it. I don't want you to sub

ol, collected tone. It was heavier than paper should have been as if t

. Restrictions on appearances in public. Clauses of confidentiality. Monetary arrangements that would keep the art center aflo

detailed," with a litt

his seat. "Success depends on the detai

y? No. Captu

," I murmured, trying t

art center," I murmured, holding onto the contract's edge. "Regardless of what transpires

ile, his face unreadable. At

f him since his acquiesce

u agreeing

ou think I am," he added, hold

I didn't believe him. He offered me a pen across the des

my ribs, urging me to halt, think

sed the pen. He extended a hand and remarked, "Wel

d to acc

emotionless, and cold-exac

ish room at a private courthouse. There was just one witness and Nich

asking, the dress they gave me fit me like a glove. Like the

ay of light in the space. He looked at the officiant with a stony attitude as

exchange vows. With a calm, quick hand, Nicholas placed the ring on

said, "You may

face as our eyes connected. Then he leaned in and gave me the shortes

f the ring pressing down on my finger. A single, abrupt cla

stant. Mrs. Nicholas

's apartment. While Nicholas browsed through his phone, utterly unaffected by the

ze your life this well?" I br

is head. "It's a

, maybe," and looked

as magnificent as I had anticipated. There was no sign of cl

his will be yours," in a tone that made no space for

you for your generosity,

may have been laughter.

alked awa

appearances. An agenda detailing charity activities, galas, and meals where I

s courteous but aloof; he was constantly preoccupied with his business. Unless

mmers of something more profound beneath his cold veneer-a te

in in an instant, leaving me

covered a message hidden beneath my door. Nich

in the librar

n't get rid of the feeling that something wasn't right, a

Long shadows were created on the walls by the flic

the city lights was stark a

me?" I entered the

sion unreadable. "There's so

poke in a somber, e

stion was hardly aud

paused. "Our marriage isn'

had said. As a man I didn't recognize entered the room, his presen

a tone full of laughter. "I suppose

lied before my eyes as the section came to a