C8 Moved On

Michelle’s POV

Jason left my office like a storm, controlled, direct, and impossible to ignore. And with him, he took the last lingering doubt in my heart.

I was no longer alone and helpless.

And I was no longer the woman who let people walk over her.

Later that day, I sat on the edge of my bed with the marriage contract file unopened on my nightstand. My fingers hovered over it, but I wasn’t ready yet. Everything had been happening too fast.

I wasn’t just signing a document and I was stepping into a battlefield.

One that Seth and Kiara thought they ruled.

I stepped out onto the balcony and watched the sun begin to set over the city skyline. The breeze hit my skin, soft but chilling. In my chest, a storm was brewing.

Suddenly, I heard a burst of laughter downstairs, Kiara’s voice. Too loud, too fake.

I went down and found her on the phone.

“Yes, Seth. She’s totally clueless. Still stuck on her fake fiancé. Don’t worry, I’ve got this…”

I cleared my throat loudly. She jumped and fumbled to end the call.

“Oh Michelle!” she said sweetly, too sweet. “Didn’t know you were home.”

“I live here,” I deadpanned. “But by all means, keep gossiping about me in my own house.”

She forced a laugh. “Relax. Just girl talk.”

I gave her a long look and walked away.

Later, as I settled into a cup of tea, my phone buzzed again. A message from Jason.

Jason: I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning. You’ll need to be with me for the anniversary dinner. Pack your essentials.

Straight to the point, as always.

I glanced over at the marriage contract and finally opened it. The terms were cold, professional. No feelings. No romance. No intimacy. Just appearances. Just survival.

It should have been enough.

But it didn’t explain why Jason’s voice lingered in my thoughts… or why the way he held me earlier made my heart stutter.

I was still staring at the contract when another call came in—an unknown number.

“Hello?”

“Is this Michelle Danilo?” a refined voice asked.

“Yes. Who’s this?”

“This is Mara Godson—Jason’s mother. He told us you’re his fiancée. We’re hosting a private dinner tonight at the villa. Just us girls.”

I blinked. “I thought the dinner was on Friday?”

“This one’s a surprise,” she said sweetly. “Let’s keep it between us.”

She hung up before I could respond.

I was stunned.

Jason hadn’t mentioned anything about a solo dinner.

Was this a test?

Was I ready?

I looked back at the contract. Then at my phone. And finally, at my reflection in the glass.

For once, I wasn’t the girl being left behind.

I was the woman they’d never see coming.

*********

Jason’s POV

Back at the office, I handed a stack of documents to Richard and tapped the purple folder containing the marriage contract.

“These are the new companies. Set them aside. Focus on the contract for Michelle. Deliver it to her today.”

“Yes, boss.”

“And Richard,” I added, pausing before I took the car keys, “let her know I’ll pick her up tomorrow morning myself.”

Richard nodded, and I left the building, heading straight to the Godson family estate.

The estate sat like a crown atop a hill-gated, sprawling, and soaked in the scent of old money. Generations of pride etched into every brick.

My parents were in the garden under the pergola when I arrived.

“Jason,” my father said with a raised brow. “You were supposed to be here hours ago.”

“Business,” I said casually. “Handled personally.”

“Your grandparents will be here soon,” my mother added, brushing imaginary lint off her designer gown. “And Jason… I hope you won’t come alone this time.”

I smirked. “Relax, Mother. I’ve moved on.”

“You have?” she asked, surprised.

“I’ll be bringing someone to the anniversary dinner. Her name is Michelle Danilo. She’s Greg Danilo’s daughter. CEO of MDGC.”

“The modeling agency?” she gasped. “She’s on Forbes’ list!”

My grandmother clapped her hands, already pulling out her phone. “Let’s look her up.”

Crystal and Ricky walked into the garden just then. Ricky hugged me while Crystal’s smile faltered the second she heard Michelle’s name.

“Congratulations on your two-year anniversary,” I said to Ricky. “I wouldn’t miss your dinner for anything.”

“Neither would we,” Ricky said, giving Crystal a look.

“And yes,” I added with deliberate calm, “Michelle and I are announcing our engagement that night.”

That got everyone buzzing.

Except Crystal.

She sat still, lips frozen in a forced smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I leaned back in my seat and let the moment settle.

One game at a time.