a's

zed at it. The phrases on the page flashed before my eyes: *no emotional

ve me a headache: *all liabilities and debt

e? My question was hardl

is arms folded and his dark eyes fixed

ila." "You underesti

lbox and saw another envelope with a red stamp, I had sensed

other op

out a large folder. Slowly, as if he were handing me

e shaking whe

almost

s on credit cards. I never signed any business l

the page with

742,0

t stoppe

ttered. "It

some accounts using your name. Others-

was

oom wh

de and droppe

d nothing

forged. You have righ

sat down, trembling, and

ine. "Lila, you're in danger. This goes beyond mon

m. "What are t

promised is wha

the promi

on a million-dollar land purchase. However, he never returned

. "I was unaware of all of this.

in mourning. Additionally, I didn't want to br

self more, though, for loving a guy who wore fals

I inquired. "Is

you're related to me if I pay off your debts right away. That increases your risk. However,

e him

e remain

g remorseful ly

No

o w

ith his hand. Ge

to Richard was not my fault. B

om fell

know wha

pts sprawled across the table. The stats didn't lie. The bak

aid he would t

lied about

fell into

urthermore, I had no idea how t

my phone, I di

embling, thirt

been straightf

didn't pay the next mortgage amount, whi

ke over the building if I couldn't

no one el

amily. N

t Et

hat ag

y sleep. I was b

had decided

didn't wait at the counter this tim

eeting,

't give

, he glanced up. His gro

tract of marriag

"I'll s

muscle

behind them, stood slowly, and lo

e appro

certain?"

ut there doesn't see

od. "So we b

ade our way to

black. His clo

a wedding and mo

ere are no rings

th a hand that di

d said, "Lila West-Col

't smil

didn't

tdoors into the

e opened t

ood there

e?" I i

an inscrut

ou've always bee

imbed into

d the

t later that evening. It smelled of powe

e had c

esh s

I scarcely

drink and sat

ything tomorrow

I don't want t

over. "Yo

nd fear when I saw the blaze in hi

and on my che

affection," he declar

ave

as unsure if

ept in a di

ld fall apart as I curled up in si

alsehood can des

phone buzz i

off the bed

: "Marrying him w

d turned

more

your husband aliv

thumping, I s

ore me

The texts were staring up at me fro

d him. ** ** "Ask Ethan about Richard's death

h became

lf expecting to see Ethan. A slight click caught my

llow. I was unable to think clearly. My ears were ri

to br

lights were visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, which

ng cold water into a glass. I didn't

d being

ang up on the

his

ht not to

piv

k jeans and no shirt. His eyes were dark in the

p." My voice faltered as

silent on the floor

dreams?" h

d. "That kin

and. I continued to hol

said. "You n

I remained

Richard passed away?" My

me to

htened. His ga

sk that?" he a

ply mus

a step to

" "During a meeting. I had no i

think he

Perhaps it was the lengthy silence before he said anything. O

ccording to the police. But his remains were discovered dis

than's hands cle

e I was invo

what to think

could smell his power, wa

, I didn't kill

ngs. He used my name, as you kn

you know. I made an effort. But each t

being

as a lov

nd was

o keep you safe, I married you. I woul

certain, terrified. and

I repeated my question. "Why get

my face. His thumb moved slow

Because I've lov

zed a

in that instant. the unc

ve me

t stop h

y. He pulled me in as his hands sank into my hair. Someth

im a kiss

tion. Furious. wishin

down my neck as he pull

ighs and parted them as

n my skin, "Te

did

sperate mouth m

hed. I dropped my nightgown to the

but I did, because his skin o

ide me. He moved deftly, grippi

breaking

s on

blended with mine. I encircled him with my leg

got it

pleasure, and forgotten pain,

chest, out of brea

a word, he car

st

wrapped around me and his

to have f

er, I

e till his brea

to the kitchen after

there, hidden beneat

esh m

savior. Inspect his office's lockable

nd tre

s behind

harsh,

what are you doi

ound, concealing the

, it was

flicker of terror in my eyes