34. Jaclyn

Chapter 34

Jaclyn

ONE WEEK LATER

" T here's… another one, " my assistant, Rose, announces almost singing, placing a single sapphire rose on my desk.

"Are you sure they aren't for you? A rose for Rose?" I chuckle.

"This one has a note." She clears her throat. " For my beautiful wife. Miss you, princess ." Rolling my eyes, she gives me a knowing look, handing it to me. "Last time I checked, I'm single. This one's all yours, Mrs . Blake."

I've successfully avoided Alex since being back in D.C., and with Chris preparing for his big announcement, I've hardly seen him. I've been busying myself, focusing my attention on the upcoming gala. Deep down, I've known these daily roses were from Alex, and this note is the nail in the coffin.

The longer I'm away from him, the more the brain fog diminishes. My desperation for him— my heart ripping from my chest at hearing his name mentioned —has subsided significantly. Since all of my plans have been derailed, I need to make the best of everything, and that includes forgetting about Alex. Even though he's making it incredibly difficult with the flower deliveries.

I offer a sweet smile. "Chris is such a romantic."

Rose clips the step at an angle and places it in the vase on my desk, joining the other five. "If this is going to be a daily ritual, perhaps we should invest in a few more vases?"

"I'm sure he'll give up after a dozen." If it were Chris, he absolutely would. Alex? No. Alex will ensure I consistently have a dozen fresh cornflower roses in a vase.

I have to end this. Now.

The moment Rose leaves my office, I snatch my phone from my desk and type out a text to him.

Thank you for the roses.

But you need to stop.

Alex

Make me.

I choke on my own breath, stifling my laugh. Serves me right for trying to negotiate with a politician—he's a man-child.

I'm serious.

So am I.

As I take a moment to contemplate my next move, another message comes through.

I won't apologize for doting on my wife, Jaclyn.

I'm not yours.

The lie hurts to type, but it has to be this way.

Are you sure?

You're certainly not married to Chris.

I checked, and a replacement marriage license isn't filed. The embers are still burning in that fire pit from the original.

Why are you making this harder for me?

You think it's been a damn cakewalk seeing you with him?

Admit it, Jaclyn, you're mine.

I can't give in to the fantasy. It'll end with my heart shattered on the floor. Tears prick behind my eyes as I type, wishing with all of my being that I didn't have to do this.

I'm married to Chris.

And I'm married to you.

I fall into my office chair, and my heart sinks with me. He's never going to give up .

In no world would Alex and I work. If we did, I'd take the leap and be with the one man who made me feel more in a single glance than any other man has made me feel… ever.

But staying with Chris is the only option, or I'll lose everything. Other than the cheating and the lies, there's no reason I can't be content staying married to him.

We'll get him through eight years, and then it'll be my turn to shine.

The office door opens, and I sit upright, throwing water on my emotions as if they were hot coals. Rose brings in a dozen red roses and sets them on my desk. "It appears Mr. Blake has upped the ante."

No. He hasn't. The Blake brothers are at war, and I'm stuck in the damn middle. "Is there a note with these, too?"

"Yes." She pulls it from the arrangement. "I love you more than red roses." It takes everything in me not to laugh. With a frown, she asks, "What's with the red and blue roses? Are you finally planning on running for office?"

Rose has been with me for three years, and not once has a single flower been delivered to me. She's also one of the only people in the world privy to my political dreams. I can't blame her for wishing along with me.

"No, not me. Chris is planning to announce his presidential candidacy soon. I'm sure it's just a sweet patriotic gesture to get me excited."

"He is?" She purses her lips, deflated, then quickly corrects her tone. "Congratulations! Don't forget us little folk when you're First Lady."

"How could I? You'll be right there with me. I'd be lost without you."

Her smile is wide as she fluffs the flowers. "You're really living the dream, First Lady Jaclyn Blake ."

You mean a nightmare?

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I reply with a light chuckle. My phone vibrates, and I turn it face-down before she can see the text preview. "Would you mind arranging lunch with my husband for tomorrow? He's been working so hard lately. I miss him."

"Of course."

She rushes out of my office, and as the oak door shuts, I quickly check my phone to find the one message I can never reply to.

I love you, Jaclyn.