Married to Be Repayed, Not Loved

g in front of her as if

hispered, her voice cracking b

on't need to know me. You j

bedient little puppet you parade around in front of investors? The fake

d closed doors, Elora," he said coo

und her rather than submit to a man who thought he could buy her. But another voice-quieter, more desperate-reminded her o

as r

o one. An

sts as she tried to steady herself.

love me when the press is watching. Be silent when I say nothing. And sign a contract bin

a prop to fix

ow, unfazed. "

d, her hands shaking

eak from the people who destroyed you. I

stepfather's smirk-it all flooded back in a single wav

ly... wi

. Her fingers brushed the velv

sign the

ction crossed Kaelan

inside were thick, legal, cold. Elora's gaze skimmed through the words. Three months. Non-disclosure agreemen

a mil

allowe

nned all of thi

darkened. "I

d just above the line. "You said this would h

y word," he

s the kind of man whos

ly. "But I do strike you as the kind of man who ge

eath h

si

er, she felt something cold set

older without a w

egins

ing glittered under the low light-a massive emerald-cut diamond surro

er left hand without asking.

t per

urse

everything,"

hed. "I don't leave

nger felt unreal. Binding. Beaut

penthouse tonight. My driver will pick you up

I want to kee

d to ice. "You

ep back. "You

er-of-fact. "And if you want to survive them, y

rrowed. "You're

ddenly sharper. "Enjoyment

For a moment, his reflection in the glass lo

ned back, the a

confuse necessity with affection.

in her chest. She

because you'r

er mouth went dry, and for a mom

etta

she'd just signed away t

ting herself to say anything. But just as her hand touche

one more

fr

onight. She thinks the engagemen