ONTRACT WIFE FOR T

widening. glass walls, marble floors, and

his presence like a shadow

t heavy in her han

how you." Ethan

ed. "What about..

ill email you the terms. You

tened. "And...my

ticked. "Pai

ling a mix of r

red. "This way

arently. Lavender walls, king bed, en-su

phone. "Mr. Rivers' nu

she took the phone. Ethan's w

collapsed onto the b

zzed. A text

8 PM.

skipped. Din

potting a closet full of desi

Mr. Rivers requests you we

ned. The red dr

oom. Ethan stood by the window, h

ning," he said

ks heated.

words, cold food, heavy air

he stood. "We leav

s "P

old. "Business. You

art racing. What w

to leave. "Go

him go, feel

ne buzz

enthouse alone. S

ened. What was

e door Ethan had just walked out of. The silence was deafe

ery room seemed to lead to another, each one more luxurious than the last. She

e table. Ethan, younger, smiling, with a woman who l

zzed, breaking the spe

will find out wha

rrowed. What

ompson entered, a discreet smile on his

then nodded.

ass of wine, she asked, "Wh

ut his eyes flickered. "That was Mr. R

twisted. "

s soft. "It was a l

ok a sip, her mind racing. W

ppeared again. "Miss, it's late. You

he weight of the day

heard a faint noise. The door creaked open

hispered. "

ed in, his breath on her ear.

ing, but her mind was a jumble of em

is eyes glinting in the

her heart still racing. What was goin

racing with questions. Who was

up to the sound of her phon

inutes. We are l

es widen

was she supposed to wear?

of coffee. "Good morning, M

ath,steeling hersel

one of those designer dresses from the closet. H

p open, tie loose. He didn't loo

r Paris,"

You

ld my arm

ask questio

tened. "You knew

t something flickered. "I know everyth

ndow,This wasn't just a contract anymor

zed. Unknown

everything. Ask h

an. He was back to

iding? And wh

than closed his laptop. "We land in

ile. Inside, sh

ck car waited. Ethan took Lia's hand like i

in gowns that cost more than Lia's mom's hospital

s. Rivers!" rep

Ethan's arm slid around he

ed silk, staring straight at L

sed. "Ign

?" Lia whis

son's voice came from

ed on Lia. She raised her champagne glass

. Ethan's jaw clenche

only Lia to hear: "Ask him why Ava real

lled her away befor

" he said, but his ha

the first time, she saw