nor

City Hall. The air was crisp, the sky a brilliant, cloudless blue. It felt lik

vercoat, but he stood out from the crowd like a wolf among sheep. Beside him was

as I approached. He gave a c

ribs. I smoothed down the front of my cream-col

ard with a polite smile that didn't reach his e

of other couples waiting to be married. He opene

is the postnuptial," he said, handing them t

It was standard for people of his wealth: all pre-existing assets remained s

al agreement, the contract th

ay. Upon its conclusion, a no-fault

attending corporate and social functions as required. I was to p

esources of Apex Holdings to assist me in gaining controlling

han I had dared to hope for. It was a concrete

e of our marriage was to remain an absolute secret. To

than fair. They were

id, looking up from the pap

unsurprised, and handed me a

e stroke of the pen felt momentous, the ink sealing my fate.

his signature a bold, de

that felt hollow and strange on my tongue. He slid a simple,

ate and pushed it across the counter. "

Legally, I

ght morning sun, the certi

ediately," Alaric said, his

at him,

ne all business. "Initiate a preliminary asset valuation of Northwood Enterprises. And begin

arles," a voice rep

step. Let your father know his company

htaking. For the first time, I truly believed that cont

word of gratitude es

me that deep, searching look aga

to my estate today. And you will begi

ing the words h

care of my da