ing in the groceries store

n Rowe requests your presence. A

already

Her expression changed to a sharpe

ou he'd s

n the woman in the pharmacy who shouted that I was a home wrecker to the whole aisle. Every online job application I sent to had given no response. It was becoming impossible to find a job, and I was sure that the only p

t's the least of your worries" Charlotte to

acking his every move. Make sure he can't speak for you and make sure you

orried look quickly b

th. He might offer money. He might offer a job. If he tries t

ow to handle

'm a journalist. Men like him care about thei

iet streets. The driver didn't speak. The ride in the imposing black car was a silent ride.

ered into an elevator that went directly to the top of the building. Every floor

back to the door when I entered, and his hands were clasped behind him and his shoulders were like a board. When he turned, I felt the s

rning, V

e engaged," I said bef

d. The words were polite and well-mannered, but the softness he had a

the city passed us by outside. I imagined what the tiny cars and the ev

e said. "For you, for me, for my business associates. There are good

t me, and there

option that will

, the long s

e contract

ittle while, almost like they be

ng me to marr

provide you with a financial income and safety from the media. It will also provide you a home and the opportunity to

bout Ca

ossed his face. "I

r, and the hostile glares of strangers toward the already fictionalized me. I thought about Charlott

be a real marri

it cleanly when the situation cal

d this as much as I did. It was comforting to know he needed this deal as much as I did, and

the expe

n the press and with my family. With all of that, you'd hav

ding for me decades ago: gold digger, home wrecker, the one who did a hotel overnight to ruin

," I

ickly crossed his face. "Thank you

in the new context of the signature line, formal and constraini

was his wife. The lights were blinding. I didn't hear them, but th

for coming on such short notice. Recent events have led to a great deal of spe

rowd. His gaze

introduce my wi

captured the moment. He slipped a ring onto my fi

close to me. "Welcome to the Rowe fami

ld have felt l

hooked onto his, cameras still rolling, need to show a solid union in

ad hours prior in the hotel room. This silence had an end date. That

t the window and I looked to th

ng, and I had no clue about