Shadows beneath the vow

's

ated. Except for the papers in front of me and the pen he had thoughtfully set next to them, Griffin's desk was

resting on the armrests as he leaned back in his chair. Instead of asking me to si

expected to keep up appearances, go to functions, and behave as his wife in all public situa

"This is crazy," but

g gaze locking with mine. "I need someone I

connections beyond this arrangement? In essence, yo

p for this." "You are not the focus of this.

erty?" I lo

r freedom," he said

t go since Nathan's future was at stake. I inhal

, "You have questions." It was a

ected, "I have concerns.

ut apology. "But, you will

u want me to sacrifice myself for six m

ied plainly, his eyes fixed

court. He was aware that I couldn't leave. I wrote my name at the bottom

e folder in his di

smile flickering over

he living room, a place so opulent it could have been featured in a magazine. Every piece of furniture appeared

ny suitcase. It seemed ridiculous to bring

he passed me without a look. "Everyth

pen, and I followed him down the lengthy hallway. With a king-sized bed, a walk-i

nything is missing," he

felt incredibly small. "This

he nodded and turned to go.

ed over his shoulde

o your life. Get them to sign con

lent. Rather, he turned to leave m

ad prepared by a private chef, was delicious, but the ambiance was anything but. The st

p, I started, "So." "Are

brow and repeate

making hazy gestures. "What am I supp

ill abide by the conditions of the agreement. Ivy, appearances are crucia

question was hardly a

is eyes. "We are nothing when we are not pr

nts hurt more than I wanted to

d replied, "Good." "Tomorrow nigh

ped my fork as I choked.

astically. "I'll forward the

sence made it impossible to enjoy the dinner; every bite tasted like cardboard. Feeling mo

e else's life during the contract, the move, and the supper. And Griffin was a riddle I was unable to unravel. There w

to see Griffin standing there. He crossed his ar

stated, "I need you to

deep brea

ast temporarily. It serves as a to

felt like a slap, I had

inscrutable. "Take a nap

racing. The lines were already starting to blur, and the stakes were higher than I had ant