Tied to You Read Online Free Page A

unaffected by the deal we are about to strike.
    “Yes. And thank you for the phone and laptop, by the way. You didn’t need to,” I say, still feeling a little weirded out by Alex’s generosity. There was no need to have sent over what must be top-of-the-line gadgets; basic models would have certainly done me.
    “Actually I did. I need to know that our conversations are secure. I can’t risk this kind of information getting out. So what can I help you with?” asks Alex.
    “Um, the payoff…the million pounds…I don’t want it!” I blurt, anxiety flooding me.
    For a moment, there is silence. “You don’t want the money?” Alex sounds incredulous.
    “No, look, I appreciate your helping with my mother’s care and looking after me during the year we are married, but there is no need for anything else. Really, I don’t want it. It is not something I will have earned.” I can hear my voice rising, but I try my best to control my emotions.
    “Believe me, you will have earned it by the end of the year,” Alex retorts, his voice hard and firm.
    “Even so, Alex. I don’t feel comfortable with taking that kind of money. Please…I am happy to agree to everything else, but could you take that point out?” I request, and I hate myself when I hear the quaver in my voice. I don’t want to beg, but damn it, I will if I have to. This is just not something I will compromise on.
    With a sigh, Alex acquiesces and promises me that a new version will be sent out within the hour. When I put the phone down, it immediately rings again, and puzzled by the unknown number showing on the screen along with uncertainty of who would actually have this number, I answer with a cautious “Hello?”
    I am beyond surprised when the director of the care facility introduces herself, and my stomach twists into knots as I wait for her to start talking about chucking my mother out. Instead, she starts gushing about the very generous donation that my fiancé has made to the facility. That, combined with the news that my mother has now been moved to a superior room with a view of the garden, already prepaid for the coming year, brings silent tears to my eyes. It would seem that Alex has already been very busy this morning.
    When I finally get off the phone, I am able to break down with the relief that my mother is going to be okay. I sob loudly, letting out all the stress and tension that I have been keeping locked up tight. The crying is cathartic, and by the time my tears start to dry up, I finally feel something I haven’t for a very long time…hope.

Chapter Four
    The background roar of the plane’s engines filters through my dreams. I am lying in my first-class bed with my eyes closed, contemplating the last ten days. In such a short space of time, Alex has turned my world upside down. Once the agreement was signed, he insisted I give notice on my flat, as well as my supplementary jobs, and move into his townhouse in Chelsea. I managed to stall—though in hindsight I really wonder why—so now my meagre possessions are being moved by his housekeeper while I am flying and I feel guilty that someone is being forced to deal with my mess.
    My boss, Charles, was delighted with the manuscript, though I never let him know what lengths it took to get it for him. He wouldn’t have been interested anyway! Instead, I requested the holiday leave I am entitled to and let him know that I would be coming back from Australia married. I almost laughed at the look of surprise on his face when I told him, but managed to stay cool and professional.
    I keep my eyes closed and continue to pretend that I am asleep. I can hear the soft tapping as Alex continues to work on his laptop, something he has done non-stop since we boarded the plane in Singapore. We have barely spoken, beyond the arrangements to get us to Australia, and even then most of that was done through his secretary. I made the first leg of the journey alone as Alex had already flown out to do