rived at seven

black leather, the Hawthorne Corporation phoenix embossed in silver on t

ween her palms. She watched Emma with the same predatory stillness

rom the head of the table. "You

ntract, she poured herself a cup

ter. He took his place at the head of

. We're going to the Hawtho

her teacup

ence sh

the situation,"

your company is weeks from collapse. I'm aware Fiona refused to marry a man in a wheelchair

na's hands tightened

terms,"

jaw tighten

h that they never worry about money again. T

on

me. My own money, deposited

on

ollars. If Alex Hawthorne dies before the year is up, I still get the money. If he leav

at his daughter, this stranger who had walked int

ght about th

had a year to come get me. Yo

Fine. Get ready, we

*

e was a fortress of

fountains, toward a mansion that made the Williams house look modes

r. Hawthorne is expecting you. But first,

ion was unreadable. "The grandmother,"

mchair, her silver hair swept up, her eyes sharp despite her age. She wore a simple b

and stayed there. "So," she said, her v

"Madam Hawthorne. It's

the plain trousers, the calloused hands. Emma expected d

words. You come as you are." S

d. "Thank y

r. Let me l

out and took her hands, turning them

looked up at Emma. "My Alex has been surrounded by vultures since his accident. Women who see a crippled billionaire a

gaze. "No, ma

again, wider this time.

Williams family. "You may wait in the parlor

uth to protest. One look f

lked about nothing, the gardens, the weather, the orchi

red. "Mr. Hawthorne will

ing agility. She took Emma's arm

gs, but his heart and trust." She looked at Emma with eyes that had seen

ed. "I un

patted her hand.

d curtains. He sat behind a massive desk in his wheelchair, his

r behind her. "So,"

long moment. "You're

d that on the

ile crossed his

at. "The contract is on the desk," he said. "I'v

e pages. Her terms were there,

e you sign," Alex said, "ther

pau

e to marry. For two years, she's been push

e pen. "You hav

my mother. Watching me in this chair nearly broke her." He looked down at his h

d. "You want m

hink this is real. Let her have her happi

. Her warmth and kindness in a house that

said. "I ca

d slowly.

pen and signed her

t when Alex spoke ag

look

you were doing this because you had no other choice

have been a lie." Something flickere

run. I could have refused but I chose to sign." She set down

all but genuine. "Good. The

velvet box. He opened it to reveal a ring, a s

et him slip it onto her finger. The di

grandmother will be there. She'll cry. She'll hug you. She'll

with something

u handl

At the man in the wheelchair who was

le anything

*

the parlor, Fiona was

Williams were speaking with the butler about arrangements. Bu

"How was he? As pat

idn't

nds. A cripple for a husband. A life spent pushing a wheelchair, being pitied by everyone who sees you." Sh

he triumph in her eyes.

ome," Emma s

ile falter

m accepting." Emma walked toward

es

hought the man was weak. But I've learned something in my life." She smiled, that smal

ving Fiona frozen i

small guest room and looke

hone

e begins. Remember, the key you'll find opens more than locks.

about Madam Hawthorne's warmth. Alex's r

urned off her phone.The game,