ie'

ion evaporating from my body like mist in sunlight. My heart was pounding

. Her brows furrowed deeper, and

anic beginning to se

o spoke with all the warmth of an ice cube. Lina tapped the message and opened the attached do

highlighted paragraph. It's a late amen

ing the cold, calculated words tha

a stable, affectionate marriage, or if either party breaches behavioral expectations as determined solely

voice rising. "Behavioral expectations? Subject t

hat gives him discretionary control over your payment if he b

mile right at a gala, or hold his hand in fron

lly flimsy, but with his power and

hat's what he said, just a year of playing house for ten mill

if you sign this amendment tomorrow morning a

nd turned to her.

hat would risk the entire contract." He could claim b

was spinning. This wasn't part of the plan. Damien Vale had been clear-cold, bu

sting me," I w

owing his true co

rewind the last forty-eight hours and go back to being broke an

ical bills were piling up like mountains. We'd already bee

nds. Tomorrow, I was s

uld play the part and smile for the cameras, whatever it

back," she said,

in my throat. "Let's get some sleep,

***************

rning came

ilk slip with a modest neckline, elegant but far from dramatic. I did

the city swirl around me, trees dancing around. People rushing to work, taxis blast

Black tailored three-piece suit that looked like it had been stitched with precision. His dark eyes complimented hi

hind him, holding a f

, with a stern look not b

who gave me a firm

, a few forms, a bored-looking judge. Damien and I stood side-by-side,

en Vale, take

es

e Hart, take

hat was it. It was done. We were no

ted for half a breath, then signed. So did Damien

judge said flatly. "You

nd we stepped onto the steps. Damien took my hand with the precision of a trained

mured, "Smile l

for the photographers, for the illusion of

*************

ouse-my new home. It was all polished marble and sle

uest bedroom. You are free to use any amenities. Damien's schedule will be

"Sure, sounds delightful. Thank you." Julius g

utiful, beautiful decor with carefully placed lighting illuminating the room and maybe the heart of the person in it, but despite all of

nswered im

mily, Lina. T