of times before—I pushed the door open wider and stepped inside.

"Elliot, I'm ba—"

The words died in my throat as my eyes registered the scene before me. Elliot was standing behind his desk, his arms wrapped around a woman who was pressed against him. Her head was tilted back, her long dark hair cascading down her back. It took me a split second to recognize Natalie Quinn.

I froze, my hand still on the doorknob, my mouth hanging open in shock. Time seemed to suspend as my brain scrambled to process what I was seeing.

"I—I'm so sorry," I stammered, raising my free hand to shield my eyes. "Pretend I'm not here. Just... continue whatever you were... um..."

Before either of them could respond, I spun around, nearly tripping over my own feet in my haste. Remembering the door at the last second, I reached back and pulled it firmly shut behind me, the solid thunk of the latch engaging providing a definitive end to the most awkward moment of my adult life.

Leaning against the wall outside his office, I felt heat rushing to my face. Had I really just walked in on my brother and Natalie Quinn in an intimate moment? The woman had been pursuing him for weeks, but Elliot had always maintained their relationship was strictly professional.

Clearly, things had progressed.

Not knowing whether to wait or flee, I stood frozen in the hallway, mortification washing over me in waves.