MARRIED BY MISTAKE

he was when she woke up to sunlight pourin

ality s

e. Leon's rules

ty deposit, she had hardly slept at all. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard Leon sa

onfronting whatever new nightmare thi

t-shirt-the penthouse became silent. On the chilly marble flooring, her feet were bare.

. This time, it's navy, a clean white shirt, and no tie yet. The shower had left h

a had crawled ou

he said, lingerin

dishevelled bedhead down her bare feet, staying th

her response, he took out a

ou." "Pick one. You d

ed a grin. "C

using exact, effective motions that gave the i

the cup. Only just barely. Just enough

led the coffee a

hed an e

t room is perfect. I just don't sleep well in new places." Aria took a sip and ne

anything." He leaned against the counter, coffee cup in hand, studying her like she was a puzzle he couldn't solve. "Mar

of paperwor

s currently post-nuptial. Provisions protecting c

ant your m

keep s

rying to claim half my fortune when this ends. From me trying to control yours." His eyes held h

th something Aria couldn't quite identify. Did he know? Had he researched her? Discovered

ying off until I'm fifty. That's my fortune." Leon's expression flickered. "Then the prenup will be simple. What's yours stays yours. What's mine stays mine. When we

wil

is suit jacket. "All morning, I have meetings. At eleven

. "This isn't negotiable, Aria. The gala is in five days. You need appropria

t to be in d

d himself into his jacket. "Everyone wins if you play the part convincingly. We'll

a detested the fact

phia and I are

started for the el

ria?"

ate it. Most women enjoy u

he remark nevertheless hurt. The elevator doors

coffee, she stood by herself in his enormous kitchen

showed up with a leather briefca

aced the briefcase o

first night

people live like this?" "You get used to it." "I don't want to get used to it." Marcus's smile s

eal." He produced

specify parameters for the future breakup of the marriage

was obvious: Leon intended to ensure she couldn't exert any influence over his finances

ng the appearance of a happy marriage. About not speaking to

ancy, additional legal proceedings will determine custody arrang

p. "He thinks I might try

tormented. Vanessa once claimed to have been pregnant. Tried to u

ot Van

it. Marcus bent over. "Look, I'm not attempting to justify him. This is

for every possibility." Marcus pulled out a

untangled. Like Leon was already planning his escape before they'd even started. "What if I said no? Refused to sig

oice." "You always have a choice. But some choices have better outcomes than others." Marcus met her eyes. "Sign the papers, Aria. Protec

n, the one who had to prove she wasn't a liar or a schemer or a gold-digger. But what wa

e documents, and stood. "For what it's wort

t feel

ter making his way to the elevato

and more of a decent human being." Despite everything, Aria laughed. "Does he know you

around, M

shut, leaving Aria

Her actual life-her job, her roommates, her meagre exi

hone. An unknown n

ophia. I'll be there to take you shop

he at least th

Sophia proved

, genuine warmth, and blonde highlights. She was perhaps thirty year

ribed!" Sophia embraced Aria as if they were lo

ed me?" Stunn

best boutiques in the city and not let you say no to anything." Sophia took hold of Aria'

unny way of

It's like witnessing a glacier trying to feel em

lly at seven this morning to make sure I took care of you." That stopped Aria cold. "He called you at sev

e's worried about you, even if

in as the elevator fell. Was L

oncern about how she would

as jus

ey got into a town vehicle

kles in her eyes. "I am aware of a few ex

out you needing more than one suitcase's worth of belongings." Aria's face burned. He'd noticed. Of cours

s from him. They all engaged in gaming. She gave Aria's hand a firm squeeze. "He has never contacted me at seven in the morning to ask if I would be okay

ed at the earnestness

verything now. Which style do you prefer? What gives y

ut her time in college, her work in marketing, her passion for mystery books, and awful reality TV

rmal by the time they

a runway, the store was daunting. Sophia, however, pulled dresses, blouses,

thing. "Avoid examining the price tags. Jus

ressing room. She nearly retreated as she gazed at herself in t

ad said: "Take up space." Mak

the first pie

neckline barely noticeable. Aria hardly recognized the

led from outside. Aria stepped out. Sophia's eyes went wide. "Oh. Oh wow." She circled Aria slowly. "That

the first time since this nightmare started, she felt something other than small and trapped. She

hose things that somehow balanced Leon's world's demands with Aria's aesthetic. Silk blouses,

ear. So m

s," Aria protested as they loa

beginning." Sophia grinned. "Wait until you se

hone buzzed. She checked it and smiled. "Speaking of which, Leon wants to know how it's going." "What did you tell him?" Sophia typed

You might be b

rds. For a man who hated

. Aria felt overburdened once more as Sophia

everything," as she made her way to Aria'

ay, gazing at Aria's open b

ce went soft. "This is everything you brought?" "I travel light." "This isn't tra

urviving. That's different from fine." Sophia set down the bags. "But you know what? That ends today. We're putting all this new stuff away, and you're going to wa

. "Now let's make sure Leon's ja

attire here, leisure attire there, and a gala ensemble at the forefront. She m

preciate their work when they

the money, or the clothes. It involves determining whether or not you are worth the space you occupy. She gave Aria a shoulder

s a CEO with billions

nd didn't immediately fall at his feet begging for his a

ld answer, the

ng the corridor. "Sophi

room!" Sophia r

tie loose, Leon materialized in the doorway. He looked across the room, taking i

a productive da

." His inspection made Aria

nd no self-control." However

udget you gave me," So

turned to Aria. "Did you g

r seen," Sophia responded on her beh

ppropriate." "She'll look stunning," Sophia c

d with something. "

s gaze on Aria wasn't. There was a n

art began

. "Leon, treat your wife with kindness. If you need anyt

e bedroom with their new clothes an

ophia, for the clothing. I am aware that y

think tha

her head u

he works." Her stomach dropped. "You what?" "It's standard procedure for anyone entering my life." His eyes held hers. "You have thr

mes." Aria's face burned with humiliation and r

s a dis

s treated like a criminal by you. Looked at me as if I were a threat.

o destroy my life," in a firm voic

uestions. Thi

rackled with energy as he drew nearer. "Yo

to give up, she

created, you alone prevented your existing business from going bankrupt." His gaze blazed into hers. "You're not a defenceles

d. "You... you thi

more difficult for me to continue detesting you as I learn more about y

arnished confessio

gain." He turned and walked out, leaving Aria standing in her new closet full of expensive clothes, her heart racing and her mind spi