Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 291

Cecilia blinked, a knowing look on her face. “Stephanie, just admit it. You're so in love.”

Love?

Was she?

Her marriage to Jonathan was just an agreement, initially intended to use his help to get back Meridian Consortium.

She had just been betrayed by Quennel and was heartbroken.

But she had to force herself to be rational, to not let her emotions rule her.

Marrying Jonathan had been unexpected.

But before she knew it, they had been living under the same roof for almost three months.

A lot had happened in those three months, and Stephanie felt like she was getting too deep into her role, truly seeing herself as Jonathan’s wife.

She wasn't just cooking for him whenever she had free time; she was also defending him in front of the Vasquez family.

Stephanie felt a bit dazed.

It seemed she was growing more and more attached to his scent and the warmth of his embrace.

Last night, Jonathan had teased her in bed until she felt she was about to lose control.

The thought of divorcing him in a year actually made her wish time would slow down.

Maybe it was because she longed for a home, for a real family…

But from the very beginning, Jonathan had been a passive participant in this marriage. He had been arranged to marry her by Mrs. Vasquez Sr.; it wasn't his choice.

Stephanie believed that matters of the heart had to be voluntary.

Jonathan deserved to marry a girl he liked, not be forced into an arranged marriage. It was too unfair to him.

Stephanie's original plan was that after they divorced in a year, it wouldn't stop Jonathan from finding someone who truly moved him.

But because of Quennel's constant provocations online and during livestreams, Jonathan had to put on a show in public to support her.

Now everyone knew that she, Stephanie, had married Jonathan, and they had blatantly flaunted their affection during a livestream.

On top of that, two men were fighting over her to an irreconcilable point. When she eventually divorced Jonathan, would any woman really be willing to marry him?

Putting herself in their shoes, Stephanie knew she wouldn't want a man who had a “one that got away.”

Stephanie felt like she was holding Jonathan back.

Was she just supposed to wait for good things to fall into her lap without trying?

Seeing Stephanie stand up, Cecilia asked, “Going to the restroom?”

“I’m going to step outside and make a call.”

Jonathan had mentioned an international conference call today and would likely be working late into the night.

Since returning from his business trip, he had been incredibly busy, working past midnight almost every day.

It made sense. A week away in Aurelia meant a lot of work had piled up back home.

With great power came great responsibility. As CEO, the paperwork that had accumulated in just that one week was probably a thick stack.

Stephanie stood in a quiet alley outside the restaurant and dialed Jonathan’s number.

It rang a few times before someone picked up.

But the voice that answered was a woman's. “Hello?”

Stephanie froze for a moment, not processing it. She pulled the phone away from her ear and instinctively glanced at the screen.