utiful auditorium. Aria, looking sophisticated in her white gown,

the priest

ight to witness the union of Maverick

a blessed bond between two souls, b

ithful at all times, to love and cherish her, through sickne

d

st turne

faithful at all times, to love and cherish him, through sickn

said almost

ce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bri

atives clapped as Maverick

verick's step sister, said with a forced ges

, gasped. "You're certainly...dif

tered, but Sebas

een family. I'm delighted to h

ick said , alread

w Maverick immediat

d to escape the unco

whispered, loud enough for Aria

a followed Maverick's p

d his room, and he p

r" he

justing to the dimly lit space.

om the carpet to the floor-to-cei

today?"h

tur

ur marital duties

art skipp

he asked, Ma

ment, Saturday is one o

a deep bre

ck shortly" he said and entered the

starting filled the room

's phone buzzed o

screen, it was an a

essful. $500,000 depo

art skipp

agre

ped out of the elegant gown,

n the closet, the thought

oved to his drizzling wet body. Water droplets clutch to his chise

she hastily looked away and Maverick'

s her and as he drew closer,

ed to tell you some

he asked, his breath wh

ore" she blurted out and

le

what," he

irgin, M

al?" he repeated

ightened, his lip

ared. I won't hurt

trailing kisse

ot knowing how to re

ly leaving her naked and Aria's

d not lo

ands moving ar

said but Aria hesitated b

d just become painfully real

d the room as Maverick t

.." Aria's voi

pened wide as Maverick

own" she muttered, her voice

g into the bedsheets. She had expect

e whispered, tears gatherin

hurts" she said and he

I hur

down her cheeks. "I didn't exp

one," h

" she whispere

oment before he turned his fac

lief mingled with hurt. She

We have a family eve

ent?" Aria

remony" Maverick replied. "It'

role in thi

respect our family's heritage t

er head on the pillow to

t sleeping

napped out fr

ick, I t

ur agreement? Separat

t as she used the sheets to wrap aro

our own quarters tonight" he sa

he repeated

the intercom and minutes later,th

s,

Mrs. Green to her quar

ouldn't walk properly, not after...what happ

aid, clutchin

a's exposed shoulders. "S

dded. "Help

heeks burned with embarrassment as Cla

a'am" Clara said softly and Aria n

ed at her, his exp

Clara's support, Aria made her way to her quarters, e

lped Aria into bed, handing her a gl

anything else for yo

thering at the corners of her

the tears roll off, he

cur with this?

what Maverick

get used

d to being treated li

o a man who saw her as an

I do to es

use. Picking up her things would be a good excuse to get o

job to him? She was a teacher, not some social

and? Or would he

ved an hour ago. $500,000. A monthly rem

heir, I'm gone" s

thly payments may stop once she fulfilled her duty but Seba

ted. "Will $12 million

for her future, for

ts in her head,she fi