yone... Good

flourish, Caroline Hale, the founder of "Scripted Hearts," a startup that turned the digital age's cold communication back into something tangible. Her company specialized in three-dimensional letters: intric

Caroline looked like the epitome of the "cheerful girl next door" entrepreneur. Her hair was pulled back into a b

of art must have one unmistakable characteristic that makes a customer stop scrolling. Her

the rhyth

im, these men wore tailored, charcoal-grey suits and shoes that probably cost more than Caroline's first three printing presses. The man on the right sat with a

yes swept the room, they snagged on those two dark suits.

line felt a momentary rush of oxygen return to her lungs. She spent the next twenty minutes mingling, tak

? Someone left

note. Before Caroline could ask who it was from, the messenger

ting was elegant, sharp, and brief: I'

ust across the courtyard. She didn't wait. She grabbed her messeng

y filling the air. She scanned the room until she saw a hand rise

e a blue so deep and piercing they reminded her of the mid-Atlantic-beautiful, but c

am-colored business

son M

brokered a peace treaty in her father's office, tradin

impatient quality. He began tapping a slow, steady beat on the table with his index finger-a habit of a

e word. "Partner? Is th

ison replied, his gaze unwavering. "I am well aware that you are

by on the campus. She felt like she was behind a pane of glass, separated from the real world forever. If Harr

g a thick folder toward her. It w

ison said, his tone dropping into a business-like drone. "As such

gon. It felt surreal. She was twenty years old,

regarding the nature of this contract. 3. The marriage shall last a minimum of two years. D

ract meant rules. Rules meant she could prepare. She didn't have to g

e blank," Harrison said

rom a nearby table and offered Caroline a pen. He didn't say a w

o be a prisoner, she was going to negotia

family. - There will be no physical con

her additions. He pointed at the

aroline

l live there. The house is under twenty-four-hour surveillance by staff who report di

pen back and crossed out the line, replacing it

eep her pride from shattering. "But we take turns

for a hint of weakness. "I have never slept on a floor in my life, Caroline. But

the ink, and finalized the document. Caroline signed he

odbye. He simply walked out, leaving her sitting alone with the ghost of

sen for herself. She stared at the pasta, wondering if it was a coincidence or if he

red it, picking up her fork and trying to for

rison's assistant. I apologize fo

ed and picked

he voice was kind, professional. "Mr. Harrison has

ou," she

requested for the upcoming month. It coordinates your campus hours with Mr. Harrison's board meetings. If th

Caroline said,

e any quest

t the empty chair across from

e had ever asked him that before. "My name is Steven, Miss. I

faint, sad smile. "

pened the file. H

Family Dinner at Marcus Manor. Dress Code: Red Sundress. Wednesday, July 1

at no longer belonged to her. She put the phone

een on a proper date. And now, in a matter of weeks, she would be the wife of a cong

zing tide. Caroline Hale, the girl who made 3D hearts, was