Page 76 of Vows In Corruption

When I brought it up to him, he brushed it off and acted like it wasn’t that big of a deal.

It was very much a big deal.

This was one million dollars, but even when I threaten to send it back or to not even touch it until two years from now, he just rolled his eyes and walked away.

So now, I’m staring at my bank account as it shows more zeroes than I know what to do with, debating on whether it should stay in my bank account for the next two years or if I should just use it for what I need it for now.

The logical decision would be the latter, that way I can walk away from everything that terrifies me, but if I send the money all in one shot, its going to seem suspicions. To the person in the receiving end, it’s going to seem like I either came into money or I have more money to give, and they could come and ask for more.

I know I could send the money the same way I’ve been sending it for the last five years, and just continue until I reach the designated amount, but I want to be done with this. I want both Charlie and I to be safe and have this swinging over my head.

Sending the money all together is the way to go. I just have to find the courage to do it. This is a lot of money to be playing with.

My finger hoovers over the transfer button for a solid minute, trying to talk myself into making the transfer, but no matter what pep talk I give myself, I can’t seem to push it.

“Just do it.” I out loud, but even voicing the words isn’t help.

“What are you trying to talk yourself into doing this time?” The question rings out, and much like the first time I hear the voice, I jump and let out a yelp.

With my hand on my chest, I turn to find Bennett standing in the doorway that separates the closet and my bedroom.

In the the week that we’ve been married, this has start to become a thing. I’ll get ready for the day and forget to close the closet door behind me, which prompts Bennett to check in on me every morning as he is tying his tie or sliding on his belt.

Who am I kidding? I don’t forget to close the door. After the I left it open the morning after our wedding and caught a glimpse of a shirtless Bennett, I’ve kept the door open every morning.

Today, though, today I should have closed it if didn’t want him to ask questions.

“Stop doing that.” I let out after catching my breath.

A lazy smile forms on his face. That smile might have made its way to the top of my list.

“Sorry. You just looked a little stressed.” He slides his belt through the last loop and for a second I loose my train of thought.

I quickly regain it, though and shut my laptop before he comes over here and see what I was doing.

“I-I was just checking your schedule and making sure that everything is in line for today.” I stutter a few of my words, but I’m able to get the rest out without problem.

But still, Bennett notices. “You’re checking my schedule before we even get in the car.”

Another habit that has sprung this week, us getting ready for our day at the office on our drive to work.

“It’s an important day, I wanted to make sure that everything was in line.”

I feel a bead of sweat forming at my temple and threatening to fall. Lying to your husband makes it feel like you’re in the hot spot.

At the very least, I’m not complexity lying through my teeth. Today is an important day, since the board is voting on whether to name Bennett CEO or not, so checking the schedule makes sense.

“Right.” Bennett says, his eyebrows bunching up in the process. He still doesn’t believe me, but he takes it nonetheless.

When he turns to walk away, I let out a sigh of relief. I know that shouldn’t be lying to Bennett and that I should tell him what I would be using the money gave me for, but I’m not completely ready for that. Maybe one day I will be but not today.

“Elizabeth,” Bennett calls out, bringing my attention back to him.

“Yes?”

He takes a second before he says anything. “If anything was wrong, you’d tell me. Right?”

His words take me by surprise. Since the wedding we’ve both have been mostly keeping to ourselves. Not really acting like a couple while we are home unless Drake or a house worker is in the room. The moments that we have acted like a couple have been far and few. I didn’t think that were at a place yet where Bennett would ask me a question like this or me ask of him. At work, sure. But at home, I didn’t even think it was a possibility. Not yet.

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