Page 143 of The Exception

“I know. Which is why it’s time for me to make a change.” He took a deep breath then said, “I’m stepping down as CEO.”

“What?” I jerked my head back. “You can’t.” I lifted my hands to my mouth. “Why would you do that? You can’t do that.”

“I can.” He tucked my hair behind my ear. “And I am. I’ve already asked Pierce to draw up the papers to name Jasper as CEO.”

“But, but—” I sputtered. Was he serious? He couldn’t be serious.

This wasn’t what he wanted. This wasn’t what I wanted—him to give up the thing he held most dear.

He cupped my cheek. “For years, I adopted a certain persona because that’s what I thought I had to do to survive. But loving you has made me remember who I am and that I’m worthy of so much more than just surviving.”

I placed my hand over his heart, warmed by his admission. His revelation. “You are.”

“And your insistence on communication, on vulnerability?—”

“Emphasis,” I teased.

“Mm. You have been pretty persistent.” He gave me a knowing look.

“Persuasive.”I bit back a smile, loving our banter.

“That’s true.” The corner of his mouth tilted upward. “What I’m trying to say is that working with you on the château, spending more time with my family, has made me realize what I want for the future. And as much as I’ve loved running the Huxley brand, I no longer want to feel shackled to the past. My grandparents wouldn’t have wanted that for me either.”

“Then what do you want?” I asked, scarcely able to breathe.

The idea of Graham stepping down as the CEO of Huxley was unthinkable.

“First step. We tear up our contract. The trust is fully funded, and I find that I no longer require a wife to achieve my goals.”

My heart dropped.

“And while I may notneeda wife, I want you in my life. On your terms. Because you want to be there, not because you’re legally obligated to be at my side.”

I laughed, relief and happiness washing over me. “Of course I want to be in your life. I love you.”

But I also didn’t want him to do something he’d later regret. I didn’t want him to make such a drastic change that he’d come to resent me for.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “This brand, your grandparents’ company, is your life. Your everything.”

He shook his head, peering down at me with so much love and affection I felt as if my heart might burst. “Youare my everything.”

“And you’re mine.”

I grasped his shirt, pulling his lips down to mine. With our mouths pressed together, I felt whole. I felt seen and loved.

“I love you, and I will support whatever you decide,” I said. “But I don’t want you to give up your company for me.”

“That’s just it,” he said, forehead pressed to mine. “It’s not for you. Or at least, not just for you. It’s for me. It’s for my family. It’s for the brand.”

I frowned. “I’m not sure I understand.” In my mind, there was no one better suited to run the Huxley Grand. No one more dedicated.

Not that Jasper wasn’t qualified or couldn’t do a good job. But he wasn’t Graham. And I knew how much the company and his grandparents’ legacy meant to my husband. If anyone understood the lengths he was willing to go to to protect it, it was me. The woman who’d entered into a marriage of convenience to help him do just that.

“The situation with the board is causing unnecessary stress to everyone. It’s part of why Sloan ended up in the hospital.”

I squeezed his bicep, silently lending my support. My encouragement.

“If Jasper takes over as CEO, it ushers in an era of new leadership. You know Jasper—he can make anyone fall for him. He will bring a warmth and playfulness to the role that’s been missing. And, if I’m right, I think the board will be less focused on me gaining the additional ten percent of the shares because I would no longer be in control.”

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