Ch.95

Ch.95
Travis POV

The moment I stepped into the restaurant and saw Ayanna in another man's arms, something inside me snapped. I wasn't the kind of man who got jealous easily, but seeing Henry holding her so tight? That was a different story.

I folded my arms, keeping my temper calm, but my eyes locked onto his. "Interesting way to greet a married woman, don't you think?"

Henry turned around slowly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh? I didn't realize hugs were illegal now. Maybe I should have asked for a permission slip first."

I clenched my jaw, barely holding back the urge to wipe that smug look off his face.

Ayanna sighed. "Can we not do this?"

I smirked. "Just making sure boundaries are clear. Some people have a habit of overstepping."

Henry chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, don't worry. I know my place." He looked me over, his gaze filled with amusement. "But judging from your reaction, do you?"

I let out a low laugh, though my fists were itching to hit something. "Oh, I know exactly where I stand-with my wife."

Henry raised a brow like he was impressed. "Ah, your wife. Right. Must be nice to have that kind of certainty. Not everyone is so lucky in relationships."

Ayanna shot him a glare. "Henry..."

But he ignored her, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Don't take it so personally, Travis. I was just being friendly. Unless, of course, you think there's something more to it?"

My eyes darkened. "I don't think-I know exactly what I see. And what I see is another man getting too comfortable with my wife."

Henry shrugged. "Relax, man. It was just a hug. If that's enough to shake your confidence, maybe you should be asking yourself why."

Ayanna stepped between us before things could escalate. "Okay, that's enough! Can we not turn a simple hug into a full-blown war?"

I exhaled, running a hand through my hair. "Fine. As long as he remembers who he's dealing with."

Henry smirked, clearly enjoying every second of this. "Oh, I never forget."

Ayanna groaned and grabbed my arm. "We're leaving. Now."

Henry gave her a wink. "See you around, Ayanna."

I didn't respond, but I tightened my grip on her waist. To make that declaration that he shouldn't touch what's mine.

The moment we stepped into our room, I turned to her. "Why did you let Henry hug you?"

She raised a brow. "It's just common courtesy, nothing serious. Wait... do you doubt me?"

I sighed. "No, it's not that. I just didn't like seeing another man hugging my wife, that's all."

She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

That should have been enough to calm me, but my mind was still on everything that had happened.

Then she pulled back slightly. "Where were you all morning? I was looking everywhere for you. You even left your phone behind. At least a simple message would have been nice."

I sighed, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, Aya. I got a call and rushed out in a hurry. I forgot my phone."

Her brows furrowed. "And what was so urgent?"

"There was an issue with a mall-embezzlement. I needed to sort it out quickly and get back to you."

Her frown deepened. "A mall? But you don't own one... Did you buy or build one?"

I hesitated. "Huh?"

"You heard me. Did you buy or build a mall? Because last I checked, you didn't have one."

I exhaled, knowing I couldn't keep this from her any longer. "Ayanna, you know I'd never lie to you or do anything to hurt you, right?"

She nodded slowly. "Of course, but you still haven't answered my question."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I got the mall from Henry a while back."

Her eyes narrowed. "You got it? As in, you bought it?"

"No... he gave it to me."

She blinked. "He gave you a mall?" Then her expression changed as realization hit her. "Wait... you actually went through with the bet?"

I looked away for a moment before forcing myself to meet her gaze.

She scoffed. "So, the first time you convinced me about this contract marriage, it was all because of a stupid bet?"

"No! It wasn't like that," I said quickly, my voice low. "I wanted my father's property-that was my goal. But Henry gave me the company the moment I married you publicly, thinking I had won the bet."

She just stared at me, disbelief written all over her face. "And you didn't think to mention that to me? Not even once?"

I could see the hurt in her eyes, and it made my chest tighten.

She looked shaken, like she needed to sit down just to process everything.

Then she said my name softly. "Travis..."

I braced myself, unsure of what she's about, knowing her temper she could even file for a divorce!.

"I left that party because I heard both of you say... that you and Henry had placed a bet on who would get me. That made me angry-so angry that I walked away. But no matter how much I tried to deny it, I realized I was still drawn to you."

She took a deep breath, before speaking up again. "But I didn't even have time to process my feelings before you started treating me like I was nothing. Then, you forced me into this contract marriage. I was helpless, Travis. Every penny I made as an escort went into paying off my father's debt, covering Irene's school fees, my mom's treatment, and Andrew's tuition. Andrew wanted to work part-time, but I didn't let him because I needed someone close to my mom and Irene. She was just a little child."

She clenched her hands together, the pain was clearly evident I couldn't imagine what she went through.

I swallowed hard as she continued.

"The first time the debt collectors came knocking, they tried to throw us out. Irene was barely a year old. If they had kicked us out, would I have had to raise my child on the streets? What about my mom's health? It was already deteriorating. I begged them for a week, promising I'd find a way to pay-at least part of it."

She shook her head, her voice laced with old wounds. "That's when I started looking for a job. I went to a club, hoping to find something, and that's where Tyler, my boss at the agency, saw me. He offered me a job as an escort, but the pay wasn't nearly enough. There was a rich man who wanted someone younger, and I happened to be the youngest. He said all I had to do was accompany him to a gathering for three days."

I felt my hands curl into fists as she spoke.

She exhaled sharply. "Three days later, I arrived at the venue, but it wasn't a party like I expected. It was a private resort with just a few of his friends. After they ate and drank, I was supposed to go to his room. That's when he offered me a deal-he wanted me to sleep with him in exchange for extra money. If Tyler found out, he'd take a percentage, so the client wanted it kept between us. When he told me the amount... it was enough to cover half of my father's debt. So, I agreed."

She looked at me, her gaze filled with vulnerability. "The reason I'm telling you this is because I don't want any more secrets between us. That's what ruined our relationship before, and I don't want it to happen again. Promise me you're not hiding anything from me?"

I felt my throat tighten.

"I promise, Aya. I'm not." My voice was inaudible.

She searched my face, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Are you sure?"

I hesitated for a second.

"I'm sure," I finally said.

But as she held my gaze, I wondered if she suspected that I wasn't telling her everything.