The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 86

Suzie sighed in frustration, quickly composing herself before explaining, “There was a mix-up in the printing department. They swapped the names on my project and Lexi’s. That’s all.”

Jamie’s brow furrowed in suspicion. “Then why do you still have this file?”

She hesitated for a moment. “She had a very successful shoot,” Suzie replied coolly. “I was studying it.”

After her explanation, Jamie didn’t press her further. A new thought struck her: why wasn’t he surprised to see her at Mirage Studio? Hadn’t he sent Aaron to sabotage her interview at Lumina Studio? Was it possible he only wanted to keep her out of Lumina, not prevent her from working altogether?

Seeing an opportunity to change the subject, she decided to confront him directly. “Jamie, when I was about to get the job at Lumina Studio, was it you who had Aaron call the interviewer and tell them not to hire me? I never thought you could be so vicious. I was out of the industry for two years while I was married to you, and now that I’m trying to rebuild my life, you’re still trying to shut every door in my face. Are you even a man? Are you even human?”

Jamie stared at her, completely bewildered. He struggled to contain the turmoil her earlier words had stirred within him, taking a moment to calm himself before answering. “Why would I stop you from working? You left the Baylor family, but I gave you money, property, and stocks. Isn’t any of that enough to last you a lifetime? Why would I try to ruin your career and leave you with nothing?”

She couldn’t detect any hint of a lie on his face, but she pressed on. “Then why was the man’s last name Stillman? I know there are plenty of Stillmans in this city, but someone with enough power to influence Lumina Studio with a single phone call, specifically demanding they reject me? Put it all together, and who else could it have been?”

Jamie rubbed his temples, a look of irritation clouding his features. His eyes swept over her before he pulled a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket.

Noticing the movement, Suzie’s voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. “I hate the smell of smoke.”

His hand froze mid-air for a few seconds before he lowered it, the unlit cigarette still pinched between his fingers. His jaw was clenched tight. “You never said you hated it. I used to smoke in front of you, and you never said a word.”

His voice was soft, laced with a hoarseness that suggested he was suppressing some deep emotion.

Suzie didn’t respond. She had never liked the smell, but because it was him, and because he looked so handsome and masculine when he smoked, she had secretly enjoyed watching him, despite the scent.