The Marriage I Wasn't Meant to Question.

inted in black ink at the top of a docum

ings are-heavy, smooth, unbending. It sat on the table l

hummed softly above us, too cold for the k

ches closer. His voice was polite, professional. The ki

table, he d

n't ne

him too. Tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, no unnecessary jewelry e

ef. Not cruel. Not warm. Just... measuring. Like a

person in t

a so

ask questions," t

My throat was to

luxury. I hadn't

ne line stood out

ELVE (12

ye

e, but would sit on my finger and follow me i

under the table, because the only thing wo

ffice, my life

returning. A situation I couldn't explai

en before my phone battery

done w

ed. One moment you're proud and stubborn, the next you'

wasn'

to reme

r-" the la

e," I said, sharp

Kingsley's face. Not annoyance.

You will become Mrs. Kingsley-legally and publicly. You will

ided

softly, but their

ed myself, the rest of the

re are no marital obligations

h still t

ough to let me know he'd heard the unfinished qu

he same time. I hated how grateful

ll be provided. You will not speak to the press. You will not post personal details

ved c

ade my chest

ly. Not why the rule

tated, glancing

way from me. "Becaus

t raised. It di

certainty of someone

t know me

e then. Real

cold. They were controlle

lied. "Otherwise, you w

sn't

r, weighted, flawless. Even the pen l

id, though it sounded more like

ses written to protect one person: him. Words like

the softer sections-

rdrobe. Secur

ract was

s eff

ther page. T

learer it became: my r

as to be

. A presence that stopped questions fr

section titled: TE

like hou

te bed

access to t

ower-level pr

active secur

heduled

tened somethi

quire about prior d

estic arr

e the question form on my face, because I

m felt

ned a

aver than I felt. I wrote my name carefully, as if nea

yer took the document an

d without re

have told me

contract when the con

d today. A driver is waiting downstairs. Your belongings will b

caught. "C

y arranged,"

arran

e interrupted calmly.

e it

ath all the others: He

looked at me like the decision had

you at hom

o

my h

our

i

e room feeling e

. "If you have questions later, M

Kin

ded late, hea

name sitting beneath his like proof

my bag-a final notificatio

invite had

TATE - ARRI

PROTOCO

it, a si

ABOUT THE

in around me, and the realizatio

st agreed t

side a house with doors

y decided how much truth