Page 96 of Money Reigns

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Like he’s always been there.

At night, I open the pantry and spot the bag, barbecue chips.

The exact kind. The exact brand.

My weakness.

I smile before I can stop myself, curl up on the couch, tear open the bag, and dial his number.

“How did you know I love these?” I ask, licking the flavor from my fingers.

He doesn’t miss a beat. “I know everything about you, Olivia Baker.”

I freeze.

Not sure whether to be flattered or afraid.

But all I ask is, “Why?”

“Because I wanted to,” he says. “So I learned.”

Just like that.

No apology.

No explanation.

Just… him.

We talk for hours.

About nothing.

About everything.

And at some point, I fall asleep with the phone still pressed to my ear.

His voice the last thing I hear.

Thursday

I don’t flinch when his hand grazes mine as he passes a report across the table.

I don’t question the way he watches me during meetings, like he’s memorizing my posture.

Every blink. Every shift. Every line of my mouth.

I don’t even protest when he adjusts the strap of my blouse and says—

“You need to look polished if you’re going to represent me.”

Because that’s what I am now, isn’t it?

His assistant

His possession.

His.