Billionaire's Marriage Deal

Point

ally simple, nerdy appearance into something. Glamorous. My hair, normally tied back in a practical bun, now cascaded in soft waves around my shoulders. The makeup softene

. But tonight,

othing more. We would show up together, smile for the cameras, exchange polite conversation with the city's élite

e was still stable, but with every passing day in such a condition felt like a race against time. The thought caused my c

-Jonathan with his expression unreadable, as ever. He was perfect in his black

he asked, his to

month. We were playing the roles, but nothing about it felt natural-this const

car, Jonathan's hand resting lightly on my back for appearance' sake. I forced a smile, knowing th

owns and suits, every conversation oozing money and influence. Jonathan moved easily through the room, his hand

iness to him.

er how many ways they dolled me up, I wasn't one of them. I was just playing t

speaker, I found David Harper standing there, softening into me with his eyes. David-an old

ile touching his lips.

uncomfortable, but smiled back. "Dav

g with a potential investor, then turned his attention

t seem to notice. "Okay," I whispered, following Da

inally breathe for the first time that night. David steered me to a

concern etched across his

flash of the fragile weakness that somehow m

you don't have to do this. You

" I whispered. "I

rting, but before I could say anything mo

ath

y etched in every line of his face. His eyes flicked fro

I cried, but i

Jonathan took my arm in a rough grip and pulled me from David as if he was some sort of menace. The str

Jonathan growled at him, h

p, glaring back at Jonathan. "Sh

I winced, but said nothing. What could

ttered, pulling me in t

ce-the tension was so thick it suffocated. My arm pounded in his grip, and I could feel the br

y voice. "You didn't have to do that," I said, my

razor-sharp. "David had no right to tak

n me. "Your wife," I repeated, my voice shaking. "Is that what I am to you

nched. "You knew what this w

," I said, my voice

change, but something else flashed there-anger, frustration

bbing the door of the car and hauling i

ad clutched me, and the unshed tears behind my eyes threatened t

him, he let out a sigh, and his voic

n't ever touch me like that again," I whispe

ter another word. He merely turned and strode away inside, l

period of time, fighting my tears, wond