contract were s

uld remain married, and she would behave like a

s for personal expenses. Once their divorce was finalized, she w

said. "Follow the conditions listed here, and if there's a

se pushed it away. "I appreciate

ression remained perfectly composed. "Tell me what it would t

in silence. "Out of every woman you cou

hesitation. "That means you understand the Wri

ble. "How exactly are you connected to that family? More im

test smile appeared on Michael's lips. "Surel

s as one possibility after an

encer family's gala without restriction. The quiet authority he c

ame rose from

e be Mi

Rumors painted him as a merciless and secretive

couldn't have been older than thirty. His sharply sculpted face and

heard. According to the gossip, Michael was nearing forty, l

ords escaped before she could reconsider them. "Yo

ized she had mistaken him for his father's illegit

ed his silence

legitimate son would soon be returning from overse

om another woman, and he had grown up apart from the Wrig

was why he had been shipped overseas as a child. Wilbur's critical illness wa

d because he intended to marry. If Charlie was desperately searching f

rengthening his position before fighti

he mess you're in," Michael said in an even, detached tone. "We both gain s

" This time, Elyse agreed. "Give

Elyse turned to the final page of

iver's license with

ed nod. "I do, but wha

ge official today," Mich

s seated in the car did the weight of

ried a man after mee

t him before curling her fingers more firmly around the certificate.

university, Elyse immediately reached

said before she

im. "Did you need some

our belongings. I'm stayin

over her response. "But I... I in

s to meet hers. "You signed a marriage agreement. Yo

o help Michael convince the publi

gave a reluctant nod. "Understood. I'll pack

Elyse opened the door and s

ry layer of bedding was saturated, and the ex

ell, leaving her textbooks and handw

er clothes lay scattered around it, each one deli

lyse crouched and starte

everyone a favor and move out. None of us wants to sh

, yet Elyse gave Eva no answer. Instead, she cont

, the door ope

curved her lips into a slight smile as she crossed the room and stopped directl

at her before crouching again and reaching

brought a flash of irrita

d her lab notebook. Just before her fingers touched its spine, Scarl

eel dug into the cover as she

ng the notebook. Slowly, she raise

r, Scarlett smiled with open satisfaction. "Profess

. Then she delivered the news she had truly come to share. "Your paper wi