ret's

had been dreading this conversation all day. The moment his voi

forward slightly. "My love," I said gently, "c

ed back in his chair and sighed. "I do love you, mi amor he said rubbing my tits,

he air between us th

Blackwood. The Business Tycoon of the Year award is coming up, and image is everything. Eth

range a marriage for my daughter? She's just

e'll learn to play her rol

ed slightly, bu

's company rise again, you'll make him sign over the ow

"Get rid of... wh

aid it yourself no love, no future. Once he's gone, the company is yo

o. No, I can't do that. He's still my husband. He

llapse broke him. You brought it back from the ashes with your saving

me to do something s

r body with anyone, not even a husband you no longer care for. If you can't do

ed away leaving me in stunned silence, my

thoughts spiraling endlessly. My fingers traced the rim of the g

aughter, saving my husband, and preserving the life we had fought so hard

much time had passed until

waitress said softly. "But it's closi

e time on my phone 7:30 PM. I had b

gathered my things and stood, for

knuckles pale. My heart wrestled with a decision I didn't feel equipped to

eard about Malcolm's plan to marry Caroline off like a pawn, he would lo

said more than words. Richard looked up from th

t back, you haven't smiled... you haven'

my shoes slowly. I c

sed, walking toward m

tightly in my lap. I took a deep bre

riously? He's going to hel

aid quietl

le froz

are con

m his face. "What k

ed closer, firmer this time. "Margaret.

ing. "The first... is that we allow

to process. "Well... I don't like it, but if that's

cut in, my voice

arrowed. "

lt like knives. "He wants... h

hat followed

at me in disb

he company... and then... you'd have to dis

Disappear? As in he w

guilt washing ove

oarse. "He wants you to murder

d. "I didn't say yes! I

hear how weak m

beside me, lost in thought. I lay there staring at the ceil

ly: no calls, no texts, nothing. Silence filled our h

"Mum," she said gently, "what's go

ng's perfectly fine, darlin

ing was far

n opposite sides of the bed, he looked over at me. "I've thought abo

m, startled. "

r nothing. And... we'll get what we need. We

nodded. I liked the idea, but one conc

ition. But make it clear he must fulfill his part of the deal be

it. "Alright.

eeks, we both managed t

signature short dresses the kind Malcolm liked. It hugged my

sight of me. "Mum?" she asked, puzzled.

, then smiled quickly. "Oh,

sk more, I was alr

uinely surprised. "Wow," he said with a smirk. "I

augh and took a s

d, gesturing to the

accept your condition for one term. The first condition must be fulfilled,

ack, amused. "Yo

I replied. "This way,

of my word, mi princes

calls for a celebra

celebrate," he said, voice