Page 72 of The Exception

He hesitated, tugging on his collar. “Yes.”

I sighed. What good was Graham’s word when he’d already broken it once before? “I’m not sure I can trust you.”

“Then think about the château. Remember what’s at stake.”

“No. That’s not good enough.” As much as I loved the château, I said, “Nothing is worth more than my self-respect. And you promised—” I fought the urge to rage, to stomp my feet, to do…something. “You swore that we would be partners. You even said so in your wedding vows.”

He dropped his head to his chest. Then he took a breath, straightened, and stepped closer. “I’m sorry.” My expression must have betrayed my skepticism because he took my hands in his. “I am.”

“I’ve always believed you were a man of your word. Honorable. Ethical. But in light of recent events, I’m questioning everything I thought I knew about you.”

“Come on, Lil.” He gave my hands a squeeze. “You know me. You do.”

“I’m beginning to wonder if you actually let anyone see the real you. You keep secrets from your family, hold them at a distance.”

“It’s for their?—”

“Own good. Right.” I swallowed. “I can see that you believe that, but that’s not your decision to make. Only Sloan can decide what’s best for her. Only Nate can decide what’s best for him. OnlyIcan decide what’s best for me.”

Perhaps sensing I was on the edge, he asked, “And what is best for you?” I heard the hesitancy in his tone.

I inhaled slowly. It was so tempting to walk away. But then what would’ve been the point of it all? I wanted to save the château, and I truly believed Graham wanted to save the Huxley brand.

Before I could answer, he asked, “Do you realize how many people are relying on me?”

“Over 150,000.”

“One hundred and seventy-five thousand people. One hundred and seventy-fivethousand.”

“That’s a huge responsibility. I can only imagine the burden you feel, and I know you take their welfare seriously.”

“It is. And then there’s my family. We’ve been through a lot. All we have is one another. And I’m the one they look to when they have a problem or need reassurance.”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Because I’m the strong, steady one. And they know I will do anything in my power to fix it.” I didn’t think that was the entire reason, but I didn’t tell him that. This wasn’t about what I’d observed; it was about what Graham believed.

“And who gives you strength? Who fixes your problems?”

He lifted a shoulder, trying to brush it off as if it didn’t matter. But there was a sadness in his eyes, an air of loneliness that clung to him like a lion watching over his pride. Protective but alone.

And in that moment, I felt sorry for him. I was still angry, but I could also feel empathy.

I softened, but my anger still simmered beneath the surface. “How can you expect them to when you don’t share anything with them? A relationship is a two-way street. You can’t expect others to be open and vulnerable if you’re closed off and secretive.”

“I’m—” He dropped his head to his chest. “It’s not like I want to be this way. I think—” He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “I think I just needed this to work so badly that I was scared to fuck it up. And ironically, I still ended up fucking things up.”

I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him more vulnerable. And while I knew he was sincere, I also worried it was another attempt to manipulate me.

I felt my shoulders relax. Maybe this whole situation wasn’t as hopeless as I’d feared.

“Then do something about it.”

“Like what?” he asked, genuinely confused.

“Confide in your family. In me. Or, at the very least, stop avoiding me.” When he opened his mouth to protest, I held up my hand. “You asked for my help. And if you want everyone to believe I’m your wife, you’re going to have to start acting like a husband.”

“Iam.” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I take care of you, provide for you.”

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