Chapter 20: A New Kind of War

Chapter 20: A New Kind of War

Elena

Elena wasn't sure what unnerved her more—the way Jason had walked away without an argument, or the way his words had lingered in her mind long after he was gone.

This marriage stopped being just a contract the moment we started seeing each other as more than adversaries.

It had been a challenge. A warning. A confession.

And Elena hated that she didn't know which one it was.

She had wanted independence, and now she had it. Jason wasn't hovering over her, pulling strings in the shadows. The investor deal had gone through, and her boutique was thriving. Everything she had fought for was finally in her grasp.

So why did it feel like something was missing?

She shook off the thought, straightening as she stepped into her boutique that morning. She needed to focus. Jason Sinclair was a complication she couldn't afford—not when her success was still precarious, and her future depended on proving she could hold her own.

She barely had time to settle in before her assistant, Mia, rushed over. "There's a reporter waiting for you."

Elena frowned. "A reporter?"

Mia nodded. "She says she has an exclusive business feature lined up and wants to interview you about the boutique's rapid rise."

Elena's stomach tightened. She wasn't naïve—reporters didn't just show up with positive intentions. Still, this was an opportunity she couldn't ignore.

"Alright," she said, smoothing her dress. "Let's see what she wants."

Jason

Jason stared at the headline on his tablet, his grip tightening on the device. This wasn't just about Elena's success—it was about control. Their marriage was supposed to be a carefully orchestrated arrangement, one that served his business interests. But if the media started seeing Elena as independent rather than devoted to him, questions would arise. Doubt would creep in. Investors would wonder if their marriage was just a front, and that was a risk he couldn't afford.

ELENA SINCLAIR—THE WOMAN BEHIND THE EMPIRE: HOW SHE'S BUILDING A LEGACY BEYOND HER MARRIAGE

He had expected Elena to make waves in the business world. Had even known she would thrive once she was given space to prove herself. But something about seeing her name in bold letters—without his attached influence—made his chest tighten.

His father's voice echoed in his mind. A contract is just as fragile as trust.

Jason swiped away the article and picked up his phone. "Find out who leaked that story," he ordered his assistant. "And keep an eye on any investors circling her boutique."

He told himself it was just business. That he was protecting an asset tied to his name. But deep down, he knew the truth.

Elena was proving she didn't need him. And Jason Sinclair had never handled losing well.

Elena

The interview had gone better than expected—until the final question.

"What would you say to those who believe your success is solely due to your connection with Jason Sinclair?"

Elena kept her smile in place, but her fingers curled slightly on the table. "I would say that my work speaks for itself."

The reporter arched a brow. "So you're saying Jason Sinclair has had no influence in your success?"

Elena hesitated. She could deny it outright, but that wasn't the truth. And Jason—controlling, frustrating Jason—had given her something no one else had.

A reason to fight harder.

"Jason and I have a complex relationship," she said finally. "But my business is my own. Whatever I build, I build with my own hands."

The reporter nodded, scribbling down notes. "And your marriage? How would you define it?"

Elena's pulse quickened. "I think we both prefer to let the public draw their own conclusions."

The reporter smiled knowingly. "Fair enough."

She hadn't given much thought to how her growing success might be perceived in the context of her contract with Jason. She had assumed that as long as they maintained their public appearances together, she was upholding her end of the deal. But was she? Had she unknowingly stepped outside the boundaries of their agreement?

By the time the interview was published, the headlines weren't about her boutique's success. They were about her marriage.

Jason

Jason read the interview twice. He knew the media would twist Elena's words, but seeing it in print still made his blood boil.

ELENA SINCLAIR BREAKS FREE: A BUSINESSWOMAN FIRST, A WIFE SECOND?

It wasn't just the press. His investors had started making comments, questioning his grip on his own empire. Some hinted at Elena's growing independence as a sign of his weakness.

That was unacceptable.

Jason didn't lose control. Not in business, not in his personal life. And definitely not when it came to his wife. Elena's independence was becoming a problem—not because he wanted her to fail, but because her success, separate from him, could unravel everything. If people saw her as thriving alone, how long before they questioned whether their marriage was real? Whether it was necessary at all?

If Elena wanted to prove herself, fine. But she would do it knowing exactly who she was up against.

He picked up his phone. "Schedule a press conference. Make sure Elena is invited."

It was time to remind everyone—including her—that he wasn't so easily ignored. If Elena wanted to prove she could stand on her own, fine. But she would do it while playing the role they agreed upon. He wouldn't let her disrupt the balance of their contract, not when so much was at stake.