ile played on my lips-why was I laughing? Out of desperation because of all the things

lity of having a child with that man. I couldn't bear for any man to touch me again. The images of Mason on top o

ur inheritance because I wo

ation, even as his sharp gaze bore into me and

u." Gregory's response was short and cold, and I fe

to force me t

ing with you?" He took a threatening s

recoiled, terrified, and Gregory not

ion," he said, clearing his throat a

ted to live through this moment. I then thought of the awful days I had endured in this house and knew I couldn't stay here much longer. I wo

d to be smart and use this

osed my eyes, and tried

is neck to look at me. "I'll give you what you want,

my spine, and I braced myself for another a

ent he shut off his emotions. He clenched his teeth and

k," I said, not even thinking about the consequences. "I just want an end to this mar

long time mulling over what I had said. His face twisted,

he agreeing to my terms? "As long as y

gory didn't like it. "That's enough

er another, until he stopped direct

want?" I suddenly saw something strange in Gregory'

ntions? I considered backing down, accepting the five years he had imposed, and for

aid, my eyes shut tight, as fear e

to pay any price for my freedom. When I finally opened my ey

eturned to its usual tone, but my heart continued racing un

" I st

touch me, and now he was telling me to go to my room

rned on his heels but didn't look at me. "And

ed in his unbuttoned white shirt, his icy blue eyes, and the strands of hair that insistently

houghts. How could I have been so naive? I was doomed to remain with a m

usband. I felt nothing but disgust every time Mason touched me. I would take ten showers a day just to erase his scent from my skin.

the idea. But seconds later, the door opened, and he entered. I felt incapable

." I was forced to turn my h

. It took me a while to take it-I could barely bring myse

te and the conseque

ed the document and placed i

tion caught me off guard. "Because

wanted. If I backed out, Gregory would tear up the

naling that I

ms. The night outside was cold, but inside t