Chapter 2

**Jane**

When did I genuinely start falling for him so deeply? It was that night four years ago, during a crisp autumn in London. Brody was abroad on a business trip. I was overworked and sick at the time.

I had just returned from Paris, feeling dizzy as I stepped into our penthouse in Mayfair. I sneezed as I texted him.

***Me:*** *'Just got back from a business trip. What do you want for dinner?'*

Almost instantly, Brody replied: *'I'm on a business trip in New York. You didn't tell me you were coming back today.'*

I had wanted to surprise him, so I kept my return a secret. But he hadn't mentioned his trip to me either.

***Me:*** *'Alright! Take care!'*

My nose, already raw and red from constant sneezing, throbbed as I hit send. I dragged myself to the ensuite bathroom, leaving a trail of discarded clothes behind me. The hot shower offered momentary relief, but the room began to spin uncontrollably as I stepped out, wrapped in Brody's oversized bathrobe.

I collapsed onto our king-sized bed.

The entire night was a blur of chills, cold sweats, and a desperate urge to get up, though my body wouldn't cooperate. My phone, placed on the mahogany cabinet across the room, rang incessantly. Each shrill tone pierced my aching head, but I was too weak to silence it.

I had no idea how many hours passed; a blurry outline of a doctor leaned over me. The sharp prick of a needle in my arm was the last thing I registered before succumbing to darkness once more.

When I finally woke, Brody was beside me, gently wiping my arm with a damp towel.

"Wh-what happened?" I asked, my throat raw from dryness.

"It's good you're awake... You caught the flu," Brody said softly, brushing his hand against my forehead to check for a fever.

As my mind slowly cleared, confusion set in. "Weren't you supposed to be in New York? When did you get here?"

Brody frowned. "The day you messaged me, I tried calling after my meeting. When you didn't answer, I got worried. I checked the penthouse's security feed and saw you'd arrived and gone straight to the bedroom. After a few more unanswered calls, I knew something was wrong. I dropped everything and returned right away."

My cheeks flushed with warmth. "I'm so sorry, Brody. I've ended up being such a bother to you."

"Don't apologize. You haven't inconvenienced me at all. You're my wife, Jane I'm relieved I came home when I did. The doctor said the IV drip was crucial in controlling your fever."

He could have easily delegated the task to someone else if work kept him occupied, but instead, he had dropped everything and flown across the Atlantic just for me.

"Is there anything specific you'd like to eat?" Brody asked, his voice laced with concern. "I could order something if you have a craving."

"Nothing in particular. Whatever you choose is fine." I wondered if he'd order takeout, so I made the decision. "I'm sorry again. I remember I offered to prepare our dinner."

It's the least I can do as his wife. We're both busy with work, and I'm frequently away in other cities. I do everything I can to keep our relationship harmonious when I'm here.

Half an hour later, Brody returned, balancing a tray laden with steaming dishes. The aroma of home-cooked food filled the room, making my stomach rumble appreciatively.

As I savored each bite, I couldn't help but comment, "This is delicious. Where did you order from? The quality is restaurant-level."

As I sipped water, he said, "I cooked the dinner. I'm glad you liked it."

I nearly choked on my water, coughing slightly. "You made all this? In just thirty minutes?"

"Yes," he replied simply.

My cheeks warmed again.  This successful, busy man had not only rushed home to care for me but had also taken the time to prepare a meal from scratch.

At that moment, I felt the full force of Brody's care, and I knew I was falling even deeper for him.

As I cried alone inside the hotel suite, my thoughts drifted back to Paris on New Year's Eve two years ago.

We had initially planned to spend the holiday with the Martin family in North Carolina, but an issue arose with one of the models my agency managed.

I had to go to Paris because I hadn't realized the model was struggling with her mental health, which had manifested in a dangerous eating disorder.

Brody had to go home, and I had no choice but to fly to Paris alone.

"Why do you have to go to Paris yourself?" Brody asked, his voice tinged with sadness.

"She doesn't have any family," I explained, my voice tight with concern. "It's the holiday season, and most of my staff are away. With her mental health so fragile, she needs someone she trusts at the hospital."

I knew I would miss Brody and his family, but I had to decide who needed me more. I promised myself I'd call Brody to wish him well, a poor substitute for our planned New Year's Eve celebration.

At the hospital, I stayed by the side of the model, who had become a close friend. We went to the garden area to watch the fireworks in the distance.

As we waited for midnight, lost in our own thoughts, I was startled by a sudden kiss on my cheek. I nearly got angry, thinking some stranger had done it. But as I spun around to confront the intruder, I found myself face-to-face with Brody's familiar, broad-shouldered frame.

"B-Brody! What are you doing here?"

His bright and warm smile against the cold Parisian night made my heart race. He presented me with a bouquet of my favorite flowers-peonies and roses-their sweet scent, starkly contrasting to the antiseptic hospital air.

"I couldn't let the New Year begin without you by my side," Brody said softly, his eyes never leaving mine.

After introducing him to my model, who smiled knowingly at us, Brody turned back to me. "Happy New Year, Jane. I hope you can forgive the surprise. I just... I couldn't bear the thought of you being alone tonight."

The truth was, I had been feeling sad. Philip was likely busy with his family, and Sarah and I hadn't spoken in a while because she was upset with me. I thought I deserved to endure this loneliness.

"But what about your family, Brody?" I asked, guilt creeping into my voice. "They must be missing you."

"Jane, you are my family Happy New Year."

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the lights of Paris. I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest.

After hours of crying and thinking about Brody's genuine care for me when I was his wife. someone knocked on my door. Fear gripped me-I was alone in this suite, and no one, not even my secretary, knew where I was.

Then I heard his voice, muffled but unmistakable. "Jane, let me speak with you..."

My heart leaped into my throat. Why is Brody here?

SPECIAL