The Marriage Contract: My Billionaire Ex Wants Me Back

but ordinary. The world sees what we want them to see, but beneath the surface, the ten

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is presence is magnetic, and even I, hi

d on me, guiding me through the crowd with the

rs as we make our way toward the drinks table. "Jus

light but genuine. "And

wer couple," he replies, the glint of humor

things when they're getting too serious. And tonight, with the

ch of them eager to make small talk with the man of the hour. Rex is every bit the charming CEO, effortlessly han

me up and down as she adjusts her diamond-studded necklace. "I'm surprised

oft spot for the unexpected," he says, his voice playful, but I can hear the edge of prid

trying to hide my amuse

this together-playing our parts, but somehow, with each touch, each gl

ll of confidence. "You'll never fig

e've fallen into this routine already. It's only been a few days

lick and smooth, like he's trying a little too hard to sound ca

hold my tongue. It's not his fault he doesn't understand what

ening on my waist for a fraction of a second. "But she's a qu

, poised, charming. "It's been an adjustment, but I'm getting there," I say. "Rex keeps me bu

ing. "Oh, we all know how it is. Every success

face before it vanishes as quickly as it came. "Exactly," he says,

I've never been one for these kinds of events-these high-society masquerades where the masks are as thick a

ropping to a low whisper only I can hear. "Don't let them get t

instead, they bring something els

what's at stake here. This contr

anding together in the sea of people, pretending to be something we're not. Bu

ter, and by the time we're standing on the balcony, away fro

ights twinkling in the distance. "Do you ever get used to this?"

e unreadable. "Used to wh

"Everything. This world. It's like a

"It's not as glamorous as it looks, Vanya. Somet

me tonight, I see the cracks in the facade-the weariness tha

I think he's going to answer, but then

rough the walls of the venue. And in that quiet space, it's like we'r

verything settle around me. This marriage. Th

more unsure of what I'm doing her

his presence filling the space-

hat, the doubts