CHAPTER 75: MY MARK

"It’s just the heat, nothing more," she lied, her eyes darting everywhere but his. His smirk deepened, and it only made her more uncomfortable.

"Really? I suppose I will have to call in a repairman to fix the AC then, it was working perfectly until you walked in. What a shame," Roman said dramatically, his gaze locked on her, waiting for her to look up so he could catch that blush on her face again.

Patricia nodded, chuckling nervously, but quickly noticed the silence between them. She fell for it, looking up, her gaze met his, intense and curious, freezing her in place. Like someone under a spell, she remained locked in, eyes flickering between his as she tried to decipher what was going through his mind. The longer she looked, the more she noticed the beauty of his eyes, how strikingly obsidian they were. They were so clear that she could see her own reflection in them, which stirred something in her she couldn’t quite name.

It felt as though he could see through her, as if he understood her pain. But could she really trust him? What if she fell for him completely, and he changed? What if he became like her father, abandoning her after she bore his child, only to bring another woman into the picture? Could she endure the same fate as her mother? She had always resented her mother for not fighting for her place in her father’s home. Now, imagine becoming exactly like the woman she despised most in the world. She would rather die than live like that, it would be even worse.

Suddenly overcome with new thoughts, she looked away sharply and asked, "You still haven’t told me why you called me in, Dr. Roman." Her tone was formal, which took Roman aback. He had thought he was finally earning her trust, but now it was clear, her wounds ran deeper than she let on. Still, he couldn’t blame her. After all, seeing what her mother endured, she probably hated her for putting up with it.

"I called you in because I want you to be my official assistant in the operating room. I needed you to observe the process. As a surgeon, you have to know every detail about the patient before surgery," he explained, offering the professional reason she needed. She nodded, realizing it was valid. She hadn’t even considered that possibility, too distracted by irrational worries about a man who didn’t even love her touching another woman.

"I would like to take my leave now, Dr. Roman," she said, waiting for him to let her go from his embrace.

"Tell me...what can I do to make you feel at ease? If you don’t want me touching any female patients, say the word. I will do whatever you ask," he said suddenly.

She raised her head, staring at him like he had lost his mind. She couldn’t believe those words had just come from his mouth. What sort of game was he playing now?

Deciding to play along, she dabbed at her lips and said coolly, "Have you forgotten we are in a marriage contract, Dr. Roman? We are set to divorce in two weeks. There’s no need for any of this, so long as we stick to the deal." She flashed him a polite, hollow smile.

"I know," he replied, his voice low and unwavering, "but I am asking what you want. I will do it, no matter what it is."

His seriousness made her scoff inwardly. He really was a better actor than most professionals.

"Then I want you to do the one thing we agreed on. Request the divorce papers. They should be ready before the two weeks are up. Can you do that for me?" She challenged, locking eyes with him, the tension between them taut and electric. Roman scanned her face, searching, was she serious, or speaking from a place of fear?

"I can give you everything in this world, Pat, everything except those papers. I would rather you hate me forever than let you walk away," he said, voice heavy with finality.

She frowned, anger flashing in her eyes. "Then why bother asking me what I want if you have no intention of granting it?" She snapped, now towering over him emotionally.

"I can give you anything... except the freedom to leave me," he said again, softer this time, and she scoffed, this time out loud.

"Why? There’s no love between us. No loyalty. What does it matter whether we are married or not? You have Michelle. Why insist on dragging this out?" She fired, voice rising with every word, frustration bubbling over.

He didn’t respond. Just stared. Blankly. That infuriating silence, always his answer when she asked the one question that mattered.

Did he love her?

Or was he just too afraid to admit he didn’t?

"My words could rise as high as the tallest mountain," he said quietly, "But it’s my actions that will answer the questions you keep burying in your heart." And added.

Before she could process it, Roman spun her around and lifted her onto his desk, stepping in close, capturing her lips with his. One hand gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him, while the other cradled the back of her head, deepening the kiss with maddening intensity. Her lips, already parted in surprise, surrendered to him too easily.

She told herself to resist. This meant nothing. A temporary illusion meant to cloud her judgment. But how could her mind fight what her heart had been quietly craving?

"Pat..." he murmured against her lips, voice shaking slightly. "You won’t understand now but you will. Listen to my actions and not my words. They mean nothing if my actions don’t follow through."

He withdrew slightly, speaking into her mouth, then nuzzled her nose with his, igniting a spark that rippled through her body. Then, slowly, he brushed his face along hers, like he was claiming her with every breath. Her eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting slightly again, helpless in the heat of the moment.

She swallowed hard, trembling, waiting for him to kiss her again, terrified that if he did, she would never want him to stop.

Just as he tilted her head back and leaned in to claim her lips again, the door suddenly flew open. Patricia’s eyes widened in shock, her attention snapping toward the intruder.

She didn’t know what kind of energy surged through her in that moment, but instinct took over. She shoved him hard and jumped down from the table, quickly putting space between them. Her head dropped, trying to mask the embarrassment storming her face.

"Oh... I am so sorry for interrupting. I can come back later," the secretary said, her hands frozen midair in surprise. She looked genuinely startled but when Patricia met her gaze, something shifted. That wasn’t just a surprised look. There was something else. Disappointment? Hurt? Betrayal? But... Why?

She was just his secretary... right? Why would she look at her that way, unless...

"No. What do you want, Beatrice?" Roman asked, slipping his hands casually into his pockets, completely unbothered.

"You weren’t answering the telephone, and a patient is waiting to see you," she replied, stepping closer. Her eyes darted around the room, scanning for the telephone. Confusion twisted her expression when she couldn’t locate it.

"The patient was uncomfortable with the constant ringing," Roman explained, gesturing toward the mini sitting area where the unplugged telephone sat. "So I cut it off."

"Oh, I see. I will have another one ordered," she said. But then her gaze returned to Patricia, who stood awkwardly, barely breathing. Beatrice seemed like someone who wouldn’t gossip, but Patricia could recognize affection when she saw it. And it was there, clear as day.

So this was her new reality, watching her supposed husband be admired by every woman he encountered. And could she blame them? Of course not. He never introduced her to anyone outside his circle of close family friends. To the world, she was no one. Worse, she was the woman who would be labeled a seductress if rumors ever spread. If they hadn’t already.

"You can leave. Let the patient in after a few minutes," Roman said, noticing where Beatrice’s eyes had landed. She gave a forced smile before turning and exiting the room.

"I will have her fired. You don’t need to worry about her," Roman said casually once the door closed.

Patricia’s brows drew together in disapproval. "There’s no reason to ruin someone’s life because of me. No one even knows we are married. You can’t fault them for reacting the way they do."

He smiled at that, infuriatingly so, and her irritation swelled.

"I like that you acknowledge we are married, even if it’s only because of the situation," he said, clearly amused.

She blinked, caught off guard. Was that seriously what he chose to focus on?

"I would like to take my leave now, Dr. Roman," she said, her voice tight, breath pushing past her lips in frustration.

"Wait, I have something to give you." His words made her pause, raising one skeptical eyebrow.

He stepped toward her slowly, halting just before reaching her. Then, without warning, he leaned in and seized her lips in another kiss. Her eyes flew open wide, and she shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge.

Roman only smirked. Then, with deliberate intention, he bit her lip before pulling away.

"That’s my mark on you," he said. "It should scare the prey off."